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ENSURE that you attach a copy of your current membership card.

If you do not understand this information and would like some clarification please contact us.

Step 3. Acceptance

To accept the offer you (or your nominated Education Representative or Agent) must sign and return the International Student Enrolment Form & Learning Agreement and pay the required fees. This must be done within the specified timeframe detailed in the Letter of Offer from EQUALS. The EQUALS Education Representative or Agent is to discuss the Letter of Offer requirements with Student, including:

• Minimum required payment (Tuition Fees, OSHC etc.),
• Any conditions attached to the offer,
• Requirement to sign the Acceptance of Offer and what the requirements mean,
• Evidence of financial capacity as detailed (if required),
• Other requirements as set out in the Letter of Offer.

 

Payment of 1st semester fees Your Letter of Offer (Step 2) will advise you of the anticipated tuition costs and due date for payment. Once the payment/deposit is received by EQUALS the invoice for the full payment of the first academic term of studies will be issued in due course. Please note that international funds transfers can take up to 10 working days to be received.

Step 4. Electronic Confirmation of Enrollment

Upon the receipt of the payment and signed Enrollment Form & Learning Agreement, EQUALS will formally notify you that you have been accepted. The Electronic Confirmation of Enrollment (eCoE) will be sent directly to you or your representative if they are assisting you with your application (You will need the Confirmation of Enrollment to apply for your student visa).

Step 5. Student visa application

International students intending to study at EQUALS must apply for an Australian student visa. Your local EQUALS education agent or representative will be able to assist you in applying for your student visa. The main requirements for the student visa application are: For additional information on the SVP Process, please visit: www.border.gov.au

Step 6. Welcome to EQUALS

The International student will be emailed a welcome information pack that includes transport/pick-up. The student will also receive a Pre-Departure Checklist and Orientation Checklist.

Note: Paying Fees

Student fees may be paid by credit card, bank cheque (in $AUD), bank draft or telegraphic transfer as per invoice payment details. Note: EQUALS receives bank transfers from many students in many different countries. It is critically important that when student fees are paid by bank transfer, students also email/fax a copy of the bank deposit receipt to the Admission Advisor at admissons@equals.edu.au

Bank Cheque: Please make sure your bank cheque is in Australian Dollars and payable to:

EQUALS (Aust) Pty. Ltd No.2. GPO Box 2443, Adelaide SA 5001, Australia

Credit Card: Please note, American Express and Diners Club cards are not accepted.

Further information on EQUALS policies and procedures can be found on our website: www.equals.edu.au  

Important Note: EQUALS is responsible for compliance with the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Quality Framework and the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015, including the quality of the training and assessment services it provides for the range of VET Courses under its current scope of operation and for the issuance of the AQF certificate documentation.

Code of Practice

This sets out the guidelines for the ethical conduct of registered providers of courses to International Students. EQUALS is a registered provider of courses for International Students and is committed to meeting educational standards outlined in the National Code of Practice issued by the Australian Government.

Changes Affecting Visa Status

EQUALS is required by law to notify the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) whenever a Student:

• fails to commence the nominated course as expected
• has their enrolment cancelled for failure to meet course requirements, or any other reason
• ceases to occupy the place for which the course enrolment was confirmed, either through completion of, or withdrawal from the course
• changes course and/or provider during their period of stay in Australia
• If you have changed your course and/or provider, you may need to contact your overseas student health cover (OSHC) provider about maintaining OSHC for the full duration of the course. You should contact DOHA, prior to making a decision, with any queries that you have regarding a change of visa status. Please also note that you are required to notify EQUALS if you are applying to DOHA to change your visa status.

Tuition Fees and Refund of Monies Paid

• EQUALS reserves the right to cancel a course, or refuse any enrolment as permitted by law.
• EQUALS reserves the right to adjust fees on an annual basis, vary course requirements or class schedules at any time as deemed necessary.

All EQUALS refunds will be made in accordance with the refund table and conditions contained in this form and in compliance with the Education Services for Overseas Students Act (“ESOS Act”) and the ESOS Regulations. An international Student or an intending international Student must make any request for a refund in writing by downloading the Enrolment Variation form via the EQUALS website. This form should be returned to relevant webform via EQUALS website.

