Commencing International Student Fee and Refund Principles

The International Student Fee and Refund Principles listed below apply to all commencing international students who accept an Offer of Admission to study at UNE regardless of whether you progress to formally enrol at the University. These Principles and the availability of complaints and appeals processes does not remove your right to take action under Australia’s consumer protection laws.

Definitions

Principles

Principles – Enrolment and Fees
1.1           In accepting your formal UNE Offer, you agree, as an international student, to:
1.1.1       Pay all tuition fees as directed by the University to maintain your enrolment and Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
1.1.2       Commence your course on the start date listed in this UNE Offer. You accept that if you fail to do this and you have not been formally granted a deferment for your course, your offer of admission will lapse, your CoE will be cancelled, you may incur additional fees, and you may be required to submit a new admission application to the University.
1.2           You accept that all tuition fees and OSHC must be received directly by the University in Australian dollars via the official payment options outlined in this Offer.
1.3           You accept that, unless otherwise specified in this Offer, you will not receive your CoE until the University has received:
1.3.1       The initial trimester course fee (half the published annual tuition fee for your course)
1.3.2       OSHC (if applicable) to cover the duration of your student visa
1.3.3       Any other fees advised in the Offer
1.4           You accept that as a commencing international student you are not eligible for a payment plan or extension of time to pay tuition fees under any circumstances.

Principles – Refunds Overview
2.1           If, as a commencing student, you are eligible for a refund of any tuition fees paid to the University, you may apply for a refund by completing and submitting the Request for Fee Refund – Commencing International Student Only form to UNE International.
2.2           Applications for refunds are assessed strictly in accordance with the Commencing International Student Fee and Refund Principles in this Offer.
2.3           If approved, refunds are paid in Australian dollars directly to the applicant or to the person who paid the fees on behalf of the student (for example, parents, formal guardian, and official sponsor).

Principles – Refunds For Student Visa Refusal
3.1           If your application for a Student Visa is rejected by Home Affairs, UNE will retain $500 of the tuition fees paid but will refund all other unused tuition fees.
3.2           If your Student Visa is rejected by Home Affairs on the basis of fraud, you will not receive a refund of any tuition fees.

Principles – Refunds Where Student Defaults
4.1           If you are an on campus student (and have not received a Student Visa rejection), and you do not commence your course on the start date listed in this Offer, and you have not previously withdrawn from your course with approval from the University, your CoE (if applicable) will be cancelled and you will be entitled to a refund of any unused tuition fees, except that UNE will retain AUD$5,000 to cover administrative and processing costs.
4.2           If you are an online student and you do not commence your studies on the start date listed in this Offer, and you have not previously withdrawn from your studies with approval from the University, you will be entitled to a refund of any unused tuition fees as follows:
4.2.1       For full degree online students, UNE will retain AUD$5,000 to cover administrative and processing costs.
4.2.2       For non-award online students, UNE will retain AUD$500 to cover administrative and processing costs.

Principles – Refunds Where UNE Defaults or Offer is Withdrawn
5.1           In the unlikely event that UNE is unable to provide the course listed in your Offer (Provider Default), you are entitled to a refund of all tuition fees already paid but unused unless:
5.1.1       You have withdrawn or discontinued prior to the day of the University’s default; or
5.1.2       You have accepted another offer in a University course of study; or
5.1.3       The circumstances specified in 9.1.2 and 9.1.3 of these Principles apply to you.

Principles – Refunds Where Student Obtains Permanent Residency
6.1           If you gain Australian Permanent Residency (must be officially granted, not pending) after you commence your studies as an international student but before the census date for your initial trimester, you may be entitled to a refund according to these Principles depending on the date you advise UNE of your visa status change.
6.2           The University cannot change your status to that of Permanent Resident after the census date in any given trimester under any circumstances.

Principles – Refunds in Exceptional Circumstances
7.1           UNE may consider an application for a refund in circumstances other than those set out in these Principles but only if you can demonstrate and provide satisfactory evidence of compassionate and compelling circumstances beyond your control.

Principles – Refunds of OSHC
8.1           You accept that must make your own arrangements to apply for a refund of any OSHC directly with the OSHC provider unless you receive a visa rejection from Home Affairs, in which case, UNE will arrange the refund of the OSHC.

Principles – No Refunds
9.1           You accept that you are not entitled to a refund if:
9.1.1       You advise UNE of your withdrawal from a course (or unit for Non-Award students) and request a refund after the census date of your initial trimester of study.
9.1.2       Department of Home Affairs cancels your visa for any reason, including a breach of a condition of your visa;
9.1.3       Any documents or information submitted by you on or your behalf as part of your application for admission or your Student Visa application are, or later found to be fraudulent.