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Cancellation of Enrolment & Refund Policy

Cancellation of Enrolment & Refund Policy

Purpose

Sydney Art School (SAS) is committed to a fair, transparent and consistent process for students who wish to cancel an enrolment or seek a refund. This policy explains how cancellations and refunds are handled and the timeframes that apply.

Because SAS delivers two distinct types of programs, this policy is set out in two parts:

  • Part A applies to students enrolled in a nationally recognised AQF qualification (accredited Visual Arts courses).
  • Part B applies to students enrolled in an Artistic Skills Art Classes, Studio Sessions, Workshops, or Art Class for Children (non-accredited programs).

If you are unsure which part applies to your enrolment, contact SAS before submitting a request.

Scope and governing law

Part A — nationally recognised training is governed by the 2025 Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011, and — where they apply to the enrolment — the VET Student Loans Act 2016 and the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and National Code 2018 (for international students studying under CRICOS #03554G).

Part B — non-accredited programs is governed by the terms of enrolment set out in this policy and in the SAS Terms of Service and enrolment confirmation.

Australian Consumer Law applies to both parts. Nothing in this policy excludes, restricts or modifies any consumer guarantee or right that cannot lawfully be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. Where a term of this policy conflicts with a non-excludable right, that right prevails.

Part A — Students enrolled in an AQF qualification

Applies to: Certificate III in Visual Arts, Certificate IV in Visual Arts, Diploma of Visual Arts, Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts, and custom packages of units of competency delivered towards a Statement of Attainment.

A1. Definitions

  • Study period / term — the enrolment period for which fees are charged, as stated in your enrolment agreement or invoice.
  • Census date — the date set for each study period by which you must formally withdraw to avoid liability for that study period’s tuition fees (and, for VET Student Loans students, to avoid incurring the loan for that period).
  • Application (enrolment) fee — a one-off, non-refundable fee included in the first term’s fees. [confirm amount — currently $295]
  • Tuition fees — the fees charged for delivery and assessment of the qualification, separate from the application fee.

A2. How to cancel or withdraw

  • Submit a written request by email to [email protected]
  • Title of email must be Request to Cancel Enrolment for [Your Name].
  • Include your name, USI (if available), the qualification and study period, and the reason for withdrawal.

A3. Application fee

The application (enrolment) fee is non-refundable once enrolment is processed, regardless of when you withdraw. It is not a tuition charge and is not affected by the census date.

A4. Refunds — withdrawal before the census date

If you withdraw on or before the census date for a study period, you are entitled to a refund of tuition fees paid for that study period, less the non-refundable application fee. No academic penalty applies.

A5. Refunds — withdrawal after the census date

If you withdraw after the census date, tuition fees for the current study period are payable and are not refundable. Fees paid in advance for later study periods that have not yet commenced will be refunded.

SAS may waive fees for the current study period on serious illness or genuine hardship grounds, on receipt of supporting documentation and approval by SAS management.

A6. VET Student Loans (if applicable)

For students using a VET Student Loan, re-crediting of the loan and any refund will be handled in accordance with the VET Student Loans Act 2016 and the SAS re-crediting procedure, including re-crediting in special circumstances. Withdrawal after the census date does not automatically re-credit the loan for that study period.

A7. International students (CRICOS)

For students studying under CRICOS #03554G, refunds are handled in accordance with the written agreement signed at enrolment, the ESOS framework and the National Code. This includes provider-default arrangements (where SAS is unable to deliver the course) and the tuition protection obligations that apply to overseas students. Withdrawal may affect your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and visa status; SAS will notify the relevant authorities as required. Statutory rights under the ESOS framework and Australian Consumer Law are not limited by this policy.

A8. Assessment outcomes are not a refund ground

A “Not Yet Competent” result, an unfavourable assessment decision, or dissatisfaction with an assessment outcome is not a ground for a refund. Concerns about an assessment decision are dealt with through the SAS Complaints, Appeals and Grievance Procedure (clause A11), not through this refund policy. Where a resubmission or supplementary pathway is offered, any fees for that pathway are advised at the time it is offered.

A9. Cancellation by SAS

If SAS cancels or is unable to deliver a course (for example, insufficient enrolments or provider default), you will be offered a full refund of fees paid for the affected study period, or a transfer to a comparable course at no additional cost. SAS-initiated refunds are processed within 14 business days.

A10. Refund process and timeframes

  • Submit refund requests in writing (email or aXcelerate), with supporting documentation where relevant.
  • Approved refunds are processed within 14 business days of approval, to the original payment method or as otherwise agreed, with confirmation sent to your registered email address.

