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9. Student refunds
What You Need to Know
TAFE Queensland may provide you with a refund of Tuition Fees in a number of circumstances where it’s not possible for you to continue with your studies.
Rules for VET Domestic Students
A refund of Tuition Fees will be provided in the following circumstances:
Reason for Refund | Refund Payable | Refund Administration Fee | Additional Requirements | |
Cancellation by TAFE Queensland | ||||
TAFE Queensland cancels a qualification or unit(s) of competency | Full refund | No | Applies where TAFE Queensland is unable to place the student in an equivalent qualification or unit. A refund application is not required | |
A student’s enrolment is cancelled by TAFE Queensland as a result of academic or behavioural misconduct under the TAFE Queensland Student Rules and Policies | On or before the unit start of study or, for VET Student Loans eligible students, the Census date | Full refund | No |
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After unit start of study or, for VET Student Loans eligible students, after the Census date | No refund | n/a |
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Cancellation by Employer (Career Start - Apprenticeship and Traineeship Students) | ||||
A Career Start funded student (apprentice/trainee) has a unit(s) of competency cancelled by the employer | Full refund of fees paid by students | No | Fees paid by employer under a sponsorship arrangement will not be refunded | |
Withdrawal by Student | ||||
Student accepts a place offered through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC), or a higher education institution for the current semester (supported by evidence of acceptance of offer) | Full refund | Yes | Applications must be submitted before the assessment for the unit ends. Supporting documentation must be submitted with the refund request | |
A student is approved to withdraw from a qualification or unit/s of competency to re-enrol in another qualification or unit/s of competency within TAFE Queensland | On or before the course or unit start of study | Refund amount will be credited to the fees owing for the later enrolment or refunded if fees for new enrolment are being covered by FEE-HELP or VET Student Loans | No |
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After course or unit start of study | No refund | n/a |
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A VET Student Loan student is approved to withdraw from a qualification or unit/s of competency to re-enrol in another qualification or unit/s of competency within TAFE Queensland
| On or before census date | Full refund / re-credit | No |
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After census date | No refund / re-credit | n/a |
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A Career Start funded student (apprentice / trainee) withdraws from a unit(s) of competency | On or before the course or unit start of study | Full refund | No |
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After course or unit start of study | Pro-rated refund | No |
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A VET Student Loan student withdraws from a unit(s) of competency | On or before census date | Full refund / re-credit | No |
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After census date | No refund / re-credit | n/a |
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A student cancels their enrolment in a qualification or unit(s) of competency | On or before the course or unit start of study | Full refund of units paid | Yes | Refund Administration Fee does not apply if a tuition fee can be applied to a later enrolment |
After course or unit start of study | No refund | n/a |
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A student cancels their enrolment in a short course less than one day before it commences. | On or before course commencement | Full refund of units paid | Yes | Refund Administration Fee does not apply if a tuition fee can be applied to a later enrolment |
After course commencement | No refund | n/a |
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Credit Transfer | ||||
Student who is enrolled in unit(s) of competency for which they have applied for a credit transfer | Application made no later than one day before the course or unit start of study | Full refund if the credit transfer application is approved | No |
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Application on or after the course or unit start of study | No refund | n/a |
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VET Student Loan student who is enrolled in unit(s) of competency for which they have applied for a credit transfer | Application made on or before census date | Full refund if the credit transfer application is approved | No |
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Application made after census date | No refund / re-credit | n/a |
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Cancellation of RPL Applications | ||||
A Career Start funded student (apprentice/trainee) cancels their Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) application | Prior to the establishment of students RPL Training and Assessment (T&A) Plan | Full refund | Yes |
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After the establishment of students RPL T&A Plan | No refund | n/a |
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A VET Student Loan student cancels their Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) application | On or before census date | Full refund / re-credit | No |
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After census date | No refund / re-credit | n/a |
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For all other students, a student cancels their RPL application | Before or after the commencement of the unit/s
| No refund | n/a |
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Overpayment | ||||
A student has overpaid fees payable (including where TAFE Queensland has overcharged and corrected a fee) |
| Full refund | No |
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Rules for Higher Education Domestic Students
A refund of Tuition Fees will be provided in the following circumstances:
Reason for Refund | Refund Payable (or re-credit of HELP loan, if applicable) | Refund Administration Fee | Additional Requirements | |
Cancellation by TAFE Queensland | ||||
TAFE Queensland cancels a qualification or unit(s) of study | Full refund | No | Where TAFE Queensland is unable to place the student in an equivalent qualification or unit | |
A student’s offer of a place in a qualification or unit(s) of study is withdrawn by TAFE Queensland | Full refund | No |
