INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
DOWNLOAD GUIDELINES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
The Ace Tennis Academy is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). The Ace Tennis Academy is committed to complying with all regulations set out by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA). All students wanting to enrol from overseas, where English is not their first language, need to provide evidence of their English language proficiency, as stated by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Indigenous Affairs regulations. The minimum level of English proficiency accepted by this college is an IELTS score of 5.5.
VISA INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Overseas Students must obtain a Student Visa for the duration of their studies in Australia. It is the responsibility of the overseas student to maintain the correct visa during their residency in Australia.
If an overseas student attends less than 80% of the course the academy is required to contact
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. This applies to all absences even where medical certificates are provided. DIMIA will take into account any medical certificates when making a decision.
Most people who come to Australia to study will require a student visa.A Student Visa is required for temporary entry into Australia for study for a period longer than three months. In some cases, for example where study is for less than three months, or where study is combined with significant amounts of work, other types of visas will be more appropriate.
Student visas and other visas used for study in Australia are administered by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
MEDICAL INSURANCE
You must have acceptable health insurance cover for the period of your intended stay in Australia. To meet this requirement, you should pay for overseas student health cover (OSHC), which will provide you with medical and hospital insurance. Ace Tennis Academy can organize the OSHC premium for you and arrange to pay the health insurance cover on your behalf and the cost will be added to your invoice, alternatively you should obtain it yourself and provide evidence to the office processing your visa application that you have OSHC.
OSHC can be made through Australian Education Centers in the student's home country, through immigration agents in Australia, or directly with various Australian Private Health Insurers. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange Overseas Student Health Cover.
Information on the OSHC ( including details of OSHC providers) can be found on the following www.immi.com.au
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Australian has a reputation as a safe, progressive and enjoyable place to study. Australia's laws promote and maintain this reputation by providing quality education and consumer protection for overseas students. Any education provider that recruits, enrols or teaches overseas students must be registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
The Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code 2007 are part of the ESOS framework governing the responsibilities of education providers towards overseas students. The following information aims to assist overseas students (on student visas) to understand their rights and obligations specifically in relation to refunds under the ESOS Act.
ESOS CONSUMER PROTECTION
The ESOS framework protects you if:
What happens if my visa is refused?
If your application for a student visa is refused by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), you will receive a refund calculated in accordance with the ESOS Act. DIAC will write to you to say your visa has been refused. You must give a copy of this notice to your education provider and request a refund.
The ESOS Act allows your education provider to keep some money to cover administration expenses and any part of the course you have already studied.
What happens if my education provider can not continue to teach my course?
In the unlikely event that your education provider stops teaching or cannot offer your course (anytime after you have enrolled) your tuition fees will be protected under the ESOS Act. This may occur if your education provider closes its business or the provider or its course is removed from CRICOS. This situation is called provider default and there are strict rules that your education provider must follow in such situations.
If this occurs, you can choose to accept either:
The refund for provider default must be for all the course money paid including those parts of the course you have already completed. The refund must be paid within two weeks of the course not being provided.
Your education provider must give you information about both choices - a refund or placement in an alternative course.
If you choose to accept placement in an alternative course, you must agree to this in writing
Written Agreements
Under the National Code 2007 education providers must enter into a written agreement with a student (or their parent or legal guardian) at the same time as or before accepting your money. The written agreement sets out the course you will be enrolled in, the fees you are required to pay to your provider and information about how and when you can apply for a refund. The written agreement must specify your refund entitlements if you choose to cancel your course or enrolment. This situation is called student default. The ESOS framework does not specify how much an education provider must refund a student when a student defaults. Therefore it is your responsibility to ensure you read and understand the written agreement before you sign it.
What happens if I choose to cancel my course?
If you choose to cancel/withdraw from your course you will need to refer to your written agreement to
see if you are entitled to a refund. If you are entitled to a refund, your education provider must pay this amount within four weeks of receiving your written request.
What if I choose to transfer to another provider?
Under Standard 7 of the National Code 2007, education providers must assess requests from students to transfer between providers if the student has not completed six months of their principal course. If you choose to transfer to another education provider you will need to refer to your written agreement to see if you are entitled to a refund.
If you are entitled to a refund, your education provider must pay this amount within 4 weeks of receiving your written request.
Tips
Make sure you read and understand your education providers refund agreement before signing
If you don't understand seek assistance
Keep a copy of the written agreement between yourself and your education provider
Keep a copy of receipts of all money paid to your education provider
Keep copies of any letters or emails you send to or receive from your education provider about your course or enrolment
Apply for a refund in writing and keep copies of any letters or emails that you exchange with your education provider about your claim
If you are not happy with the outcome of your application for a refund, you should use your education provider's complaints and appeals processes as outlined in Standard 8 of the National Code 2007
If you are still not happy with the decision after going through the complaints process, contact DEST for assistance
Your written agreement, and the availability of complaints and appeals processes, do not remove your right to take action under Australia's consumer protection laws
Student Complaints
Students unhappy about the refund they receive must firstly try to resolve the matter with their education provider in accordance with Standard 8 - Complaints and Appeals of the National Code 2007. If after following these procedures the issue remains unresolved, you can contact the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST).
ESOS contact details are:
Helpline: (02) 6240 5069
ADMINISTRATION FEES
In addition to the course fee, overseas students are required to pay a non-refundable administration fee with their deposit. This should be paid once they have received a letter of acceptance into the course.
If you wish to study for longer than 12 weeks, you will require a Student Visa. Further information regarding visas is available from the Australian Embassy, Consulate General or an educational agent in your country. If you are already in Australia you may be able to apply to change your visa on-shore, please contact DIMIA for further information.
The minimum requirements of the Australian Government are:
WORKING WHILE YOU ARE IN AUSTRALIA
All initial student visas granted do not provide permission to work in Australia.Students will only be able to apply for a student visa with work rights after they arrive in Australia and only after the student has commenced their course of study. International Students are limited to 20 hours' work per week while they are studying their preferred course. For more information on studying while working speak to an agent or go direct to the Australian Government Department of immigration and multi cultural affairs.
