- For the purpose of interpreting this policy, ACAS shall also refer to ACAS member colleges.
- This section does not apply to FeeHelp students, for which a separate policy applies.
- ACAS levies the following kinds of fees:
- a non-refundable application fee
- tuition fees
- RPL fees
- RPL portfolio review fees
- late fees
- appeal fees
- a fee for duplicate qualifications, statements of attainment, and transcripts
- re-admission fees for lapsed students
- debt collection fees
- ACAS and its member colleges also reserve the rights to introduce the following fees, subject to prior written announcement to students:
- upon acceptance, a non-refundable facilities fee, which may be calculated either on a one-time payment basis, a per semester basis, or a per course basis.
- an annual re-enrolment fee
- a separate fee for language assessments conducted whether during the application process or subsequently.
- a fee payable by students for viewing their file.
- a graduation ceremony fee.
- When organizations order on-site courses, ACAS has the right to require a 10% non-refundable deposit.
- Fees paid later than the commencement of the unit shall incur an additional late fee.
- The late fee for the first two months will be 5%.
- If payment has not been made in the first two months, the late fee will be 10% for that semester (or six monthly period).
- Late fees will thereafter accrue at 10% for each six months or part thereof, compounded each six months or part thereof, until paid.
- The Principal of the college in which the student in enrolled has the right to discontinue students who are in arrears.
- Discontinuation of a student does not reduce the students fees or affect the way in which late fees accrue.
- The Executive Committee must approve any deviation for this policy.
- Fee increases shall normally take effect immediately upon approval by the Board with the following exceptions:
- Except where otherwise stated, member college have the right to set their own fees.
- Fee increases shall not apply where a written agreement has been made based on the previous fees.
- The fee increases shall not apply to students enrolled in units being conducted at the time.
- Announcement of fee increases must be given to students in time for them to be implemented.
- The fee for duplicate qualifications, statements of attainment, and transcripts is the same as the current application fee for Australian residents plus the cost of any applicable overseas postage.
- Students shall be fully responsible for any costs of any kind whatsoever incurred relating to the recovery of unpaid debts, including but not limited to those incurred through third parties and through agents of the Centre.
- Tuition fees shall be paid on a "pay-as-you-go" basis, that is, at the beginning of each unit.
- ACAS will not hold fees in trust for students.
- Capping of fees paid in advance:
- ACAS only accepts payment $1000 or less from each individual student before commencing the course.
- After course commencement ACAS accepts no more than $1500 in advance at any given time from each student for tuition or services yet to be received by the student.
- Tuition fees may include any written or information materials required to complete the unit.
- Students who do not pay in full for the semester will enter into a time-payment agreement:
- The payment installment contract will be a separate form from the application form.
- Students will make a down payment of at least 25% for the semester.
- Students will schedule payment for all fees by the end of the semester.
- Late fees will only apply for payments that are behind schedule.
- If instruction or assessment is individualized or does not follow a prescribed schedule, the commencement shall be deemed to be upon either:
- commencement of actual instruction or assessment, or
- provision of all self-study materials necessary for commencement.
- Units taken through Recognition of Prior Learning shall have a separate schedules of fees from units taken through instruction.
- Clerical or administrative errors will be rectified within 14 days from the time that notification arrives at ACAS, except when this involves extra time in relating to a third party.
- The granting of scholarships by ACAS is completely at the discretion of the Executive Committee unless the Board otherwise authorizes.
- Students have a right to:
- be informed in writing of all fees of any kind before they are due.
- pay no more than the published fees during the period for which the fees are published.
- a refund for funds incorrectly paid.
- a tax invoice for payments made, but it may be qualified if the payment is not in legal tender (e.g. cheque).
- Students shall be fully responsible for any costs of any kind whatsoever incurred relating to the recovery of unpaid debts, including but not limited to those incurred through third parties and through agents of the Centre.
- The application fee is non-refundable.
- Students withdrawing before commencement will receive a refund of tuition fees less 10%.
- Students withdrawing from a short course (less than one week) will receive no refund after the course has commenced. Otherwise, students withdrawing from a unit in its first week of instruction will receive a refund of 25% of the tuition fee for that unit.
- No refund will be payable to students withdrawing after the end of the first week, regardless of the reason. They will remain liable for all fees due including any late fees.
- Students will receive a full refund if the college withdraws an offer.
- Students will receive a full refund if the college fails to provide the course or terminates it before finishing.
- No refund will be payable to students who are suspended or expelled. They will remain liable for all fees due including any late fees.
- Refunds will be paid only to the person who originally paid the fees unless a written authorization is made otherwise.
- This policy does not remove the right to take further action under consumer protection laws.