Refund & Cancellation Policy

1. PURPOSE

To purpose of this policy is to outline how Healthguard First Aid determines course fees, refunds and payment options. This includes information about management of fee payments by students.

2. POLICY STATEMENT

Healthguard is committed to a fair and equitable process for course fees, transfers, cancellations and refunds. All staff are required to follow this policy to ensure students are aware of course costs and conditions under which fees may be paid or refunded. This policy does not apply to co-providers, who set their own course fees and charge clients directly.

3. SCOPE OF POLICY

This policy applies to all Healthguard Staff who are involved in collection or management of fees from students or employers.

4. POLICY PRINCIPLES

1.1 Fees payable

 
  1. Fees to Healthguard are payable when students receive a confirmation of enrolment
  2. Fees must be paid prior to commencement of training, unless payment is by invoice as previously organised with Healthguard Office
  3. Healthguard may refuse to admit students to the course if payment has not been finalised
  4. A list of fees for Healthguard courses are available from the Healthguard website and by contacting the Healthguard Office
  5. Healthguard reviews pricing on an annual basis and will update pricing accordingly. This does not apply to any courses already paid for by students
  6. Healthguard does not charge fees for learner resources
  7. At the discretion of Healthguard, costs for printing may be charged when students require materials in non-standard formats
  8. Any discounts, fee reductions or arrangements for group enrolments and returning students is at the discretion of the CEO.

1.2 Fee protection

  1. Healthguard does not offer any training courses which cost in excess of $1500.00
  2. Healthguard does not accept any fee payment from a student of more than $1000.00
  3. If Healthguard does commence offering of a course in excess of $1500.00 this policy will be reviewed to incorporate fee management and protection of money paid by students.

1.3 Payment options

  1. Healthguard First Aid accepts various methods of payment for course fees. This includes:
    1. Cash
    2. Direct deposit
    3. Credit card using Square, Stripe, or PayPal
    4. Invoice.

1.4 Transfer of course fees

  1. Students who wish to defer or amend their course bookings are required to contact the Healthguard Office so a Course Withdrawal Amend form can be completed if needed.
  2. Students are able to transfer to another date, a different delivery mode or a different course, provided at least 1 weeks’ notice is given.
  3. Transfer is dependent on course availability.
  4. Course placement may be transferred to another student, provided at least 1 weeks’ notice is given. Administration fees may apply.

1.5 Refund of course fees

  1. Payment of all refunds, to students who are entitled to a refund will be made within 1 week of application.
  2. With regard to all withdrawals, Healthguard First Aid will firstly encourage a student to enrol on another course date, prior to processing refund applications. 
  3. Written notification of withdrawal from a training program must be provided by a student to apply for a refund for a course.  This may be via letter, email or the completion of the refund form.
  4. Refunds are granted on a sliding scale, including 100% of course fee if student withdraws at least 1 week prior to course. Healthguard reserves the right to charge partial fees when there is less than 7 days prior to the course commencing. The refund schedule is as follows:

Reason for Refund

Notification requirements

Refund

Student withdraws

In writing, eight (8) calendar days or more prior to the course commencement

100% of the course fee (paid by the student)

Student withdraws

In writing, within seven (7) calendar days prior to the course commencement.

75% of the full course fee
(regardless of how much the Student has already paid)

Student withdraws

In writing, less than 24 hours prior to course commencement.

Nil Refund

Student withdrawn from the course by Healthguard First Aid

After course commencement, due to inappropriate behaviour

Nil Refund

Course cancelled by Healthguard First Aid

 

100% of the course fee (paid by the student) 

A fee equal to 25 % of the full fee is charged where cancellations occur within seven (7) days before commencement of an enrolled course or assessment

Fees are refunded in full where the student submits in writing reason for withdrawal, eight (8) days or more prior to commencement of an enrolled course or assessment
  1. There is no refund where a student as already commenced their course, or for students who have been deemed Not Yet Competent at the end of a course and all reassessment options.
  2. There is no refund for recognition of prior learning assessments after enrolment, where Recognition resources and services have been supplied to the student.
  3. Healthguard First Aid does not accept liability for loss or damage suffered in the event of withdrawal from a course by a student.

1.6 Management of cancellations

  1. Healthguard First Aid reserves the right to cancel a course if insufficient enrolments are received prior to course commencement.  Students already booked in these courses will be notified. 
  2. If a course is cancelled, a full refund of all monies paid by a student for the course will be made within 7 days.

1.7 Payment of GST

  1. GST is exempt under section 38-85 GSTR 2003/1 Goods and Services Tax, tax ruling. The ruling explains the supply of a course for ‘professional or trade course’ is a GST-free education course.
  2. Where a student is enrolled in a course which is offering units of competence or a whole qualification, the course fees attached to this enrolment will be exempt from the payment of GST. 
  3. GST does apply on the payment of some miscellaneous charges where these charges are in addition to and outside the normal services offered in a course.

1.8 Complaints relating to fees

  1. Students who are unhappy with Healthguard’s arrangements for the collection and refunding of fees are entitled to lodge a complaint. This should occur in accordance with Healthguard’s Complaints policy and procedures