AbSec Learning and Development Centre (AbSec LDC) maintains sound financial management practices that include safeguards for participant’s fees, including those paid in advance, and refunds.
The AbSec LDC is entitled to charge fees for services provided to learners undertaking training and assessment that leads to a nationally recognised outcome. These charges are generally for items such as course materials, textbooks, learner services and training and assessment services.
Fees are payable when a learner has received a confirmation of enrolment. The initial fee payment must be made prior to commencing training or within 5 days of receiving an invoice from the AbSec LDC. AbSec LDC may discontinue training if fees are not paid in accordance with the agreed fee schedule. The current fees and charges for the AbSec LDC are published within the current schedule of fees and charges.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for approving the AbSec LDC Schedule of Fees and Charges. The schedule of fees and charges is to include the following information:
Learners who require replacement of issued text or training workbooks will be liable for additional charges to cover the cost of replacement. Where a learner has purchased a text or training workbooks and subsequently cancels his or her enrolment, the AbSec LDC will not refund monies for the text unless a written request for a refund is received and we are satisfied that the text is in as-new condition. For a full list of replacement charges please refer to the AbSec LDC schedule of fees and charges.
A learner who wishes to cancel their enrolment must give notice in writing. This may be via email or letter. AbSec LDC staff who are approached with initial notice of cancelation are to ensure the learner understands their rights with regards to the refunding of tuition fees. The learner is also to be advised of other options such as suspending the enrolment and re-commencing in another scheduled training program.
Learners who give written notice to cancel their enrolment and who are eligible for a refund are to be provided with a Refund Request Form. Learners’ who may not be eligible but are requesting a refund should also be provided with the Refund Request Form so the request can be properly considered by the CEO.
All applications for refunds must be in writing.
The following refund policy will apply:
Short courses/workshops
A refund will apply if:
Long courses/accredited training
Discretion may be exercised by the CEO in all situations, if the learner can demonstrate that extenuating or significant personal circumstance led to their withdrawal. In these cases, the learner should be offered a full credit toward the tuition fee in another scheduled program in-lieu of a refund. CEO may also authorise a refund of tuition fees if the circumstances require it.
Where refunds are approved, the refund payment must be paid to the learner within 14 days from the time the learner gave written notice to cancel their enrolment. Tuition refunds are to be paid via electronic funds transfer using the authorised bank account nominated by the learner on the Refund Request Form.
Students have the right to take further action under Australia’s consumer protection laws.
The Standards for Registered Training Organisations require a person to be informed of their right to a statutory cooling off period. A statutory cooling off period is defined with in the Australian Consumer Law which was introduced in 2011. A statutory cooling off period (which is 10 days) is a period of time provided to a consumer to allow them to withdraw from a consumer agreement, where that agreement was established through unsolicited marketing or sales tactics. These include tactic such as door-to-door sales and telemarketing. A statutory cooling off period allows a consumer to withdraw from a sales agreement within 10 days of having received a sale contract without penalty. All staff are recommended to refer to the Australian Consumer Law, Sales Practices Guide for further details about a statutory cooling off period and our general obligations for consumer protection during the enrolment process.
The AbSec LDC do inform prospective learners within the learner handbook. It must be noted by all staff that the AbSec LDC do not engage in unsolicited marketing or sales tactics and therefore a statutory cooling off period in not likely to be applicable to our learners who have enrolled into a program. For refund option in other circumstances, learners and staff must refer to the refund policy.
If for any reason AbSec LDC is unable to fulfil its service agreement with a learner, AbSec LDC must issue a full refund for any services not provided. The basis for determining “services not provided” is to be based on the units of competency completed by the learner and which can be issued in a statement of attainment at the time the service is terminated.
AbSec LDC acknowledges that it has a responsibility under the Standards for Registered Training Organisations to limit the fees paid by learners in advance of their training and assessment services being delivered. To meet our responsibilities the AbSec LDC may accept payment of no more than $1,500 from each learner prior to the commencement of the course. This requirement only applies when the payment for the fees are being made directly by an individual that falls under the protection of Australian Consumer Law. By this we generally mean the learner or the learner’s family member. This requirement is not applicable where the fees are being paid by the learner’s employer or a funding authority. This is an entity to entity transaction and does not require the limiting of fees paid in advance.
Following the course commencement, the AbSec LDC may require payments of additional fees in scheduled payments in advance from the learner but only such that at any given time, the amount required to be paid in advance is consistent with the portion of training being delivered.
GST is exempt under section 38-85 GSTR 2003/1 Goods and Services Tax, tax ruling. The ruling explains the supply of a course for ‘professional or trade course’ is a GST-free education course.
Where a learner is enrolled in a course which is offering units of competency or a whole qualification, the course fees attached to this enrolment will be exempt from the payment of GST. GST does apply on the payment of some miscellaneous charges where these charges are in addition to and outside the normal services offered in a course. Please refer to the AbSec LLDC schedule of fees and charges for details of what GST is and is not applied to.
AbSec LDC will levy some miscellaneous charges for services. These may include:
These miscellaneous charges are to be clearly specified in the AbSec Learning and Development Centre’s Schedule of Fees and Charges. It is to be made clear if these services will include GST. All miscellaneous charges are to be based on a cost recovery basis and are not intended to be a source of profit.
Learners who are unhappy with the AbSec LDC arrangements for the collection and refunding of tuition fees are entitled to lodge a complaint. This should occur in accordance with the AbSec LDC complaints policy and procedure.
Re-issuing a certificate, qualification or statement of attainment $33.00 (Incl. GST)
Replacement of issued learning/reference workbook (per workbook) $55.00 (Incl. GST)
Re-assessment fee $100.00 (GST exempt)
Note: Students will be offered two (2) assessment opportunities during a normal training program for each assessment event. The re-assessment fee will only apply if the student chooses to persist in order to demonstrate competence and complete the qualification. The re-assessment service includes individual re-training to prepare the student for the re-assessment.