Cessation of Delivery
In the event that EQUALS, or a third party delivering training and assessment on EQUALS’ behalf, closes or ceases to deliver any part of the training product that a student is enroled in, a number of options will be available to the participant including:

• Supported transfer of the participant enrolment to an alternate RTO for completion of services delivery (where applicable); or
• Refund of course fees paid

Making a Claim for a Refund
The claim must identify the reason for the refund and must include supporting documentation according to the circumstances, including official documents such as Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE), receipts, visa refusal letters. The date of notification of the request for a refund is the date the request is received at EQUALS. Payment of refund where the Student withdraws from the course will be calculated from the date the written claim is received with all necessary documentation at EQUALS. Refunds, if approved, will be normally made within twenty (20) working days after a written claim has been received from the applicant/Student. Where a Student changes visa status (e.g. changes education sector) and requires a new visa to be issued, the Student is required to bear any and all costs associated with the visa inclusive of medical tests. Refunds will be made in Australian dollars and will be made to the Student unless the Student requests in writing that the refund is to be made to a person nominated by the Student. Money will not be transferred to other educational institutions under any circumstances.

Important: Please read the Student Handbook, Prospectus and the following information carefully before making your application:  Refunds of Tuition Fees will be calculated under the relevant ESOS provision – Refer to the Education Services for Overseas Students (Calculation of Refund) Specification 2014:

• provider default
• student default where the student did not enter a written agreement
• failure of the student to be granted a student visa (documentary evidence required)
• other student defaults.

In all other circumstances, students are liable for the full amount even if they subsequently withdraw before or during the study period. Refunds will not be made for Tuition Fees or other fees and charges paid by students who withdraw after the study period census date. A student excluded or suspended for misconduct will also remain liable for their Tuition Fees for the enrolment period in question. If a student enroled in an English language course at EQUALS meets the entry requirements for their next course early, remaining Tuition Fees will be credited towards the student’s next course. If a student has overpaid an invoice, the student will be able to elect to credit the overpayment towards the following study period or receive a refund of the value of the overpayment. EQUALS Default occurs when EQUALS fail to provide or continue to provide a course. In the event that EQUALS cancels a student’s enrolment due to EQUALS Default, students will be notified in writing and will be given the option to:

• receive a refund of all unused portion of prepaid Tuition Fees within two (2) weeks of the date of EQUALS Default. EQUALS will also give the student a statement that explains how the refund amount has been calculated; or
• enrol in an alternative course at EQUALS or at another provider at no extra cost.

The student has the right to choose whether they prefer a refund of the unused portion of prepaid Tuition Fees, or to accept a place in another course. If the student chooses placement in an alternative course with EQUALS, the student will be issued with a new Letter of Offer and Written Agreement. The student must accept the offer following the Selections & Admissions Policy & Procedure. If EQUALS is unable to provide a refund or place the student in an alternative course, the Tuition Protection Services (TPS) administered by the Director of TPS will place the student in a suitable alternative course at no extra cost to the student. Finally, if TPS cannot place the student in a suitable alternative course, the student will be eligible for a refund as calculated by the Fund Manager. Student Default occurs when EQUALS refuses to provide or continue providing a course to a Student due to:

1. a Student not commencing a course on the agreed start date;
2. a Student cancelling their enrolment in a course (this includes an abandonment of the course before its completion);
3. a Student failing to pay an amount he or she was liable to pay to the provider, directly or indirectly, in order to undertake a course;
4. a Student breaching a condition of his or her Student visa; or
5. misbehaviour by a Student.

If a Student is dissatisfied with EQUALS decision in relation to their refund request, a Student may lodge an appeal under the Grievance Handling Policy & Procedure. Nothing removes the right of the student to take further action under relevant Australian consumer protection law and to pursue such legal remedies the student may have under such laws. This Policy and Procedure will be made available by publication on EQUALS website (www.equals.edu.au/policies).

Agreed Start Date/Course Commencement: Agreed Start Date (Course Commencement) is the day on which the course was scheduled to start as set out in the student’s Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) or Letter of Offer/Student Agreement or a later date agreed between EQUALS and the student for the start of the course.

Census date: the last date in the Study Period for domestic students to withdraw without incurring financial liability for Tuition Fees.

Deferral: a delayed commencement by an applicant who has received an offer of a place in an EQUALS course.

International student: a student who is not a domestic student, and who may hold a student visa.

Study Period: (a) for Vocational Education Training courses: 1 term, (b) for Higher Education courses: a semester or trimester.

Tuition Fees: fees that are directly related to the provision of a course that the provider is providing, or offering to provide, to the student (ESOS 2000).

Tuition Protection Services (TPS): protection for students in the event that EQUALS ceases to provide the course in which they are enroled, ensuring they are able to complete their studies in another course or with another education provider or receive a refund of their unspent Tuition Fees.

