Providers and partners

Student withdrawals and refunds

Domestic students

Domestic students are entitled to a refund if they withdraw from a programme or training scheme as per section 235 of the Education Act 1989, and if:

the course is of three months duration or more
the withdrawal occurs up to the end of the eighth day after the start of a course.

The private training establishment (PTE) must refund an amount equal to the sum of the amount paid less a deduction of the lesser of 10 per cent of the fees paid or $500.

With effect from 2 June 2018, domestic students withdrawing from courses of less than three months duration are entitled to a refund, under section 235(1A) of the Education Act 1989.

NZQA-specified withdrawal periods and refund amounts for domestic students on courses of under three months

NZQA specifies the following withdrawal periods and refund amounts for domestic students on courses of under 3 months under section 235(1A) of the Education Act 1989:

Course length	Withdrawal period	Refund amount
For courses of two days or less	None	Any refund is at the PTE's discretion
For courses of more than two days but under five weeks	Up to the end of two calendar days of the course commencing	A minimum of 50% of the amount the student paid in respect of the course
For courses of five weeks or more but less than three months	Up to the end of five calendar days of the course commencing	A minimum of 75% of the amount the student paid in respect of the course

Course means a programme or training scheme in which a student is enrolled.

International students

International students are entitled to a refund as follows.

Courses three months or more

If the course is of three months duration or more and the withdrawal occurs up to the end of the tenth working day after the first day on which the PTE requires the student to attend the establishment:

In such cases the PTE may deduct up to 25 per cent of the fees paid, provided the PTE incurred costs to this amount and can justify these costs.

(As per section 235A(1)(a) and (b) of the Education Act and as set out in the Education (Refund Requirements for International Students) Notice 2012.

Courses five weeks or more but less than three months

If the course is of five weeks or more but less than three months and the withdrawal occurs up to the end of the fifth day after the start of the course:

In such cases, the PTE must pay an amount equal to the fees paid less a deduction of 25 per cent.

(As per section 235A(1)(c) and (d) of the Education Act.)

Courses under five weeks

If the course is under five weeks and the withdrawal occurs up to the end of the second day after the start of the course:

In such cases, the PTE must pay an amount equal to the fees paid less a deduction of 50 per cent. However, if two days constitutes the full amount of tuition paid for by the student, the PTE may retain 100 per cent of the payment

(As per section 235A(1)(c) and (d) of the Education Act.)

PTE's own refund policy

These are minimum requirements. International students are entitled to a refund in line with a PTE's own refund policy. This may allow for amounts greater than the above. In special circumstances a PTE may also elect to make a refund that is greater than specified in its refund policy.

To decide which category applies, access the Student Fee refund Flow Chart (GIF, 50KB).