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  2. International
  3. Before Starting
  4. Policies and Responsibilities
  5. Withdrawals and Refunds

Requests to Withdraw

International students who wish to withdraw from their course must submit a Request for Withdrawal / Deferral / Release form to the International Unit.

Staff from the International Unit will provide advice and guidance to the international student to explore options to support the student’s continued engagement in study and address any concerns with the student’s experience.

International students who withdraw from a package of TAFE SA courses may be eligible to exit early with a lower level course. This shall be assessed at the time of the withdrawal application by the relevant education unit. 

International students seeking to transfer to another provider, that may require a release must review the relevant information. 

Tuition Fee Refunds

To apply for a refund, the international student is required to submit by email to the International Unit a fully completed Request for Refund of International Student Tuition Fees form and, if applicable, a Request for Withdrawal / Deferral / Release form.

The date of the notification for Request for Refund of International Student Tuition Fees form is the date which the completed form is received by the International Unit. If the email is received outside of business hours the receipt date will be deemed as 9:00 am on the next business day. If the form is considered incomplete (for example missing a signature, details, or supporting documentation) then the date will be when the missing content is received.

Refund applications shall not be processed if the signature on the Request for Refund of International Student Tuition Fees form does not match the signature shown on other documents provided by the international student for admission to TAFE SA, unless the student has provided valid reasons for this.

If the refund is required to be paid into any other account other than the originating bank account, then a permission letter and passport copy (to verify identification) from the originating bank account holder must accompany the Request for Refund of International Student Tuition Fees form to authorise the payment of funds to a different bank account.

Tuition fee refunds shall be given in accordance with the International Student Tuition Fee Refund Table

Any outstanding debts shall be deducted from the eligible refund amount.

International Student Tuition Fee Refund Table

Tuition Fee Refunds for International Students
Reason for Refund of Course Fees Paid Refund Payable by TAFE SA
Visa unsuccessful (proof required) – non commencement
100% refund less A$200 administration fee.  
Visa refusal (proof required) but student has commenced studies. 
Pro-rata refund of unspent tuition fees less A$200 Administration Fee. Student will be charged for the week(s) student actually attended, in accordance with the program charge rate. This will be calculated and charged as weekly cost for the used portion 
Student’s visa application is delayed by circumstances beyond the student’s control and is not ready in time for the student to begin the program for which they applied; and the student presents independent documentation or evidence of the delay (this circumstance does not cover a visa delay caused by the student’s own action or inaction).
100% refund less A$200 Administration Fee

Student does not meet the Course Admission Requirements, or the conditions set out in the Letter of Offer
100% refund less A$300 Administration Fee
Student provides false or misleading information
No refund payable
Withdrawal prior to commencement: 10 weeks or more (70 or more calendar days) before the official start date of the term or semester
100% refund less A$300 Administration Fee
Withdrawal prior to commencement: Between 4-10 weeks (29-69 calendar days) before the official start date of the term or semester
75% refund less A$300 Administration Fee
Withdrawal prior to commencement: Less than 4 weeks (1-28 calendar days) before the official start date of the term or semester
50% refund less A$300 Administration Fee
If the student withdraws on or after the official start date of the term or semester
 No refund applies
Student withdraws on or after the official start date of the term or semester due to compassionate reasons
75% of unspent fees, less A$300 Administration Fee (medical certificates will be required)
Student who changes course after commencement 
Unspent funds may be transferred towards the new course if approved. No refund payable to student, including should there be a difference between the previous course and new course tuition fees
Late arrival of student or non-attendance at class or classes
 No refund for missed classes
Breach of student visa conditions, visa cancellation, or failure to comply with conditions of enrolment and TAFE SA student related policies
 No refund
Change of visa type, from a student visa to any other type of visa, after commencement of studies 
 No refund
Student applies for refund, defers study, then reapplies for refund for following semester
New refund request will be processed using the timelines of the original refund application and not the new refund application.
Student applies for deferral, then does not enrol, and requests a refund. 
Refund processed using the timelines of the original deferral request. 
Successful course credit or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment reducing study load but not duration
Refund calculated in accordance with the program charge rate on the actual course credit assessment weeks less a A$300 Administration Fee (for RPL only)
Student 'fast tracks' and completes their course in a shorter time than what is specified in the Letter of Offer
No refund as tuition fees are for the whole qualification.  Students need to be aware that the COE will be cancelled and the Department of Home Affairs notified of early completion of studies
Provider Default
TAFE SA is unable to deliver the agreed course in full, or to start the course on the commencement date. In these circumstances the student may be offered enrolment in an alternative program at no extra cost.  Students have the right to accept the place in the alternative program or take full refund of the tuition fee paid
 100% refund

 

A notice of withdrawal due to illness or disability, death of a close family member or political or civil events that warrants a withdrawal may be accepted as grounds for partial refund of fees. Supporting documentary evidence must be provided.

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