STUDENT REFUND & CANCELLATION POLICY

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

• Requests for refunds must be made in writing to the Director, BROWNS English Language School, PO Box 10485, Southport BC, QLD, 4215.
  
• Tuition fees are not transferable to other institutions or other students.
  
• The enrolment fee, materials fee and Apartment Placement Fee are non-refundable.
  
• Students are unable to transfer between courses once enrolment has commenced.
  
• All refunds will be paid to the person who has entered into the contract with BROWNS, unless the person gives a written direction to pay the refund to someone else. Refunds will be processed and paid within four (4) weeks of the receipt of the written notification. Payment will be made either in the form of a cheque in Australian Dollars (AUD), or by overseas transfer. Refund Cheques will be posted to the nominated address, or made available for collection from Administration.
  
• Bank charges are deducted from refunds made by electronic transfer or bank draft.
  
• If a visa application is denied by Immigration, the enrolment fee, materials fees and apartment placement fee will not be refunded.
  
• If you cancel your enrolment four (4) or more weeks before the course commences, 100% of tuition fees will be refunded. Refunds will be processed and paid within 28 days of the receipt of written notification.
  
• 50% of tuition fees will be refunded if you cancel your enrolment in writing less than four (4) weeks before the course commences.
  
• You must advise BROWNS at least two (2) weeks prior to your start date if you intend to postpone your course - if notification is not received you will be invoiced $100 to cover administration costs.
  
• In the unlikely event of BROWNS being unable to provide a course for an enrolled student, all fees will be refunded in full.
• No refunds will be granted once a course has commenced unless the student has a legitimate complaint against BROWNS that can be substantiated under the Consumer Protection Laws of the Commonwealth of Australia or the State of Queensland.
  
• If you cancel or postpone your accommodation more than two (2) weeks before your arrival: > 100% of the Homestay Accommodation fee and Homestay Placement fee will be refunded > 100%of the Apartment Accommodation fee will be refunded
  
• If you cancel your accommodation less than two (2) weeks before your arrival: > 100% of the Homestay Accommodation fee and Homestay Placement fee will be refunded, however you will be charged $100 to cover administration costs. > 100% of the Apartment Accommodation fee will be refunded, however you will be charged $100 to cover administration costs
• If you postpone your accommodation less than two (2) weeks before your arrival you will you will be charged $100 to cover administration costs.
  
• If you cancel your accommodation booking less than 48 hours before your arrival you will be charged one week¡¯s accommodation fee and the placement fee will not be refunded.
  
• If you postpone your accommodation booking less than 48 hours you will be charged one week¡¯s accommodation fee and $100 to cover administration costs.
  
• 100% of the airport pickup fee will be refunded if notice of the cancellation is received more than 48 hours prior to the student¡¯s arrival. If notice of cancellation is received less than 48 hours the airport pickup fee will be charged and no refund will be provided.
  
• BROWNS reserves the right to expel a student who does not adhere to the discipline code of the school. In such cases no refund will be given. Please refer to the Student Handbook for an explanation of this code.
  

Refunds will not be granted if:

• The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) excludes you from continuing your studies.
  
• You withdraw after the program begins.
  
• A student is expelled from Browns English Language School (see above)

Refunds (Deferment on Compassionate Grounds)

• Should a student become seriously ill or be required to return home due to exceptional circumstances of a compassionate nature (such as death or severe illness of the immediate family) and can no longer continue their study, BROWNS may refund the balance of unused tuition fees and accommodation fees. Requests for such refund must be made in writing to the Director.
  
• This fee refund is wholly at the discretion of the Director of BROWNS. Appropriate evidence, such as an original medical certificate or death certificate in English, will be required.
  
• In the event that BROWNS defaults with regard to a student enrolment, refunds in this instance are not covered under this Agreement. These instances are covered by provisions of the ESOS Act 2000 and ESOS Regulations 2001.
  

Rights of Overseas Students in Refund Disputes:

• BROWNS have a Dispute Resolution process designed to help settle any disputes over refunds. BROWNS has a trained Counselor to assist students and explain any decisions made by BROWNS. Overseas students may also nominate a support person to accompany them at any stage of the dispute resolution process. If necessary, BROWNS can also arrange an external mediator to help settle the dispute. Full details of our Dispute Resolution Process can be found in the Student Handbook. This agreement and the availability of the complaints and appeals process, does not remove the right of the student to take action under Australia¡¯s consumer protection laws.
  

Note: For the purpose of this policy a course is the total number of ELICOS weeks as shown on the student¡¯s Letter of Offer and/or Confirmation of Enrolment.