Refund & Cancellation

Sydney Metropolitan International College provides financial safeguards for fees, charges and subsidies received from all students and training service clients. We ensure that all fees and charges paid are recorded in the appropriate manner so as to guarantee financial integrity.

SMIC takes a fair and reasonable approach to refunds. The table below details a range of scenarios and the refunds available. To apply for a refund, contact the college reception.

Where a student has purchased a text or training workbooks from SMIC and subsequently cancels, the College will not refund monies for the text unless a written request for a refund is received and we are satisfied that the text is in as-new condition.

Refund and Cancellation – Student Default

In the case where the course starts on the agreed start date but the student does not start on the agreed start date (this is called student default) the following refunds are available:
  • 100% refund of tuition fees paid if the student visa was refused by Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
  • 80% refund of paid tuition fees applies if the student cancels 28 or more days before the course starts.
  • 50% refund of paid tuition fees applies if the student cancels within 28 days of course commencement.
  • No refund of tuition fees applies if the student cancels on or after course commencement date.

Discretion may be exercised by the Principal Executive Officer in all situations, if the learner can demonstrate that extenuating or significant personal circumstances led to their withdrawal.

The agreed starting date is the date the course is scheduled to start or a later date agreed between the college and the student. This does not apply to approved deferment and leave of absence when the student applies for refund after the application was approved.

The college will make a refund only in Australian Dollars within 4 weeks of receiving a written claim by the student in accordance with the Terms and Conditions as outlined in the Student Enrolment Form.

The enrolment fee is not refundable under any circumstances including visa refusal /rejection.

Refer to Fees and Refund Policy for more details.

Cancellation and Refund Conditions – Provider Default

If the college defaults, that is, if the course does not start on the agreed starting date or the course ceases to be provided before it is completed, the college will make every effort to transfer the students’ enrolment to another college or pay a refund of the unused portion of the course money received from the student.

Refunds in situations of Provider Default are covered by the provisions of The Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment (Tuition Protection Service and Other Measures) Act 2012 and apply if the college:
  • does not offer a course on the advertised start date, or
  • terminates a course after the course start date or before the course completion date, or
  • does not provide a course as advertised due to sanctions by any authority, or
  • does not provide a course in full

In such a case the College will pay the student a refund which equals the amount of the total tuition fees paid for the remainder of the course not completed at the time of default if an alternative placement with another provider cannot be found to the student’s satisfaction. Such refunds will be made within 2 weeks following the default date with a statement explaining how the refund amount has been calculated.

Tuition Protection Service

The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) is an initiative of the Australian Government to assist international students whose education providers are unable to fully deliver their course of study. The TPS ensures that international students are able to either: complete their studies in another course or with another education provider or receive a refund of their unspent tuition fees.

In the unlikely event the College is unable to deliver a course where fees have been paid in advance and it does not meet its obligations to either offer the student an alternative course that is accepted or pay the student a refund of the unspent prepaid tuition fees, the TPS will assist the student in finding an alternative course or offer a refund if a suitable alternative is not found.

Refund Procedure

To apply for a refund – a Refund Application Form or Agent Refund Application Form (if applying through an agent) – must be completed and submitted to the General Manager (Admin). The table below illustrates the refund reasons and refund amounts that explain how the college applies refunds to international students in compliance with the Education Services for Overseas Students Act (ESOS Act) and the requirements of Standard 3 of the National Code. The refund policy does not remove the right to take further action under Australia’s consumer protection laws.

Fees and Refund Policy and Procedures

Please click below to download the refund form.

Refund Application Form