The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) is an initiative of the Australian Government to assist international students whose education providers are unable to fully deliver their course of study.
In the unlikely event that Universal Business School Sydney (UBSS) is unable to deliver the agreed course in full, the student will be offered a refund of all the course money paid to date. The refund will be paid within 14 days, of the day on which the course ceased being provided.
Alternatively, the student may be offered enrolment in an alternative course by UBSS at no extra cost. The student has the right to choose a full refund of tuition fees, or to accept a place in another course. If a placement in another course is chosen the student will be asked to sign an offer letter indicating acceptance of the placement.
In accordance with the requirements of the National Code, Group Colleges Australia acknowledges the right of a student to involve independent third parties for the resolution of disputes, including the right to take action under Australia’s consumer protection laws.
For Australian Domestic FEE HELP Students
UBSS tuition assurance statement for FEE HELP students.
a)Tuition assurance protects students in the event a course of study provided by an approved HELP provider ceases to be provided after it starts but before it is completed.
b)As an approved higher education provider under the Higher Education Support Act 2003, Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd Trading As Universal Business School Sydney (UBSS) ABN: 11 085 429 732 ACN: 085 429 732 must meet the tuition assurance requirements or be exempt from those requirements.
c)It is intended that, from 1 January 2018, UBSS will be exempted from the requirement to meet the tuition assurance requirements. Instead, UBSS is required to comply with interim arrangements which ensure similar tuition assurance protection is provided to students.
d)This statement sets out the interim arrangements for tuition assurance that will apply from 1 January 2018 and UBSS’s obligations from that date.
e)If any changes occur to the proposed arrangements outlined below, a revised statement will be provided on UBSS’s website and advised to all students that have enrolled in the intervening period.
What happens if UBSS ceases to provide a course of study?
Information for affected students
f)UBSS will notify affected students in writing that a course of study is no longer provided within 2 business days after UBSS ceases to provide the course.
g)As soon as practicable, UBSS will also update its website to reflect that the course is no longer being delivered and to give students information about the tuition assurance arrangements.
h)Affected students may choose either course assurance arrangements or apply to UBSS for a re-credit of their HELP balance.
Course Assurance
i)The Commonwealth Department of Education and Training (the Department) (or a consultant engaged by the Department) will work with affected students to identify a replacement course and arrange for students to be placed with a second provider.
j)Replacement courses must meet the following requirements:
- the course must lead to the same or comparable qualification as the original course
- the mode of delivery of the replacement course must be the same as or, with the student’s consent, similar to the mode of delivery for the original course
- the location where the replacement course is primarily delivered must be reasonable, having regard to the costs of, and the time required for, a student’s travel; and
- the student will not incur additional fees that are unreasonable and will be able to attend the replacement course without unreasonable impacts on the student’s prior commitments.
k)Affected students will be offered a replacement course and may seek a review about whether the course offered to them meets the requirements for replacement courses.
l)A student who accepts the replacement course offered will not be required to pay the second provider for the replacement components of the replacement course. However, the fees payable for the remainder of the replacement course may be different from the fees payable for the original course.
m)The student will also receive course credits for parts of the original course successfully completed by the student, as evidenced by a copy of a statement of attainment or other Australian Qualifications Framework certification document issued by the course provider or an authorised issuing organisation in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework.
n)Each affected student will have a period of six (6) months in which to accept the replacement course offer. The Department may extend that period in circumstances that justify an extension.
o)If an affected student enrols in a course that is not a replacement course, the student may be required to pay additional tuition fees, and might not receive the course credits the student would have received if the student had enrolled in a replacement course.
Re-credit of HELP balance
p)Where the student prefers to apply for a re-credit of their HELP balance for the affected parts of the original course, the student may nominate the Department (or a consultant engaged by the Department) to make the application on the student’s behalf.
q)UBSS will consider students’ applications as soon as practicable and notify them of the decision about the application, together with a statement of reasons for the decision. If an application for a re-credit is accepted, the amount re-credited will be equal to the amount of HELP assistance received by the student for the affected units of study.
Record keeping
r)It is suggested best practice for students to retain assessments, records of competencies or statements of attainment that they receive from their education provider.
For International Students
If UBSS is unable to provide a refund, or place the student in an alternative course, then, under Division 3 of the Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation amendment (Tuition Protection Service and Other Measures) Act 2012, (TPS ESOS 2012), TPS Director will provide the student with options for suitable alternative courses (if any such courses are available). UBSS will notify, in writing, the Secretary and the TPS Director of the default within 3 business days of the default occurring. UBSS will also notify, in writing, the students to whom the default has affected.
Under Division 4 of the TPS ESOS 2012 Act, payments can be made out of the Overseas Students Tuition Fund to refund students, and to reimburse providers who provide students with alternative courses, if UBSS has failed to discharge its obligations. (This is called making a call on the OSTF.)
In accordance with the requirements of the National Code, UBSS acknowledges the right of a student to involve independent third parties for the resolution of disputes, including the right to take action under Australia’s consumer protection laws. UBSS’s dispute resolution processes do not circumscribe the student’s right to pursue other legal remedies.
For further details on the TPS Scheme, visit:
Group College Australia’s dispute resolution processes do not circumscribe the student’s right to pursue other legal remedies.
