Refunds, remission and program discontinuation

You cannot apply for a re-credit, remission or a refund if you have successfully completed the course.

You must apply within 12 months of withdrawing from the course or in the event that you did not withdraw, within 12 months of the end of the teaching period in which the course was undertaken.

Applications submitted outside the 12-month timeframe will not be considered unless you can clearly demonstrate that it was not possible for you to submit your application within the relevant 12-month period.

International students on a Student Visa

There are visa implications for reducing your enrolment or withdrawing from your program. Before you withdraw from a course or your program, please read this important advice for student visa holders. 

Scholarship holders

It is a condition of your scholarship that you notify the Scholarships Office of any change to your enrolment. If you are advised that your application was successful, please contact the Scholarships Office via scholarships@unsw.edu.au

Special Circumstances are circumstances that:

• are beyond your control; and
• did not make their full impact on you until on or after the census date; and
• made it impracticable for you to complete the requirements for the course in the period during which you undertook, or were to undertake, the course.

Special circumstances do not include a lack of knowledge or understanding of requirements under the schemes or your incapacity to repay a HELP debt.

Circumstances are beyond your control if a situation occurs that a reasonable person would consider is not due to the person’s action or inaction, either direct or indirect, and for which the person is not responsible. This situation must be unusual, uncommon or abnormal.

Circumstances that present their full impact on you on or after the census date include circumstances that:

• occur before the census date, but worsen after the census date; or
• occur before the census date, but the full effect does not become apparent until after the census date; or
• occur only after the census date.

Circumstances that made it impracticable for you to complete the requirements for the course may include (but are not limited to):

• Medical circumstances
• Family/personal circumstances
• Employment related circumstances
• Course-related circumstances

Apply as soon as possible after the problem occurs. You must apply within 12 months of withdrawing from the course, or in the event that you did not withdraw, within 12 months of the end of the teaching period in which the course was undertaken.

Applications submitted outside the 12-month timeframe will not be considered unless you can clearly demonstrate (with supporting documentation) that it was not possible for you to submit your application within the relevant 12-month period.

Current UNSW Sydney students must complete a FEE REMISSION WEBFORM

(Note: multiple courses can be included in one form, however a separate form must be submitted for each term you are applying for)

If you are a UNSW Canberra student or are no longer a student, please use this form (pdf).

Wherever possible, you must provide independent supporting documentation to support your claims.

Where only a personal statement or statutory declaration outlining your circumstances is provided, this will not be sufficient to have your application approved.

If your supporting documentation is not in English, please have this translated by a NAATI accredited translator. If this occurs, you should supply copies of the original document and a complete English translation.

Please be aware that if you provide falsified documents in support of your application, then this will result in one of a range of penalties, from failure in the course to suspension or exclusion. In some cases, the matter could also be reported to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). As a student, you must be aware of your obligations and responsibilities under the Student Code.

For medical reasons, you should submit a letter/statement from your medical practitioner, which states:

• the date your condition began and/or changed,
• how your condition affected your ability to study and
• when (the date) it became apparent that you could not continue with your studies.

You should inform your doctor that the statement will be sent to UNSW in support of your application.

For family/personal reasons, you should submit a statement from a doctor, counsellor or other relevant authority, which states:

• the date your personal circumstances began and/or changed,
• how your circumstances impacted your ability to study and
• when (the date) it became apparent that you could not continue with your studies.

Statutory declarations sighted by an authorised witness may be considered if provided in addition to other independent supporting documentation

For employment-related circumstances, you should submit a letter from your employer which includes the following:

• an outline of your previous work circumstances and your current work circumstances,
• the reason for the change,
• when the change was effective from and
• when it was communicated to you.

For course-related circumstances, you should submit a statement from your Course Authority, School and/or Faculty (if applicable) outlining your circumstances.

Your application together with all supporting documentation provided and in consultation with your Course Authorities, is assessed against the published criteria above.

Please be aware that the University may contact any professional authority who has supported your application, to verify any information they have provided.

In most cases, you will be advised of the outcome of your application within 28 working days of submission.

Submitting an application for fee remission does not mean that it will be granted automatically.

Possible outcomes are:

• No action. You did not clearly demonstrate that your circumstances satisfied all of the criteria. Your enrolment in the course remains, and whatever result you obtain in the course at the end of session will stand.

• Permitted Withdrawal. You clearly demonstrated that your circumstances satisfied all of the criteria and your application has been approved. The Course(s) will not appear on your transcript and the fee will be re-credited, remitted or refunded (whichever is applicable) however, the course(s) will remain on your record with a grade of PW (Permitted Withdrawal). The PW grade does not carry a mark and therefore will not be included in the calculation of your WAM and will not count towards your academic standing. 

Please note that approval for fee remission does not include the Student Services Amenities Fee (SSAF) as your liability for this fee is based on your enrolled subject load as at the relevant incurral date.  

In most cases, you will be advised of the outcome of your application within 28 working days of submission. If there is a delay in processing your application, you will be advised of the reason for the delay within 28 working days of the submission of your application.  All communication will be via your student email account.  If appropriate, the University will advise the relevant Commonwealth Government Authority of the outcome of your application.

Yes. If your application is not successful, you have the right to request one appeal review per application with UNSW. Requests for a review must be made via the Request Appeal button under the 'My Support' tab in the portal and received no later than 28 days from the date of receiving notification of your application outcome.

The Request Appeal form needs to be completed to request a review. It is your responsibility to clearly stipulate the reason(s) you are requesting a review. You may supply any additional documentation which you think supports your review, but this is not a requirement. Any supporting documentation not previously supplied with the application must be submitted with the review request. Your review will be assessed by a senior officer who:

• has not previously made a decision on your application; and
• will assess any new information and documentation provided; and
• who will consider all information and documentation previously submitted.

Commonwealth Supported Students (CSP and FEE-HELP)

If your review with UNSW is unsuccessful, you have the right to appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). You must appeal to the AAT within 28 days of receiving the outcome of your review. UNSW will forward all documents relating to your case to the AAT and if you have additional relevant documentation not already provided to UNSW, please also include that in your appeal to the AAT. For further information, please visit the Administrative Review Tribunal, opens in a new window (the Tribunal). 

Full Fee Paying Students (not CSP)

If your review with UNSW is unsuccessful, you have the right to take this matter to the NSW Ombudsman (Ombudsman). You should contact the Ombudsman within 28 days of receiving the outcome of your review. UNSW will forward all documents relating to your case to the Ombudsman and if you have additional relevant documentation not already provided to UNSW, please also include that in your correspondence to the Ombudsman. For further information, please visit the Ombudsman website, opens in a new window.