FAQ's

4. Fees

1. What is the meaning of an 'itimised list of fees'?

"Itimised list of fees payable to provider be provided to student before enrolment. This should cover Mandatory and optional payments, such as non mandatory field work, or the costs of accommodation where the student might choose to live on campus or in boarding/hostel accommodation offered to provider". (Letter from DEST to MI General Manager, 02/04/02)

2. What fee information has to go on the CRICOS register?

For entry on CRICOS - fees and compulsory payments to complete the course i.e. tuition and amenities (can average amenities), books if have to be purchased, fieldwork if integral to course, accommodation only if need to board with provider to attend the course.

Should provide both mandatory and optional payments and provide pre enrolment.

3. Who can course fees be paid to?

The general rule is that only registered providers may receive course money (s.18). However, DEST has advised that:

'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.

See the DEST ESOS Guide:
http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/international_education/publications_resources/
other_publications_resources/esos_guide/