Client Fees and Refund Policy

Purpose

This policy describes how DG Institute (DGI) administers client fees and charges and establishes the criteria for granting refunds to ensure that the refunds of fees are made in accordance with ACCC and other relevant legislative and regulatory requirements and are adhered to in the actions and decisions made by DGI.

Related Standards and Legislation

https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guarantees/cancelling-a-service

Scope

This policy applies to all applicants currently enrolled at DG Institute.

Responsibility

The DGI General Manager and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) have overall responsibility for financial management. DGI follows sound financial management practices to safeguard any client fees paid in advance, to ensure the financial security of the organisation and to adhere to all legislative and regulatory requirements pertaining to the organisation. The CEO and the General Manager will be responsible for the implementation of this policy and to ensure that the staff are aware of its application and procedures.

Definitions

The Tuition Fee is a compulsory academic fee payable by the client for enrolled Courses offered by DGI.

Agreed Start Date

Agreed Start Date means the day on which the course was scheduled to start as per the Confirmation of Enrolment notice (CoE), or a later date agreed between DG Institute and the client for the start of the course.

Study period

At DGI, a study period is defined in study periods of 6 months or less. Enrolments greater than this are divided into study periods dependent on the total course duration.

DG Institute default

DGI defaults when:

1. the course does not start on the agreed starting day; or
2. the course ceases to be provided at any time after it starts but before it is completed, during the 6 month access period;
3. the course is not provided in full to the client because of a sanction has been imposed on DGI; and
4. the client has not withdrawn before the default day.

Client default

A client default occurs when DGI refuses to provide, or continue providing, the course to the client because of one or more of the following events:

1. The course starts on the agreed starting day, but the client does not attend the seminar on that day (and has not previously withdrawn); or
2. The client withdraws from the course (either before or after the agreed start day); or
3. The client fails to pay an amount he or she was liable to pay to DGI, directly or indirectly, in order to undertake the course;
4. Breach of the Client Code of Conduct by the client.

Fees

DGI will issue a Confirmation of Enrolment notice (CoE) and liability notice to all clients for each payment period, including the course name, the client liability status and the total outstanding fees owing.

In the absence of any agreement to the contrary, your place in a course will not be confirmed until the initial deposit is received and our bank has confirmed your payment

Refunds

All refund requests are conditional on the following:

1. DGI must have received funds for any refunds to be made available (i.e. cheques are cleared, external transfers have been received, credit card proceeds have been received);
2. Any debts to DGI must be paid in full or the outstanding amounts will be deducted from the refund.
3. Refunds are only available within 3 working days of submitting the order form

Client defaults and withdrawal

When client defaults or where written notice of withdrawal is received by DGI within 3 working days of completing the Order Form, DG Institute will refund the fees as per the table below.

Please note: All fees are quoted in Australian dollars and are subject to change without notice

If you cancel your course within 3 working days of completing the Order Form, all fees are refunded.

If you cancel your course after the 3 working days of completing the Order Form, no fees will be refunded.

If you defer the date of commencement of your course and then later cancel your course, prior to the new commencement date, the cancellation policy will apply from the date of completion of the Order Form not the deferred start date.

In all cases of cancellation/suspension and/or expulsion from DGI due to non-compliance with the client Code of Conduct, no refund of monies paid to DGI will be made (unless required by law).

These regulations may be waived only in exceptional circumstances by the Executive Management of DGI at their absolute discretion.

Special circumstances

Where a client withdraws from the course because of exceptional and extenuating circumstances of a compassionate nature, such as a death or severe illness in the immediate family, or severe illness, management may at its discretion refund a portion of the unspent fees. This is at management discretion.

DGI default

In the unlikely event that DGI is unable to start an advertised course or continue to deliver a course prior to its completion (known as an DGI default), the Client, within 2 weeks, will be offered and can choose to accept either:

1. a refund of the unused portion of course fees paid to date, which will be issued to the client; or
2. alternatively, you may be offered a suitable alternative course at no extra cost.

You have the right to choose a refund or the offer of placement in another course if available. Acceptance of any such offer must be confirmed in writing within 30 days of the offer being made.

If the Client chooses placement in an alternative course with DGI, the Client must sign a new written agreement to indicate the client accepted the placement.

Refund Procedure

A request for cancellation and withdrawal from course and refund of fees paid should be submitted in writing to info@dginstitute.com.au, outlining the reasons for your request and any relevant details for the consideration of DGI.

Refunds will be paid within 10 business days from the date of approval.

Payment of Refunds

Refunds will be paid in the same manner and currency in which the fees were collected, and paid to the person who entered the contract. We require written direction from the client to refund to another party.

Any refunds payable under this policy (with the exception of those payable as required by law in the case of cancellation/suspension and/or expulsion) will be made within the timeframes set out in this Policy.

Applications for refunds for clients must be authorised by the DGI General Manager.

Client’s Right to Appeal

Any client who is refused a refund by DGI may appeal within 14 days in writing to the DGI General Manager in accordance with the Complaints and Appeals policy. DGI’s appeal process does not circumscribe the Client’s right to pursue other legal remedies.

Your agreement to be bound by the General Conditions of Enrolment and the Refund and Cancellation Policy and the Indemnity Declaration does not remove your right to take action under the Business’s disputes resolution policy, or Australia’s consumer protection laws, or to pursue other legal remedies.

Referenced Documents

1. Order Form
2. Complaints and Appeals Policy and Procedures