A11. Complaints and appeals

If you are dissatisfied with a cancellation or refund decision, you may lodge an appeal under the SAS Complaints, Appeals and Grievance Procedure (available on the SAS website and in the student handbook). Appeals must be lodged within 20 business days of the decision. This does not affect your rights under Australian Consumer Law or, for overseas students, the ESOS framework.

A12. Records

Records of cancellation and refund requests are held securely in aXcelerate in accordance with SAS’s record-keeping obligations as an RTO.

Part B — Students enrolled in an Artistic Skills Art Class or Art Class for Children

Applies to: non-accredited studio sessions and short courses (drawing, painting, jewellery, printmaking, sculpture, digital art, photography and similar), one-day and multi-day workshops, school holiday workshops, and Art Classes for Children.

These programs are not nationally recognised training. They are governed by the terms below, the SAS Terms of Service, and the conditions set out in your enrolment confirmation email. Australian Consumer Law consumer guarantees apply.

B1. Enrolment and confirmation

Your place in a class is tentative until full payment is made and a confirmation email is sent to you. The conditions set out in that confirmation email form part of your enrolment terms and are read together with this policy.

B2. How to cancel

Submit your request by email as early as possible, stating your name, the class or workshop, and the reason for the request.

B3. Refunds and deferrals

  • Fees are non-refundable except where a refund or deferral is approved for extended illness or on compassionate grounds, at the discretion of the Principal.
  • Compassionate grounds may include (but are not limited to) bereavement, a disaster in a student’s home town or country requiring the student to return, or a traumatic experience affecting the student’s ability to study.
  • Requests should be emailed as early as possible and before the term or workshop starts.
  • A request to withdraw or defer later than two weeks before the first studio session of the term, or one day before a one-day workshop, is unlikely to be approved, because:
    • tutors are scheduled on the basis of classes and workshops meeting minimum enrolment thresholds.
    • studio session class sizes are limited, and a late withdrawal leaves a place that could otherwise have been filled; and
  • Where a refund or deferral is approved, an administration fee of $75 applies (unless otherwise indicated).

B4. Missed sessions and catch-up classes

  • There is no refund for a missed studio session, and a missed session does not create an entitlement to a catch-up.
  • As a goodwill gesture, if a suitable class has space in the same week, SAS may offer you a place in it.
  • To request a catch up class, email SAS with the session missed and the date, time, location and tutor of your normal session. SAS will advise whether a suitable session with space is available; this is not always possible.

B5. Cancellation by SAS

If a studio session or course is cancelled due to insufficient student numbers, you will be notified and offered a place in a similar course or a 100% refund.

B6. Art Classes for Children — supervision and safety

For classes with school-age students, parents/guardians are asked to escort children to and from the studio and to observe the drop-off and pick-up times (no earlier than 5 minutes before, and no later than 5 minutes after, class). Tutors may be arriving from or departing to other venues, and supervision outside class times cannot be assured. Once a class has started, only enrolled students may remain in the studio. Full supervision and safety conditions are set out in the SAS Terms of Service.

B7. Medical conditions

Students (or the parent/guardian of a child student) should notify SAS at enrolment of any relevant medical condition or allergy.

B8. Your Australian Consumer Law rights

Nothing in Part B limits your rights under the Australian Consumer Law. Our services come with guarantees that cannot be excluded — including that services are provided with due care and skill. Where a service is not delivered as it should be, you may be entitled to a remedy under that law regardless of the terms above.

Responsibilities

  • Students / parents and guardians — submit cancellation and refund requests promptly, with any required documentation, and within the timeframes in this policy.
  • Tutors and assessors — report cancellation requests to SAS administration and keep accurate records in aXcelerate.
  • SAS management — process requests promptly and transparently, apply this policy consistently, and comply with the 2025 Standards for RTOs, the ESOS framework (where applicable) and Australian Consumer Law.

Review

This policy is reviewed annually, or earlier if required, to keep it aligned with the 2025 Standards for Registered Training Organisations, the ESOS framework, the VET Student Loans Act 2016, Australian Consumer Law, and the needs of SAS’s programs.

Sydney Art School (SAS) | RTO #41133 | CRICOS Provider Code: 03554G | ABN 76 163 392 934 Contact: 1300 ART CLASS (1300 278 252) | Email: [email protected] Last updated: 11 September 2026

Sydney Art School Pty Ltd | RTO #41133 | CRICOS Provider Code: 03554G | ABN 76 163 392 934 Hornsby · Baulkham Hills | 1300 278 252