Only registered providers can receive course fees (including health benefit contributions) from overseas students affected by the Act. (s. 5 definition ‘course money’, s.7)
Where two or more providers deliver a course jointly, only the registered provider can collect payment of course fees (s.18)
A registered provider, who enters into an arrangement with one or more providers to provide a course to overseas students, must ensure that students pay their course money to the registered provider (section 18 ESOS Act 2000) unless there is a clearly understood arrangement between the registered provider and the other provider, whereby the other provider collects the fees as agent of the registered provider.
The consequence of such an arrangement is that, even though another provider (or entity) collects the course money on behalf of the registered provider, the registered provider remains responsible for all obligations relating to the course money under the ESOS Act 2000, including the refund provisions of the Act. (DEST ESOS Guide, 8.2)
Money received for a course includes tuition fees, health cover payments and "any other amount that the student had to pay the provider, directly or indirectly, in order to undertake the course" (s.7)
Monash University is the registered provider for courses provided for international students at the university. It therefore, as per the policy, is responsible for the collection of student fees.
Monash International Pty Ltd is the registered provider for courses provided for international students at Monash College and MUELC. It is responsible for collecting fees for Monash College and MUELC students.
