Terms & Conditions
Refund policy
Charles Sturt University International on-Campus Students
The following policy applies to all international students studying at CSU. Please note that this policy applies only where it is not in conflict with an individual course refund policy - for example where a course policy refers to a ‘non-refundable” amount’.
1. Inability to start or continue your course
CSU will give you a full refund of any tuition fees you have paid if:
- You are unable to obtain a visa;
- Political or civil unrest or natural disasters prevent you leaving your home country or paying fees in full
- You are unable to commence your course because of a serious and prolonged illness, disability or death of you or a parent, sibling, spouse or child;
- Your offer of a place is withdrawn (unless the offer was made on the basis of incorrect or incomplete information you supplied, in which case it will retain 10% of the fee for one
session) - The course which you wanted to undertake is no longer offered
- CSU refuses to enrol you in a course
To seek a refund in these circumstances, you (or your agent) should write to the Director, CSU Study Centre, supplying copies of relevant documentation (such as a visa refusal letter or medical certificates).
Your refund will be based on the Australian dollar fee for the course (rather than the overseas amount you paid). The amount will be paid within 4 weeks by telegraphic transfer to a bank in your home country. CSU Study Centre cannot pay your refund into an Australian bank.
2. Withdrawal from one or more subjects after commencing your course
There are two separate processes that must be completed.
a) Change your enrolment to withdraw from the subject(s)
Enrolment variations can be made at any time prior to the Census Date using the on-line Enrolment Variation form on the Student Administration web site.
After the Census Date has passed you must submit this variation in paper form to the Division of Student Administration. Once this variation has been submitted, your request will be passed to the faculty(s) that teach the subject(s) who will decide whether an AW grade should be awarded or not. The Academic Withdrawal Policy is explained in full in Section 13 of the enrolment regulations.
Please note that if you are an on-campus student your Visa requires you to study full time
b) Seek a refund of tuition fees paid for the subject(s)
If you wish to seek a refund of tuition fees after withdrawing from the subject(s), you must write to the Director, CSU Study Centre.
3. Refund schedule
If you withdraw from a subject less than 4 weeks after the commencement of session, you may ask that 100% of that course money to be credited to your account for use in later subjects.
If you ask for a refund, CSU will refund your tuition fees according to the following schedule:
| Date request to withdraw received by Charles Sturt University | Portion of tuition fee refundable |
|---|---|
|
|
90% |
|
|
75% |
|
|
50% |
|
|
0% |
Your refund will be credited to your student account (unless you are terminating your course, in which case your credit balance will be paid by telegraphic transfer into a bank account in your home country).
Please note that if subject withdrawal occurs prior to payment for the relevant session a charge will be raised against your account as per the above schedule.
4. Exceptional circumstances
The Student Administration Claims Committee may consider written requests for refunds due to exceptional circumstances and may increase the amount of refund provided beyond the above levels. Applications for exceptional circumstances must provide details and appropriate verifiable evidence of the circumstance and why a refund beyond the stated policy should apply.
5. No refund
A refund will not be provided if the application includes fraudulent or forged documentation.
6. Appeals of decisions
If after 30 days from receipt of an application you have not been notified of an outcome, or if you are unhappy with the decision, you may appeal to the Director, Student Administration.
7. Change of visa status
If you provide the University with written evidence that you have been granted Australian Permanent Resident status before 31 March or 31 August, you will receive a refund of all tuition fees you have paid for that (and subsequent) sessions, but you will then be liable to pay the HECS-HELP levy or domestic student fees for your subjects. (Permanent Resident status is recognised from the date stamped on your passport, not the date on which you applied).Your refund will be credited to your student account.
If you are not satisfied with the application of this policy, you may take action under the University’s grievance procedures . You are also entitled to take legal action under Australia’s consumer protection laws.
Permanent Residency
This offer of admission is made to you as an international fee-paying student.
It is important that you are aware that CSU does not currently have any undergraduate domestic places in Sydney or Melbourne. Some places are, however, available for postgraduate domestic students. While the following statements may apply to you, a change of residency status is likely to mean that you will be required to relocate and complete your CSU studies at a regional CSU campus.
