Refunds

If you have a credit balance on your account, you may be able to request a refund. The information below sets out the circumstances when a refund will be paid.

You can also refer to the Student Fees Refund Policy & Procedures.

Refunds will be processed after other financial obligations to the University have been discharged, including (but not limited to) library fines, student loans and accommodation charges.

Refund requests are normally processed by the University within 28 days, however payments to overseas bank accounts may take longer, due to additional bank processing times.

Refund payments are normally made directly into a bank account, unless paid by credit / debit card. Bank details are required for all refund requests, even if the refund is to the original credit / debit card*, to ensure payment can be finalised.

* The merchant surcharge fee will also be refunded unless a partial refund is being made, in which case the surcharge fee will not be refunded.

Applying for a refund of a credit balance

Applying for a refund of a credit balance depends on the type of bank account you have. Click on the relevant button below to take you to the right refund request form.

Australian bank account

Overseas bank account

Not a current student? If you are not a current student, or do not have a current University log in password, email studentfinance@adelaide.edu.au to request the Non-Current Student Refund Request Form.

  • Special circumstance refunds

    Students who withdraw from a course(s) after the Census Date, or who are unsuccessful in a course(s), and can demonstrate through independent supporting evidence that their study was affected by Special Circumstances, may apply for an Amendment to Enrolment and Fees within 12 months of the date of withdrawal, or within 12 months from the last day of the replacement exam period if they did not withdraw.

    Please see the Special Circumstances Refund Repayments, Remissions and Re-credits page, if you believe you meet the criteria.

    English Language Centre (Academic English) students who withdraw from their English program and believe they meet the criteria of special circumstances may apply for a Special Circumstances refund.

  • Domestic students

    Refunds will be processed in certain circumstances as set out below.  If a refund is payable, please submit the applicable refund form.  The following table outlines common circumstances, other than Special Circumstances and likely outcomes upon completion and submission of your refund form:

    Circumstance Refund payable HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP remission
    The University is unable to provide in full the academic program offered at any time on or after the advertised starting date Full refund of all tuition fees or Student Contributions paid for that course(s) Full loan liability remitted
    Student withdraws from a course(s) before the Census Date Full refund of all tuition fees or Student Contributions paid for that course(s) Full loan liability remitted
    Student withdraws from a course(s) after the Census Date and no special circumstances apply No refund payable No adjustment or remission made

  • International students

    The following table sets out the University’s policy on refunds of First Tuition Payments or tuition fees paid by international students, other than under Special Circumstances.

    If a refund is payable, students should complete and submit the refund form. The refund will be processed within 28 days except in Circumstance 1 where the refund will be processed within 14 days of the completed refund form being received by the University under normal circumstances. Delays may occur when refunds are paid to overseas bank accounts.

      Circumstance Refund payable
    All students
    1

    University is unable to provide in full the academic program offered at any time on or after the agreed starting date.

    Full refund of all fees paid within 14 days.
    First tuition payment only
    2 Student’s application for a student visa is denied by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) prior to the Census Date* in their First Teaching Period and the student presents certified evidence of the refusal to the University.          
         		 Full refund of all fees paid (including, but not limited to, Pre-Enrolment English Programs, General English for Academic Programs, and all tuition fees paid).
    3

    (a) Student gives written notice to the University of their decision to request a refund and withdraw from their Program at least four (4) weeks before the commencement of their First Teaching Period**;

    or

    (b) University withdraws offer of enrolment based on incorrect and/or incomplete information provided by the applicant or their agent;

    or

    (c) Student does not meet the entry requirements of their conditional offer and has given written notice to request a refund to the University prior to the Census Date of their First Teaching Period.

    		 Refund of all fees paid less 10% of the First Tuition Payment.
    4

    (a) Student gives written notice to the University of their decision to request a refund and withdraw from their Program less than four (4) weeks before the commencement of their First Teaching Period, but before the Census Date.

    (b) Student requests to defer their offer less than (4) weeks before the commencement of their First Teaching Period and then gives written notice to the University of their decision to request a refund and withdraw from their Program prior to the Census Date of their deferred First Teaching Period.

    Refund of all fees paid less 50% of the First Tuition Payment.
    5

    Higher Degree by Research student withdraws from program after acceptance and before the conclusion of their First Teaching Period (first semester).

    Full refund of whichever is lesser: The total amount of tuition fees paid less 20% of the annual indicative tuition fee;

    or

    The total amount of tuition fees paid, less the amount due for the period of time enrolled.

    *After the Census Date in their First Teaching Period requests for refunds will be calculated in accordance with Section 10 of the Education Services for Overseas Students (Calculation of Refund) Specification 2014.

    **Consideration may be given to apply this clause to students who were unable to accept their program more than 4 weeks prior to the commencement of their First Teaching Period.
    Tuition payments not including the First Tuition Payment Only
    6 Coursework students - After First Teaching Period has been completed, and all deposit conditions (as per the offer letter) have been fulfilled, coursework student withdraws from a course(s) before any subsequent Census Dates.

    Full refund of tuition fees paid for that course(s).

     
    7 Higher Degree by Research students - After First Teaching Period (first semester) has been completed, and all deposit conditions (as per the offer letter) have been fulfilled, research student formally withdraws from, or submits their thesis for, their program. Full refund of any tuition fees paid from the date of submission or withdrawal date.
    Additional circumstance specific to Academic English program studies
    8 Student withdraws from their English Language Centre (ELC) Academic English Program after Census Date. The tuition fees will be retained by the University for any 5-week session, once the Census Date has passed. The student will receive a full refund of all tuition fees paid for any future 5-week session(s) remaining in their ELC Academic English program.
    Refunds are not payable in the circumstances set out in 9 - 14 below
    9

    Student withdraws after the Census Date for courses in which student enrolled, and no special circumstances apply.

    		 No refund payable.
    10 Student withdraws from their program after their First Teaching Period Census Date and part of their First Tuition Payment remains unused on their account. No refund payable.
    11 Student is Transfer Restricted and does not provide sufficient evidence to confirm they do not need the University to release their transfer restriction, or their release request has been denied. No refund payable.
    12 Student visa cancelled by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for any reason. No refund payable.
    13 Student does not complete the requirements for a course or program, including a preliminary program such as Pre-Enrolment English Program or bridging program, and no special circumstances apply. No refund payable.
    14 Australian or international law [including but not limited to the Charter of the United Nations (Dealing with Assets) Regulations 2008, Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011, or the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006]  prevents the University from making the refund payment. No refund payable.

International students - overseas student health cover refunds

Refunds of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) will only be processed where the University has arranged OSHC on behalf of a student, and the student has not arrived in Australia.

If a student has arrived in Australia, they will need to contact their OSHC provider directly to arrange any refund of their remaining OSHC policy.