Student Refund Procedure

1. Purpose

1.1. This procedure describes the processes under which Adelaide University determines refunds to students and the processes for managing student disputes and administrative errors in relation to refunds of fees, student contributions and loans.

1.2. This procedure should be read in conjunction with the Fees and Loans Policy. 

2. Scope 

2.1. This procedure applies to all Adelaide University students.

3. Procedure

Student Refunds

3.1. A refund can only occur if a student has a credit on their Adelaide University student account.

3.2. A refund will only be processed after all other financial obligations to Adelaide University have been paid, including (but not limited to) library fines, student loans and accommodation charges.

3.3. All refund payments are made in Australian Dollars (AUD) and directly into the student’s nominated bank account, except where:

3.3.1. The student is supported by a recognised third-party sponsor and that sponsor is entitled to the refund (as per the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS) s.47D(3)(b)).

3.3.2. Refunds cannot be paid to a bank in a country subject to financial sanctions.

3.3.3. The refund relates to a commencing international student's acceptance fee, the refund will go back to the original bank account, credit/debit card.

3.4. Refunds will not be made for student contributions, tuition fees or Student Services and Amenities Fees paid by students who withdrew after a study period Census date. Those students are liable for the full amount of the tuition fee, student contribution amount, or student services and amenities fee.

3.5. In special circumstances, eligible students who withdrew after a census date can apply to have their HELP debts remitted, or up-front student contributions or tuition fees refunded.

3.6. For domestic students and continuing international students, a refund of tuition fees and student services fees automatically applies when:

3.6.1. The offer of a place has been withdrawn.

3.6.2. Adelaide University is unable to provide the program in which the student enrolled.

3.6.3. The student has been precluded, suspended or expelled from their program and paid their fees in advance of being notified.

Commencing International Students

3.7. A refund of the First Tuition Payment applies:

3.7.1. When the student is refused a student visa and provides documentary evidence of such refusal, the refund amount is calculated in accordance with the ESOS (Calculation of Refund) Specification 2014.

3.7.2. When the offer of a place is withdrawn by Adelaide University, unless it is withdrawn due to incomplete or incorrect information supplied by or on behalf of the student in which case any refund will be entirely at Adelaide University’s discretion.

3.7.3. In the event that Adelaide University is unable to provide the program or start the program on the agreed start date.

3.7.4. When an international student is studying an online program outside of Australia and withdraws from their courses before census date.

3.8. Apart from the circumstances detailed above (3.7), all other refund conditions for commencing international students are provided with the offer of admission.

3.9. Refunds of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) will only be processed where Adelaide University has arranged OSHC on behalf of a student, and the student has not arrived in Australia. If a student has arrived in Australia, they will need to contact their OSHC provider directly to arrange any refund of their remaining OSHC policy.

Offshore students

3.10. Refunds for offshore students will be made according to the terms of the agreement between Adelaide University and the offshore partner.

4. Definitions 

4.1. Census Date is the date within each study period by which a student's enrolment must be finalised for a course, and applicable fees and charges are incurred. It is the last day that a student can withdraw from a course and have it deleted from their academic record.

It is also the deadline for various financial requirements, including submission of request for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELP form; submission of request for FEE-HELP Assistance; payment of any up-front payment of student contribution; obtaining a HECS-HELP loan; or supplying a Tax File Number.

4.2. First Tuition Payment is the money that international students pay towards their tuition to accept their Offer of Admission to Adelaide University.

4.3. HELP (The Higher Education Loans Program) is an Australian Government loan program to help eligible students pay their student contributions (HECS-HELP), tuition fees (FEE-HELP), overseas study expenses (OS-HELP) and their student services and amenities fee (SA-HELP). These loans are repaid through the Australian Taxation System.

4.4. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is compulsory for prospective and current international student visa holders undertaking formal studies in Australia and for their dependents (including spouses and children under 18). 

4.5. The Student Services and Amenities Fee is charged to students for student services and non-academic amenities, such as sporting and recreational activities, employment and career advice, childcare, financial advice and food services in accordance with Higher Education Support Act 2003.

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