Student Fees Policy

All fees advertised in this 2006 Handbook are for Australian students only.
International students need to approach the Institute as fees may vary due to local requirements (face-to-face tutorials, supervision, administration, GST). Payment can be made by cash, cheque, EFTPOS, Bankcard, Visa or Mastercard.

'Early Bird' Discount

• An 'Early Bird' discount applies to most programs offered by the Institute. To take advantage of the 'Early Bird' discount the student must ensure that payment is recieved in five (5) working days prior to the commencement of the semester or workshop. Invoices are not issued prior to semester/workshop commencement unless specifically requested.
  
  Units (one semester subjects):
  
• Students are reminded that fees are payable in advance.
• An 'Early Bird' discount applies to students who pay their fees in full at least five (5) working days prior to the commencement of the semester.
• Students who do not avail themselves of the 'Early Bird' fee must finalise their accounts within five (5) days after the date of their Student Fee invoice.
  
  Workshops
  
• Students are reminded that fees are payable in advance
• An 'Early Bird' discount applies to students who pay their fees in full at least five (5) working days prior to the commencement of the workshop.
• Students who do not avail themselves of the 'Early Bird' discount must finalise their accounts before attending the workshop.
  
  

Issue of invoices and unpaid fees

• Third party invoicing: The Institute does not invoice organisations, employers or sponsors of individual students. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that fees are paid on or before the advertised date for payment of student fees.
• Collection of unpaid fees: Upon failure to pay, students with outstanding fees who have recieved notification of amount owing will be referred to the appropriate debt recovery agency for recovery action. Please note that students will be liable for recovery costs incurred.
  
  

Withdrawal from unit/course study

• Notification of a student's intention to withdraw either before or after the commencement of a unit/workshop must be made in writing to the Director. Withdrawal by phone or by implication is not acceptable under any circumstances.
• A withdrawal fee of 20% of the unit/workshop fee will apply if an applicant withdraws an application with less than five (5) working days notice prior to the unit/workshop commencement.
• Students who withdraw from a unit/course after the commencement of the unit/course will be liable for fees charged at a pro-rata charge of the full unit/workshop fee from the unit/workshop commencement date to the date of notice, plus a 20% administration fee.
• A student's failure to inform the Institue in writing of their intention to withdraw from a unit/workshop before they cease attending the program will lead to the student being liable for the full fee.
• All unit/course materials must be returned to the Institute with the notification of withdrawal otherwise the student will be liable for full unit fees. When returned unit materials are recieved, any refund due will be made in accordance with the conditions above.
  
  

Deferment of unit/course of study

• Notification of a student's intention to defer their unit of study must be made in writing to the Director.
• Students who defer from the unit after the commencement of the unit/course will be liable for fees charged at a pro-rata of the full unit fee from the unit commencement date, to the date of reciept of a written notice, plus 20% of the full unit/course fee as an administration fee. The balance of fees paid in advance will be refunded. Please note that the administration fee is non-refundable.
• A similar proportion of the full unit fee charged will be deducted from the reattempted unit's fee provided the student continues from where they ceased training within the following three years. The administration fee in non-refundable
• A full unit fee will apply for those students who recommence the entire unit
• A student's failure to infrom the Institute in writing of their intention to defer a unit of study will lead to the student being liable for the full unit fee. Deferment by phone, or by implication, is not acceptable under any circumstances.
• All unit materials must be returned to the Institute with the notification of deferral otherwise the student will be liable for full unit/course fees.
• When returned unit/course materials are recieved any refund due will be made in accordance with the conditions above.
  

Advanced Standing

Students who have been granted credit for prior learning to an exemption from one unit of study (6 credit points) will not be charged for the unit.

If a student who has been granted exemption from undertaking a unit of study wishes to recieve the course materials for that unit, a fee of 30% of the full unit fee will apply.

Recognition of prior learning for a workshop conducted by the Institute

Some workshops are conducted by the Institute as part of its Continuing Professional Development Program are also recognised modules of a single unit of study. For example, the Assessment in Mental Health - Intensive Skills Workshop is one of the five modules that comprise the Community Mental Health - Systems of Care and Recovery Unit. Students who wish to undertake a 6 credit point unit of study and who have attended the relevant workshop in the previous three years are not required to attend the workshop and will be charged 75% of the full unit price.

Purchase of books

Where required, course texts purchased through the Institute must be paid for at the first workshop. Textbooks will not be issued unless payment has been received.

Unit/course cancellation

The Institute reserves the right to cancel a unit/workshop if there are insufficient applications. A full refund will be made of all fees paid. A decision to cancel a unit/course will be made ten (10) working days prior to unit/workshop commencement.

Change of address

It is the responsibility of students to inform the Institute in writing of a change of address within seven (7) days of such change. If this written advice is not recieved, the Institute will not accept responsibility for Institute correspondence that does not reach the recipient.