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Refunds
In some circumstances you may need to claim a refund for your fees.
Your course fees are made up of tuition fees for units of study plus non-tuition fees such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Read the Understanding your fees page for more information about the fees you pay as a student.
If you have paid fees directly to the University you may be eligible to claim a refund if you:
- overpaid your fees and have a credit balance in your account
- withdraw from units or suspend or discontinue your course before the census date
- are a research student and submit your thesis before the census date for the research period
- are unable to continue your studies due to special circumstances that were beyond your control and made it impracticable for you to complete your course requirements (e.g. medical reasons).
Domestic students
If you have paid fees directly to the University (that is, you are not paying with a government HELP loan) and you have paid more than your outstanding fee amount you will be eligible to request a refund of the overpaid amount in Sydney Student. If you don’t request a refund, the overpaid amount will be automatically allocated to your future enrolment.
If you have paid fees directly to the University (that is, you are not paying with a government HELP loan) and you withdraw from some or all of your units of study prior to census date, you will be eligible to request a full refund of the tuition fees for the unit(s) in Sydney Student.
You may also be eligible for a full or partial refund of your SSAF, depending on your semester study load.
If you don’t request a refund, any overpaid amounts will be automatically allocated to your future enrolment.
If you discontinue some or all of your units of study after census date you are not eligible for a refund.
However if you are forced to discontinue your course or some or all of your units due to special circumstances that were beyond your control, you may be eligible to apply for a late discontinuation under special circumstances. If your application is approved:
- the fees for your unit(s) will be recredited to your account and automatically allocated to your future enrolment. If you would like to receive the amount in your fee account, you can request a refund in Sydney Student
- you will still be liable for your SSAF, and cannot receive a refund for that amount.
If you are a higher degree by research student, and have paid your SSAF directly to the University, you will be eligible to request a refund if you submit your thesis prior to the census date in the current research period.
International students
If you have paid fees and you have paid more than your outstanding fee amount you will be eligible to request a refund of the overpaid amount in Sydney Student. If you don’t request a refund, the overpaid amount will be automatically allocated to your future enrolment.
If you have paid your fees and you withdraw from some of your units of study prior to census date, you will be eligible to request a refund of the overpaid fees in Sydney Student.
If you have paid fees and you withdraw from all of your units of study prior to census date, you will be eligible to request a refund of tuition fees for the unit(s) under the International Student Fee Refund Policy. The refund amount will be based on when you withdraw.
- If you withdraw prior to the start of semester, you will be eligible for 90% of tuition fees paid.
- If you withdraw after the start of semester but prior to the census date, you will be eligible for 50% of tuition fees paid.
If you don’t request a refund, 100% of the credit balance will be automatically allocated to your future enrolment.
If you withdraw because of special circumstances that were beyond your control you may be eligible for a full refund. You can contact us for advice using the online form.
You may also be eligible for a full or partial refund of your SSAF, depending on your semester study load.
If you discontinue some or all of your units of study after census date you are not eligible for refund.
However if you are forced to discontinue your course or some or all of your units due to special circumstances that were beyond your control, you may be eligible to apply for a late discontinuation under special circumstances. If your application is approved:
- the fees for your unit(s) will be recredited to your account and automatically allocated to your future enrolment. If you would like to receive the amount in your fee account, you can request a refund in Sydney Student
- you will still be liable for your SSAF, and cannot receive a refund for that amount.
If you are a higher degree by research student, and have paid your fees, you will be eligible to request a refund if you submit your thesis prior to the census date in the relevant research period.
How to apply
If eligible, you can request a refund in Sydney Student (go to ‘My finance’, ‘Your finances’, ‘Continue’, then ‘Request refund’).
If you do not have access to Sydney Student you can contact us using the online form.
Refunds can only be sent to the original payment method. If you paid by MasterCard, Visa, American Express or a JCB card and incurred our surcharge, the surcharge will be fully refunded. If you are receiving a partial refund of a payment, the surcharge component will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
If you paid using a prepaid gift card and/or prepaid debit/credit card, you may not be able to receive your refund if you have lost the card or it has expired.
Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
If you've applied for a refund for your tuition fees and you are eligible for a refund of SSAF, you don't need to submit a separate refund application - we will process the refunds together.
If you are only requesting a refund for your SSAF, follow the steps to request a refund in Sydney Student. Read our SSAF page for information on how your SSAF rate is determined based on your study load.
Late discontinuation under special circumstances
If your application for a late discontinuation under special circumstances is approved, we will calculate the amount owed to you. The fees will be recredited to your account and automatically allocated to your future enrolment. If you would like to receive the amount in your fee account, you can request a refund in Sydney Student.
If you were granted a DC grade prior to 1 January 2022 for your unit(s) of study or you are an international student enrolled in a research program, and wish to seek a refund under special circumstances, please contact us using the online form for help.
Last updated: 27 October 2023
