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Policies and Procedures
Fees, Charges and Refunds Policy and Procedures
Section A - Fee for Service Training
Refund Policy
Aspin will make a full refund of all fees paid should a course be discontinued. Fees are also fully transferrable to another course with Aspin.
The following will apply should a fee-for-service learner cancel an enrolment with Aspin:
- If the learner cancels before the commencement of the course they are enrolled in, Aspin will refund all fees minus 20% administration costs.
- If the learner cancels after the commencement of the course they are enrolled in, no refund will be paid unless there are proven exceptional circumstances, e.g. hospitalisation. Once exceptional circumstances are legitimately proven to Aspin, Aspin will refund all fees minus 20% administration costs, and minus the percentage of the course which the learner has completed.
Section B – Government Funded Training
1. Scope & Source
1.1 This statement on fees, charges and refunds applies to all students who are eligible for government funding under the Skills for Victoria program.
1.2 This policy is based on the Ministerial Directions on Fees from 1 July 2009 as published on the 26th March 2009 by Skills Victoria’s Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development.
2. Calculation of Fees
2.1 Subject to clauses 1.1 of the Ministerial Directions, tuition fees will be calculated on the basis of an amount for each scheduled hour of government-funded training which a person enrols in for each calendar year.
2.2 The maximum hourly rate varies according to the category a course belongs in, as set by the Minister.
2.3 For the purpose of calculating tuition fees, each course is classified in one of the following five categories:
a) Foundation Skills;
b) Skills Creation;
c) Apprenticeships and Traineeships;
d) Skills Building; or
e) Skills Deepening.
2.4 The maximum fee that may be charged is set by the Minister who each year will fix the amount of the maximum hourly rate, and the minimum and maximum tuition fees payable for enrolments in each category.
2.5 The minimum fee is the minimum that must be charged in respect of a person’s total enrolments within a category in a calendar year. The maximum fee is the maximum that may be charged for a person’s total enrolments in courses within a category in a calendar year.
2.6 A tuition fee will be charged at a rate no higher than the maximum hourly rate for that category specified by the Minister for each calendar year.
2.7 Aspin charges its fees for the Diploma of Management in 2010 at $2.103 per student contact hour which is below the maximum of $3.25 per hour. The maximum amount to be charged to a student in 2010 is $2,000.
2.8 Specific rules as outlined in the Ministerial Directions will govern situations where students enrol in more than one course in a calendar year within the same course category or across multiple categories. All multiple enrolments within a calendar year will be subject to an overall annual maximum equal to the Skills Deepening maximum specified for that calendar year.
| Course Category | Rate per Scheduled Hour | Minimum Yearly Fee and Concession Fee | Maximum Yearly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation Skills | up to $1.08 / hr | $50 | $500 |
| Skills Creation | up to $1.51 / hr | $105 | $875 |
| Traineeships | up to $1.84 / hr | $187.50 | $1,250 |
| Skills Building | up to $1.84 / hr | $187.50 | $1,250 |
| Skills Deepening | up to $3.79 / hr | $375 | $2,000 |
2.9 A provider may charge a fee for assessment of recognition of prior learning only if the assessment is conducted at the request, or with the consent, of the student.
2.10 If a fee is charged for recognition of prior learning the amount must not exceed the actual cost of the assessment.
3. Concessions
3.1 In accordance with section 2 of the Ministerial Directions, Aspin must allow concessions on tuition fees to participants who demonstrate their entitlement to a concession.
3.2 The Ministerial Directions guidelines on concessions do not extend to courses in the Skills Deepening category. However, Aspin extends the opportunity for concession to all participants in this course category where they would be otherwise eligible.
3.3 For enrolments in all courses Aspin will not charge a tuition fee that is more than the minimum fee from a person who holds one of the following concession cards (or an alternative card or concession eligibility criterion approved by the Minister for the purposes of these directions):
a) Commonwealth Health Care Card;
b) Pensioner Concession Card; or
c) Veteran’s Gold Card.
d) The concessions provided for above also apply to a dependant spouse or dependent child of a card holder.
3.4 All indigenous participants will be entitled to pay the minimum fee under the Indigenous Completions Initiative and in accordance with Ministerial Executive Memorandum.
3.5 If a person who was previously eligible for a concession becomes ineligible for the concession before the completion of the hours for which they have paid tuition fees, this does not affect the tuition fees payable for the enrolment.
3.6 If a person who was previously not eligible for a concession becomes eligible for a concession and then enrols in further training within a calendar year, the person will not be liable for any further tuition fees for that calendar year for a course in the same category.
3.7 The concessions provided for above do not apply if a person’s tuition fee is being fully paid by a Commonwealth Government Agency or as part of a Commonwealth program or initiative.
3.8 A provider may grant a concession on tuition fees if it considers that collection in full would impose extreme hardship. This may include a concession on, or exemption from, the minimum fee. To apply for consideration of a fee reduction due to extreme hardship, participants must apply in writing to the Director of Aspin providing details and evidence of their extreme hardship.
3.9 Aspin will not collect a tuition fee from a person whose enrolment is undertaken by arrangement with another education institution which provides payment to the provider for tuition.
3.10 Aspin will not charge a tuition or other fee for an enrolment for which funding has been provided directly or indirectly by the Commonwealth Government and where a condition of the funding prohibits the imposition of a tuition or other fee.
3.11 Aspin will not charge a tuition fee for enrolment of a person who is a prisoner within the meaning of the Corrections Act 1986, or who is:
a. detained (other than on weekend detention) in a youth training centre or remand centre under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 or the Sentencing Act 1991 or in a youth residential centre established under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005; or
b. held on remand in a youth justice centre established under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005; or
c. required to undertake the course pursuant to a non-custodial order made under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005.
4. Refunds
4.1 If a participant withdraws, by written notice, from government-funded training at any time up until 4 weeks after the scheduled commencement date of the course, Aspin will refund the tuition fees paid in respect of the enrolment in excess of the minimum fee, and any other fees and charges paid by or on behalf of the student. The withdrawal must be provided in writing and be signed by the participant.
4.2 If a student withdraws from only part of an enrolment, then Aspin will refund only the portion of the tuition fee applicable to that part of the training.
4.3 If a course is cancelled by Aspin at any time during the period of a person’s enrolment, then Aspin must refund the full tuition fees, any incidental fees for goods and services that have not been used prior to the date of cancellation, and fees for materials that have not been used prior to the date of cancellation.
4.4 If a student has paid a fee for tuition which is no longer required because of recognition of prior learning, Aspin will refund an amount equal to the difference between the tuition fee paid, and the tuition fee payable for the adjusted hours of tuition that are to be undertaken.