If you obtain Australian permanent residency before enrolling in the program, your offer of a place (or your enrolment) as an international student will lapse. Your application for admission as a local student will then be assessed. Please note that because of government controls on the number of local students that can be enrolled you may not qualify for a local place.
If you obtain permanent residency before you enrol, you must notify CSU Study Centres in writing as soon as possible, enclosing certified documentary evidence of your residency status.
If you obtain Australian permanent residency prior to the Census Date in any enrolment session, your enrolment will change to that of Australian student status.
If you obtain Australian permanent residency after Census Date in any enrolment session, your enrolment will continue as an international fee-paying student until the end of that semester at which time it will change to that of Australian student status.
Late Enrolment
International students must arrange to be on campus prior to the start of the semester to take part in a compulsory Orientation Program. If you are going to arrive after the commencement of the semester, you must seek approval from CSU Study Centres. Please advise your expected date of arrival when applying for approval for late enrolment. Students will not be allowed to enrol after the end of the second week of semester.
Academic load/Attendance/Academic performance
It is a requirement of your student visa, that you undertake studies on a full-time basis. In addition to studying full-time, student visa holders must maintain 80% attendance at classes during their study. Changes to your enrolment and any breach of the student visa condition in relation to attendance or satisfactory academic performance must be reported to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.
Arranging your student visa
Students from assessment level 1 and 2 countries can apply for their student visa after they have paid the required fees to their education provider. Once we receive payment of your initial fees (as specified on your Offer of Admission) we will issue you with an eCoE (electronic confirmation of enrolment) which is the document you are required to submit with your visa application.
Students from assessment level 3 and 4 countries are required to undertake a Pre-Visa Assessment (PVA) before they can pay any fees to their education provider. The Pre-Visa Assessment process involves a number of checks which may include medical, character and financial checks. The timing of these checks varies from country to country. Once your PVA is complete you will be advised whether you can proceed to pay your fees and obtain an eCoE (electronic confirmation of enrolment) which is required for the second stage of your visa application.
Please note that you should not pay your tuition fees or make any commitments concerning your travel to Australia until you receive your PVA Letter.
As the eCoE is lodged electronically please ensure the details of where you will be applying for your student visa are included with your Acceptance of Offer form.
If you are intending to apply for your visa at a Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) office in Australia you will need to provide your passport and visa number. Please note that it may not be possible to change from a tourist or other type of visa to a student visa once you are in Australia.
We encourage you to visit the DIAC website and undertake a student visa self assessment.
Advanced Standing / Credit
If you have been granted advanced standing in your program or credit for one or more subjects, details will be provided with your Offer of Admission, together with the recommended minimum time to complete the program. This is meant as a guide only; if you do not complete your program in the minimum time you may incur additional fees.
You will also be responsible for any fees incurred in extending your student visa.
Please ensure that you read and understand the advanced standing granted to you and sign and return the credit acceptance letter.
Medical Insurance / OSHC
It is a requirement of the Australian government that student visa holders take out medical insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover known as OSHC), for the duration of their study. To secure a visa, students must make an initial payment of at least 12 months cover or show evidence that they already have cover through an approved provider. Australian Health Management (AHM) is our preferred provider for student medical insurance in Sydney and Brisbane.
If you are already studying in Australia you should inform us of your OSHC membership number and the expiry date of your cover. Please send a photocopy of your membership card to provide evidence that you have cover for at least the first 12 months of your program.
Disclosure of Information
CSU reminds you that the information provided in your application may be made available to Australian Commonwealth and State Agencies pursuant to obligations under the ESOS Act 2000* and the National Code. CSU is required under Section 19 of the ESOS Act 2000, to inform the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs about changes to your course enrolment and any breach of your student visa condition relating to satisfactory academic performance.
*Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000
Please refer to The Legislative Framework section below:
The Legislative Framework
The operations of CSU International are governed and regulated by a series of government agencies and industry guidelines.
These include: