Fee and Refund Policy

Who does this policy apply to?

This policy relates to all current and prospective students.

1. The College reserves the right to cancel any student enrolments prior to the date of course commencement and all fees will be refunded



2. The deposit is not refundable (only in the case of direct student visa refusal) see point 6



3. Requests for refunds must be made in writing, addressed to the Principal and submitted with relevant documentary evidence. All refunds will be made by cheque or electronic fund transfer to the nominated bank account of the person who paid them, within 21 days.



4. Where an applicant cancels their enrolment giving more than 28 days notice prior to course commencement, all pre-paid fees are fully refunded less the 30% deposit (hairdressing), or the first term’s deposit (business) within 21 days of receipt of notification of cancellation of the course. Cancellation must be made in writing.



5. Where an applicant cancels his or her course giving less than 28 days notice prior to course commencement, no refunds will be given, including if the course commenced already (in case of visa refusal during course – student on a payment plan).



6. A full refund of all tuition fees paid by an international student will be refunded if the initial student visa application is rejected. The request for the refund must be made in writing and it’s mandatory that the visa refusal letter of DIAC is forwarded with the refund application to the Principal of AHBC; the application for refund must be made no later than four weeks after the visa refusal and must be addressed to the Principal.



7. Please note the VISA must indicate that AHBC COE’s were used for the application alone or in a package.



8. In the event that a student abandons their course without formally cancelling their enrolment with the College, no refund will be issued, which includes all monies paid or scheduled to the paid to AHBC, including monies paid for OSHC. The balance of fees owing will be invoiced to the student. Course abandonment is classified as absence without permission. Abandoning a course may lead to the College reporting you to the Secretary of DEEWR through PRISMS.



9. If the provider (AHBC) defaults for the following reasons a full refund of all monies paid to AHBC will be refunded within 14 days. (a) The course does not start on the agreed starting day, (b) the course is not provided in full or (c) AHBC cannot deliver the courses.



10.   In the event that a student defaults, no refund will be issued to the student either before or after commencement of their course. Student default is: (a) student failed to pay an amount he or she was liable to pay to AHBC directly or indirectly, in order to undertake the course, (b) the student breached a condition of his or her student visa or conditions of enrolment of AHBC. (Full explanations of student breaches are in the student handbook).



11.   Course fees are non transferable.



12.   Students have the options to pay the course in full to receive a discount as dictated by the College should the student choose to select to pay in full and change their mind with regards to their studies there will be no refund.



13.   This agreement, and the availability of complaints and appeals processes, does not remove the right of the student to take legal action under Australia’s consumer protection laws



14.   Please keep a copy of this Cancellation and refund policy for your records and own reference.



15.   If the visa application is withdrawn, there is no refund from AHBC.



16.   The $250 enrolment fee is not refundable in any circumstance.



17.   Current fees may increase by a maximum of 3% over the enrolment period for each course.

Tuition Assurance Scheme

To protect the interests of international students, the College is a member of the Overseas Student Tuition Assurance Scheme (OSTAS). Under this scheme, if for any reason the College is unable to provide a refund or place the student in an alternative course, the OSTAS administered by the Australian Counsel for Private Education and Training (ACPET) will place the student in a suitable alternative course at no extra cost to the student. If ACPET cannot place the student in a suitable alternative course, the ESOS Assurance Fund Manager will attempt to place the student in a suitable alternative course, or if this is not possible, the student will be eligible for a refund as calculated by the Fund Manager.

Disclosure of Information

The College acknowledges and respects the privacy of individuals. We advise that the information you provide is "personal information" as defined by the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998. This information is collected for the purposes of processing your application or enquiry, keeping you informed of upcoming events and assisting us in improving our educational service. This information includes but is not limited to your personal contact details, course enrolment details and changes, and the circumstances of any suspected breach of a student visa condition. The College may be required to provide personal information to external organisations including the Australian Government and designated authorities in order to provide specific services and as required by law. This may include, but is not limited to sharing information with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), Australian council for Private Education and Training (ACPET), the Tuition Assurance Scheme and ESOS Assurance Fund Manager, state and national regulatory bodies including VETAB(NSW) and with College representatives/agents in order to provider overseas students with services. This information includes personal contact details, course enrolment details and changes and the circumstances of any suspected breach by the student of a student visa condition (National Code 2007). The College may also disclose information if it is reasonably believed to be necessary to prevent or lessen a serious threat to life or health of any person.

Media Release

At times during the course, staff/contractors may take photos/videos for use in promotional activity. These images will remain the property of AH+BC. Some of the media may be used for promotional editorials in public and professional publications and other types of media.

Minimum Entry Age

International students must be at least 18 years old at time of course commencement.

Employment Policy

Every effort is made to assist students in finding employment after graduation but the College can make no guarantee of job placement.

Suspension or Expulsion of Studies

The Principal (or delegated nominee) may suspend a student or recommend expulsion as described in the student handbook. This includes suspension or expulsion as a result of unsatisfactory academic progress; plagiarism; facilitating other students to cheat on assessments; and student behaviour that intentionally disrupts or interferes with education, administrative or operational activities.

Complaints and Appeals

Complaints and appeals procedure is available to you at anytime, please ensure you have read the Complaints and Appeals policy provided to you in the prospective student pack.

Course Progress & Attendance

Students are required to attend college and complete their course within the expected duration as stated on their COE. AH&B College has implemented the DEEWR-DIAC Course Progress Policy and Procedures for CRICOS Providers of VET Courses. Students need to attend classes and lectures as per their timetable and individual course requirements to attain satisfactory academic progress throughout their course.

The college will implement the Academic Intervention Strategy should a student be deemed as not meeting satisfactory course progress.

Student Welfare and Support Services

The welfare of our students is extremely important to us at AH+BC. For this reason we encourage the students to advise us of any difficulties they may be having whether they are personal or course related and if these issues are affecting their enjoyment of the course of the outcome of their learning. We will aid all students in need of personal counselling to seek the assistance they require and will put them in touch with a suitable external welfare or guidance service. Students that have any special needs, including language, literacy, learning, mobility, visual impairment, or hearing, please notify staff prior to enrolment to allow us to cater for your needs. Students seeking extra tuition must request so in writing to the Director of Studies and Compliance. Transfer Policy - Standard 7 of the National Code

The Prospective Student Letter from the Principal clearly states AH+BC obligations under Standard 7 of not knowingly enrolling students whom has not completed 6 months of study under their Principal course of study, except in certain circumstances further explained in Standard 7. AH+BC will issue you an offer letter which you should take to your current RTO to request release from your studies. AH+BC do not require payment of fees at this stage of the enrolment process. Please do not pay any fees to AH+BC if you are unsure if you require a letter of release from your studies - seek advice from your current RTO before intending to transfer from your current RTO to AH+BC.

AH+BC will take reasonable steps to check whether a student is enrolled with another provider before completing the enrolment. Please visit www.deewr.gov.au or www.immi.gov.au for more information on transferring between providers or any other visa related questions. Subject to Government Guidelines and policy, students may be transferred to another institution. No Transfer of tuition fees will be made to other institutions or between courses at the College after course commencement.