If a student withdraws from a course and/or a unit before the census date a refund of some fees may be possible. When a student makes a change to their course load, the amenities and course fee is liable to change. A reduction of course load up to the census date for the unit may result in a reduction in the amenities and/or course fee.
The University will advise of any additional charges or credits owing as a result of unit changes. Where there is a credit, students may apply for a refund, or apply the credit to the next university charge.
Under banking regulations, if a student has made a payment with a credit card any refund must be credited to the original card. Monash University will refund to the original credit card if the initial payment was via that credit card within the previous 12 months, otherwise the refund will be processed by cheque.
Students requesting a refund, where the original payment was made by Telegraphic Transfer, are required to have the original payer authorise who the refund is to be paid to. Note: International refunds will normally be made in the currency of the student's current country of residence.
Exchange rates may fluctuate and Monash University is not liable for any variance.
Note: If you are no longer an enrolled student, Monash University will not be required to pay you any net credit amount in respect of the reasonable expenses of the business in holding unclaimed moneys and locating the owners.
Students who officially discontinue a unit prior to the census date for that unit may be eligible for a partial refund of the Amenities Fee, provided that payment of the Amenities Fee had already been made in full.
Students who officially discontinue or intermit their course prior to the census date for the units maybe eligible for a full refund of the Amenities Fee.
Students enrolled in a course that is cancelled by the University will be eligible for a full refund of the amenities fee.
Students excluded under regulations made pursuant to Statute 6.2 "Exclusion for unsatisfactory progress", will not be refunded any Amenities Fees paid for the semester in which the exclusion occurred, but will be eligible for a full refund of any Amenities fee paid in advance for a future semester.
7.2.1 Prior to the census date
Where students withdraw from a course or units prior to the census date, any Upfront Student Contribution Amount (SCA) already paid to the University will be refunded in full.
7.2.2 After the census date
Where students withdraw from a course or units after the census date any upfront SCA paid will be remitted only in "special circumstances" defined in the Higher Education Support Act 2003.
Where "special circumstances" are apparent after the census date students apply direct to their Faculty, and the Faculty in turn advises Fees of any fee remission. Load will vary accordingly.
"Special circumstances" include those circumstances that:
Some examples of "special circumstances" include:
Course related reasons where the institution has changed the unit or course it had offered and the person is disadvantaged by either:
Special circumstances do not include a lack of knowledge or understanding of HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP requirements, or a person's capacity to pay.
7.3.1 Prior to the census date
Where students withdraw from a course or units prior to the census date, their deferred HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP liability will be cancelled in full.
7.3.2 After the census date
Where students withdraw from a course or units after the census date, their deferred HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP liability remains, and students must apply direct to their Higher Education Provider (HEP) for relief from the deferred debt liability (see 7.2.2 "special circumstances").
Where "special circumstances" are apparent after the census date, students apply to the Fees unit, who will seek Faculty advice on fee remission. Unit load for the semester will vary accordingly.
7.4.1. Prior to the census date, course fees already paid to the University will be refunded in full.
7.4.2. After the census date course fees will be remitted only in "special circumstances" (see section 7.2.2 above).
Where "special circumstances" are apparent after the census date, students apply to the Fees unit, who will seek Faculty advice on fee remission. Unit load for the semester will vary accordingly.
Monash observes the principles of the Australian National Policy on Fee Refunds established by Universities Australia. Provisions of the ESOS Act 2000 and the ESOS Regulations apply in the event that Monash, as a registered provider, defaults on this agreement on refunds.
A refund will normally be made in the currency of your country of permanent residence and payable in that country. Exceptions include non-tradable currencies (where the refund would normally then be paid in USD) or payment to another Australian educational institution. Monash is not liable for any variance due to foreign exchange rate fluctuations.
In the event of a course not being delivered
In the unlikely event that Monash is unable to deliver your course in full, you will be offered a refund of all the course money you have paid to date for that course. The refund will be paid to you within two (2) weeks of the day on which the course ceased being provided. Alternatively, you may be offered enrolment in another course by Monash at no extra cost to you. You must choose whether you would prefer a full refund of course fees, or to accept a place in another course. If you choose placement in another course, you must sign a document to indicate that you accept the placement.
How to apply for a refund
The grounds for refunds are as follows:
Full refunds. Except as otherwise set out here, a full refund means all of the course money you have paid to date for that course. A full refund will be made:
Documentary evidence must be provided in support of an application for a refund under any of the above provisions.
Partial refunds (Note: The policy of partial refunds applies to commencing students).
A partial refund means a portion of the course money you have paid to date for that course. A partial refund will be made to commencing students where you:
In these cases the tuition fee paid for the semester/trimester is refundable, less an administrative fee of AUD$1,000.
No Refund
If you withdraw after the census date of the semester/trimester for which you are enrolled, you will not be eligible for a refund for that semester/trimester and will only be refunded any course fees paid in advance.
Note: If you are a Higher Degree by Research student who withdraws more than four (4) weeks after the commencement of the course but before the census date you will not be eligible for a refund for the research period that was undertaken.
Refund of packaged offers
In instances where the circumstances set out in (a) to (k) of the Full Refunds section above is not applicable, an administrative fee of AUD$1,000 will be deducted from the refund amount.
Complaints and appeals concerning refund application
In the event that you wish to contest a Monash rejection of your request for a refund, you have access to established dispute resolution procedures, which do not circumscribe your right to pursue other legal remedies. These dispute resolution procedures can be found at Student Grievances
This sets out the circumstances under which you may transfer fees or obtain a full or partial refund.
Refund
To be eligible for a refund (less applicable administrative charges), you must provide notice and withdraw from the English course prior to commencement or enrolment date.
Full Refunds
A full refund will be made:
In the unlikely event that Monash University English Language Centre (MUELC) is unable to deliver your course and unable to place you in a suitable alternative course, a full refund will be made within two (2) weeks of receipt of application.
Partial Refunds
A partial refund will be made where you give less than four (4) weeks of written notice of cancellation prior to the commencement of the course. MUELC will retain a non- refundable amount equivalent to five (5) weeks of the tuition fee.
No Refund
The administration fee of $250 for all MUELC courses and $100 for Introductory Academic Programs will not be refunded.
A refund will not be given if:
Transfer of Fees
The administration fee will not be transferred.
How to apply for a Transfer or Refund of Fee
All requests must be made on the Transfer of Fees/Refund Form available from the fees refund website and must be accompanied by supporting documentation.
Complaints and Appeals
If you wish to contest MUELC's rejection of your request for refund please follow the Centre's Complaint and Grievance Procedures
International students who have commenced study at Monash University and have been invoiced for a second or subsequent semester may apply for refunds in the same manner as domestic fee paying students.
Refunds will be made in Australian dollars and the University reserves the right to make refunds payable in the country of origin.
In the event that a student wishes to contest Monash University' rejection of their request for a refund, they will have access to established dispute resolution procedures. This policy and the availability of complaints and appeals processes, does not remove the right of the student to take further action under Australia's consumer protection laws.
Higher Degree by Research students who withdraw from their course before the census date shall not be eligible for a refund for the research period that was undertaken. However, any payments received by the university for the research period after the withdrawal may be refunded accordingly.
Special conditions and administrative arrangements apply for Students who are enrolled under the US Financial Aid program. Students should contact the US Financial Aid Director at Monash University for further details.
Special conditions and administrative arrangements apply for Students who are enrolled through an Offshore Partner program. Students should contact their local administrator for further details.