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A student’s enrolment is cancelled by TAFE Queensland as a result of academic or behavioural misconduct under the TAFE Queensland Student Rules and Policies | On or before census date | Full refund | No |
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After census date | No refund | n/a |
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Credit Transfer | ||||
Student who is enrolled in unit(s) of competency for which they have applied for a credit transfer | Application made on or before census date | Full refund if the credit transfer application is approved | No |
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Application made after census date | No refund / re-credit | n/a |
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Withdrawal by Student | ||||
A student withdraws from their enrolment in a qualification or unit(s) of study | On or before census date | Full refund / re-credit | No |
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After census date | No refund | n/a |
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Rules for International Students
A refund of Tuition Fees will be provided in the following circumstances:
Reason for Refund | Refund Amount |
Cancellation by TAFE Queensland: | |
Confirmation of Enrolment rescinded by TAFE Queensland due to providing false or misleading documents | Full refund of Tuition Fees paid minus a $500 Refund Administration Fee |
A student’s enrolment is cancelled by TAFE Queensland as a result of academic or behavioural misconduct under the TAFE Queensland Student Rules and Policies | Full refund of Tuition Fees paid for future study semesters / study periods minus a $100 Refund Administration Fee. No refund for current or previous semesters / study periods. |
Withdrawal by Student | |
Withdrawal prior to acceptance of Written Agreement | Full refund of Tuition Fees paid |
Withdrawal from course more than four (4) weeks before course commencement date | 80% Tuition Fee deposit 100% of Tuition Fees paid in excess of Tuition Fee deposit |
Withdrawal from course commencement: 0-4 weeks before course commencement date | 40% Tuition Fee deposit 100% of Tuition Fees paid in excess of Tuition Fee deposit |
Withdrawal on or after course commencement date | No refund of Tuition Fees paid for current or previous semesters / study periods. Full refund of Tuition Fees paid for future study semesters / study periods minus a $100 Refund Administration Fee. |
Withdraws on or after the official start date of the semester / study period due to special circumstances (evidence required and subject to approval) | 75% of Pro-rated Tuition Fees |
Visa rejection: | |
Visa rejection before course commencement | Full refund of Course Fees paid minus the lesser of: a) $500; or b) 5% of Course Fees paid |
Visa rejection after course commencement | Pro-rated Tuition Fee |
Credit Transfer: | |
Successful credit transfer application (where application was submitted prior to course commencement) | Full refund of Tuition Fees paid for the relevant unit(s) of the course |
Provider Default: | |
TAFE Queensland 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. Students have the right to accept the place in the alternative program or take a refund. | Full refund of Tuition Fees paid |
* For International students refunds will also consist of a refund of all Additional Fees if you withdraw prior to the course commencement date (or later date as agreed by TAFE Queensland).
* Refund Administration Fee refers to the prescribed Domestic Student Refund Administration Fee and International Student Refund Administration Fee in the Student Fee Schedule, to contribute to the reimbursement of costs in TAFE Queensland processing student refund applications.
Exceptions
In exceptional cases of special circumstances outside of these rules, TAFE Queensland may consider a student refund application supported by independent supporting documentation. In cases of special circumstances, TAFE Queensland will determine the refund amount.
When considering whether special circumstances should be recognised and applied to student refund applications, TAFE Queensland must be satisfied that the circumstances:
- Are beyond the student’s control;
- Did not make full impact until on or after the unit/course commencement date; and
- Made it impracticable for the student to complete the requirements of the unit or course in the period during which the person undertook, or was to undertake the unit or course.
Examples of special circumstances include:
- Medical circumstances (illness or injury), supported by a doctor’s statement;
- Family/personal circumstances, supported by a statement from a TAFE Queensland counsellor or Director of Faculty; and
- Course related circumstances, supported by a statement from the Director of Faculty.
What You Need to Know
Student Refund Applications
If you are withdrawing from a unit or course, or making any changes to your enrolment, you may be eligible for a refund.
To apply for a refund, domestic students should complete the Request for Withdrawal and/or Refund Form in the Student Portal. International students should submit an International Student Course Withdrawal Form and Student Refund Application to your TAFE Queensland region.
All student refund applications must be made within:
- 12 months of the close of study date (for domestic students); and
- 6 months of the close of study date for the semester, or study period for ELICOS courses, that the refund applies (for International students).
Student Refund Decisions
Your TAFE Queensland region will make its decision within 20 business days (or process and pay the refund within 28 calendar days for International students), (or 14 days in cases of TAFE Queensland default) of receiving all the information required to support your application.
If you are not eligible for a student refund, your TAFE Queensland region will formally notify you of its refund decision in writing.
If you do receive a student refund, TAFE Queensland will provide you with the refund to your nominated bank account.
Reviews of Student Refund Decisions
What You Need to Know
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your student refund request TAFE Queensland will provide you with the option of requesting an internal review. Your internal review request must be made within 20 business days.
TAFE Queensland will provide written notice of the appeal decision within 20 business days of the internal review request being received.
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the internal review you may request an external appeal via the Queensland Ombudsman.
Useful Forms
Student Refund Application (PDF, 123KB)
Student Portal Form - Request for Withdrawal/and or Refund (Domestic Students)
International Student Course Withdrawal Form (International Students)