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Fee credits and refunds

Understand when you may receive a fee credit, and if you can get a refund.

When can I get money back?

If you've paid fees that you no longer owe, you may receive a credit payment on your student account. You can use a credit to pay future fees or apply for a refund.

This applies to tuition fees and the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

To check whether you have a credit, access your Fee Account Statement.

Eligible circumstances

Circumstances when you may be eligible to receive a credit and/or apply for a refund.

  • You may be eligible for a fee credit or refund if you:

    • Withdraw from a subject
      If you withdraw before the subject’s census date, any fees you’ve already paid will be credited to your student account. If you have other fees due, the credit will be used towards them. Otherwise, you can keep the credit for future fees or apply for a refund.
    • Go part-time or take leave
      If you reduce your study load or take a leave of absence before your subject census dates, you may receive a credit for fees you’ve already paid. This may include tuition fees and SSAF.
    • Change to citizenship or permanent residency status
      If your status changes from international fee-paying to domestic fee-paying or a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), you may have paid more than you owe. To be eligible for a refund, your status must change before your subject’s census date. You can’t get a refund for fees from past census dates.

  • If you could not finish a subject due to special circumstances, you may be able to apply for fee remission.

    Fee remission is a separate process from applying for a refund. If your application is approved, your fees will be reversed and any resulting credit can be refunded or used towards future fees.

    This process also covers HELP debt cancellation and Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) re-crediting for CSP students.

  • If you have paid more than you owe for any reason, you may have a credit on your account. This can happen if you pay the wrong amount or make a duplicate payment.

Before applying for a refund

You may need to complete one of these steps first to receive a credit payment.

Withdraw from subjects

If you no longer intend to complete a subject you’ve enrolled in, you can withdraw from it. Make sure you understand the relevant deadlines.

Withdraw from subjects

Apply for a Leave of Absence

If you wish to take time off from the course you're currently enrolled in, you may be able to apply for a Leave of Absence.

Apply for leave

Apply for fee remission

You can apply if you were unable to complete a subject’s requirements due to special circumstances. This process also covers HELP debt cancellation and Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) re-crediting for CSP students.

Apply for remission

Change your citizenship or residency status

You can apply if you were unable to complete a subject’s requirements due to special circumstances. This process also covers HELP debt cancellation and Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) re-crediting for CSP students.

Change your status

Withdraw from your course

If you no longer wish to continue studying your course, you  can apply to withdraw.

Withdraw from course

Apply for a refund

Learn how to apply and how long it takes.

Apply for refund