Unit: a component of a course of study with specified unit learning outcomes.

Unspent Tuitiion Fees: the portion of tuition which the student has paid but for which tuition has not yet been received.

Withdrawal: a formal procedure where a student decides to discontinue a course without the intention of returning or discontinues a unit with the intention of enroling in it at a later date.

Withdrawal date: the date specified in the written notice as the date a student’s withdrawal takes effect or when the student’s enrolment was cancelled.

Grievances and Appeals We strive to protect the best interests of our students and clients, and our team is committed to supporting you in any way we can. However, if something does go wrong, we want to know about it and have the opportunity to remedy the situation wherever possible. A grievance process has been established to ensure that those student concerns are treated in a transparent, timely and just matter. EQUALS ensures that students have access to a fair and equitable process for dealing with grievances and provides an avenue for students to appeal against decisions that affect their progress. A grievance may be lodged within a fair timeframe. In the first instance EQUALS recommends all students read the Grievance Handling Policy & Procedure (Academic and Non Academic). Students wishing to lodge a grievance/appeal are requested to do so using the Formal Grievance Form. Should a student wish to appeal a decision or a proposed action, they will have twenty (20) working days to lodge their appeal. This policy, and the availability of complaints and appeals processes, does not remove the right of the Student to take action under Australia’s consumer protection laws.

Course Attendance International Students are required to undertake a fulltime course and attend no less than 80 per cent of classes within a given term and a minimum of 90 per cent for bodywork subjects. If classes are not attended a medical certificate will be required.

Deferments Requests for the deferment of studies are required in writing. Deferments may be granted by the organisation for up to 1 year providing advice is given in writing at least 2 weeks prior to the commencement of a given term. EQUALS must notify Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) of your decision to defer your studies in Australia. DOHA will defer the student visa up to six months. Over six months your visa will be cancelled, therefore you will need to reapply for another student visa prior to recommencing your studies. Please note that the final decision about your eligibility for a second student visa will be made by DOHA and will be based on your reasons for deferring your studies. Therefore, we strongly advise you contact DOHA to ensure that you will be able to resume your student visa status, prior to making your final decision to defer. There is no monetary action on deferments, however, please note that courses may be subject to change and you are required to check with Student Administration, at the beginning of the year in which you intend to re-enrol, to ensure that re-enrolment is possible. A Student is only allowed to defer commencement or suspend studies of a course on medical grounds (with a medical certificate) or other exceptional compassionate circumstances. . Please note that EQUALS is required to notify DOHA of any visa amendment and you may need to contact DOHA to ensure that you do not forfeit your current Student visa.

Dependants If holders of a Student Visa have dependants who will be coming with them to Australia, they are required to make arrangements for the education of the dependent/s. Students should contact DOHA for more information about the status of dependants when intending to study in Australia. If you are accompanied by school aged dependants you will be required to pay the full fees for their schooling.

Please note that International Students are not eligible for travel concessions on public transport in Australia.

Eligibility for Student Visa Status Have you checked your countries Assessment Level? Full fee paying prospective Students of Assessment Level 3-5 are encouraged to undergo pre-visa assessment before lodging an application for a visa to study in Australia. Self-assessment information can be obtained from your nearest Australian Embassy.

Overseas Student Health Cover DOHA require mandatory, visa length health insurance for all Student visa holders. Approved OSHC providers include: NIB – www.nib.com.au Medibank Private – www.medibank.com.au BUPA OSHC – www.overseasStudenthealth.com Australian Health Management – www.ahm.com.au Lysaght Peoplecare Limited, subcontracting to OSHC Worldcare - www.oshcworldcare.com.au OSHC Allianz Global Assistance - www.oshcallianzassistance.com.au. We will organise your OSHC as per your letter of offer for the duration of your time on the visa. To not have up to date Health insurance is a breach of your student visa.

Refund of OSHC Payments A Student may apply directly to the OSHC provider for refund of monies paid if any of the following occur:

• if they do not arrive in Australia
• if their student visa is not extended
• if they have been granted resident status in Australia
• if they are required to return home for reasons beyond their control

Withdrawal from a Course Students are required to provide written notice of withdrawal from any course or course component, and the date of notification is the date the notice is received at EQUALS. Please check with Student Administration before withdrawing to ensure that it complies with your student visa requirements. Please also refer to the International Student Refund Policy detailed on this form. Please note that information about overseas Students may be made available to relevant Commonwealth & State Government agencies.

Students are advised that their details are kept strictly confidential and maintained in their student files. Any concerns should be directed to the Academic Manager.

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