Wentworth Institute fully complies with the ESOS Act 2000 and its amendments including the Tuition Protection Service (TPS).

Under Section 47D, the written agreement with the student outlines the various circumstances under which a refund can be made and the amount due.
1.The application fee and accommodation placement fee are non-refundable.

2.There is no refund if the student defaults (NB i. all internal and external appeals processes must be exhausted and ii. the TPS director and DIAC must be informed within 5 days). A student defaults by:

• Not starting on the agreed day and location (and has not previously withdrawn)
• Failing to pay an amount payable to Wentworth Institute
• Breaching a condition of his/her visa
• Misbehaving (Note: the student is entitled to natural justice under subsection 47A (3)).

3.If a student’s visa is refused prior to commencement (through no fault of their own) (Section 47A of the ESOS Act), then Wentworth Institute will refund tuition fees paid LESS the following amount:
The lesser of:

• 5% of the total amount of pre-paid fees that Wentworth Institutereceived in respect of the student for the course before the default day or
• The sum of $500.

4.Refunds will be paid:

• within 4 weeks after the day of default in the case of visa refusal (or where Wentworth Institute has not entered into a written agreement with the student (Section 47E) or
• Within 4 weeks from when Wentworth Institute receives a written claim form from the student (Section 47D).

Refunds must be paid either to the student or the person specified in the agreement between Wentworth Institute and the student.

5.In the event of a student withdrawing from a course, an application for a refund must be made in writing to Wentworth Institute.

• If the notice is received by Wentworth Institute at least 28 days before the course starts, a refund of 80% of tuition fees will be made.
• If the notice is received by Wentworth Institute prior to, but less than 28 days before the course starts, a refund of 50% of tuition fees will be made.
• If the notice is received by Wentworth Institute on or after the course starts, no refund will be made. If an exceptional circumstance exists, a refund will be given on a case by case basis.

6.In the event of Wentworth Institute defaulting*, Wentworth Institute will advise the student in writing of their default, how they intend to fulfil their obligations under the ESOS Act. Within 14 days of the day of default, the:

• total unexpended tuition fee may be refunded to students OR
• Wentworth Institute may offer an alternative (replacement) course or part of a course in accordance with subsection 46D(4).  The student must advise in writing within fourteen days whether he or she accepts this arrangement.

* If a provider ceases to offer a course or courses before the student has finished the course, this is ‘provider default’ under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000.  The default date is the date the College stopped providing the course. Provider defaults can include the course not starting on the agreed starting day; the course ceasing before it is completed, or the course not being provided in full to the student, and the student having not withdrawn before the default day.

7. In circumstances where a default has occurred and Wentworth Institute cannot satisfy their obligations, the TPS Director will be advised. The TPS Director will then invite relevant providers to participate in a placement round.
This fees refund policy does not remove students’ rights to take further action under Australian Consumer Protection laws.