Refunds Policy

1. Protection of fees paid in advance 

Whitehouse International College protects the fees that are paid in advance by international students.

Whitehouse International College does not require international students to pay more than 50% of course fees prior to course commencement. However, Whitehouse International College provides students with the opportunity to pay more than 50% of their tuition fees prior to course commencement if they wish. Where a student chooses not to pay more than 50% upfront, the remaining amount will be collected according to an agreed payment schedule. Note, however, that where a course is less than 25 weeks, Whitehouse International College will require students to pay the full cost of the course prior to course commencement. Whitehouse International College pays into the Tuition Protection Service (TPS) provided by the Australian Government.

2. Refunds

All course fees, include a non-refundable deposit/enrolment fee which is outlined on the Course Outline. The deposit is non-refundable except in the unlikely situation where Whitehouse International College is required to cancel a course due to insufficient numbers or for other unforeseen circumstances. In this case, students will receive a full refund of their deposit.

Students who withdraw from a course and wish to seek a refund or have the amount they owe on their fees reduced, must apply to Whitehouse International College in writing, outlining the details and reason for their request. Students who have not completed a withdrawal form are not eligible for consideration of a refund or reduction in fees.

Refunds – International students

For international students, eligibility for a refund will be assessed as follows:

A. Circumstances in which a refund will be paid – REFUNDS APPLY

A full refund of any course fees paid will be provided to students in any of the following circumstances:

• Where a course does not start on the starting date outlined in the Letter of Offer If a student cannot commence the course because of illness, disability or where there is death of a close family member of the student (parent, sibling, spouse or child).

At the discretion of Whitehouse International College’s CEO or approved representative, when other special or extenuating circumstances have prevented the student from commencing their studies including political, civil or natural events.

If an offer of a place is withdrawn by Whitehouse International College and this is not due to incorrect or incomplete information being provided by the student.

B. Circumstances in which a partial refund will be paid – PARTIAL REFUND

Partial refunds will be paid in the event of provider default. The refund will be calculated from the day of the default as per section 7 of the Education Services for Overseas Students (Calculation of Refund)

Partial refunds will also be provided in the same manner as for provider default (as above) where Whitehouse International College fails to enter into a written agreement with a student or the Student Agreement is not compliant with the requirements of the ESOS Act or the National Code 2007.

If an international student is refused a visa (student default) before commencing their course, Whitehouse International College will refund the total amount of all course fees (tuition and any non-tuition fees) received for the course less whichever is the lower amount of 5% of the total amount of the fees (tuition and non-tuition) or the sum of $500.

If an international student is refused a visa (student default) but has already commenced their course, non-tuition fees will not be refunded. However, tuition fees will be refunded from the day of the student default as per Section 7 of the Education Services for Overseas Students (Calculation of Refund) Specification 2014.

If a student has supplied incorrect or incomplete information and as a result Whitehouse International College withdraws the offer prior to commencement of the course, the student will be eligible to receive a refund of all course fees paid less a 20% administration fee.

Where a student has not met the conditions included in the letter of offer and withdraws 0 – 28 days before cause commencement, the deposit paid will be refunded less a 20% administration fee.

Where a student withdraws from a course 0 – 28 days before the course commencement, except for the reasons set out in 9.1, 50% of the deposit paid will be refunded.

If a student withdraws or defers their course after the course has started and they have paid for units that have not been commenced, this will be calculated on a per unit cost calculated as the course fee less administration fees of 20% of the tuition fees paid, less textbook fees divided by the total number of units or clusters in the course.

C. Circumstances in which a refund will not be paid – NO REFUND

A student is not entitled to a refund in the following circumstances:

Where a student is refused a visa and the reason for the refusal was because the student did not start the course at the location on the agreed starting day or the student withdrew from the course at that location, or the student did not pay the fees due.

Where Whitehouse International College terminates the student’s enrolment because of a failure to comply with Whitehouse International College’s policies, misbehaviour or unsatisfactory course progress or attendance.

Where the student has enrolled, and course has commenced.

3. Outcomes of refund decisions

Whitehouse International College will provide the outcome of the refund assessment in writing to the student’s registered address, outlining the decision and reasons for the decision along with any applicable refund or adjustment notice. Students will be advised that they may appeal the refund assessment following Whitehouse International College’s Complaints and Appeals Policy and Procedure.

Cooling-off Period

Students have the right to a cooling off period’ of 7 days from the date they signed their Agreement. To exercise this right, the student must notify our office in writing within 7 days of enrolment. Cooling off period ceases the day classes starts or 7th day of this agreement whichever is the earlier.