International & Domestic Students

Terms and Conditions of Enrolment

Enrolment Conditions

All enrolments are subject to the conditions set out in this document. This document forms a binding contract between the Stainless Steel and Aluminium Welding Academy ( “the Welding Academy”) and students enrolled at the Welding Academy. Enrolment at the Welding Academy constitutes full acceptance of the conditions laid out herein.
The Welding Academy reserves the right to refuse enrolment to any applicant in the interests of the welfare of the Welding Academy, the applicant, or other students of the Welding Academy.
When the applicant has paid the fees in full into the Public Trust account, they will be sent an “Offer of Place” and a receipt of fees, which include costs for administration and PPE. Enrolment is then complete.
The Offer of Place is valid for 14 days from date of issue. Remittance of fees in full constitutes the student’s acceptance of the Offer of Place. The Welding Academy may enrol students after the Offer has expired, but reserves the right to alter conditions of enrolment, including course start dates and fees.
The student is not entitled to tuition until the enrolment process has been completed.
If the student wishes to alter the agreed period of enrolment, written advice of the new dates must be provided to the Welding Academy at least 7 days before the original commencement date or the new commencement date, whichever is the sooner.
The student is responsible for arranging all Visas and travel necessary to take up the enrolment. The Welding Academy can refer the student to an immigration agent if assistance is required.
The student must abide by the Welding Academy rules for the period of enrolment.

Course Curriculum

The Welding Academy reserves the right to alter course arrangements and curriculum at any time. While all reasonable effort will be made to provide timely advice on changes to students, this may not always be possible.

Payment of Fees

Course and administrative fees for the entire enrolment period must be paid within 21 days of invoice, at least 5 working days before commencement of the study programme, or immediately upon enrolment, whichever date is the soonest after acceptance into the Welding Academy has been confirmed.
For a course that is 3 months or longer in duration, tuition fees will be held in trust until 10 working days after commencement of study.
The fee schedule may be reviewed from time to time and changes in fees will take effect for existing students from the next scheduled payment.
All course fees are calculated in complete weeks. For calculation purposes, part weeks are counted as complete weeks.
Days when circumstances beyond the Welding Academy’s control prevent normal operation (including, but not limited to, natural disaster and civil emergency) are considered as normal operating days.

Cancellations and Refunds

All cancellations must be made in writing.

Refund Policy

The Welding Academy is not responsible for the issue of Visas and there is a cost to the processing of all applications. Please be aware of the Welding Academy refund policy for applications whereby a Visa is denied or a student withdraws/cancels their application for enrolment. See Cancellations and Refunds.

Domestic Students

Domestic students are entitled to a refund if they withdraw from a course up to the 8th day after the start of the course. The Welding Academy will refund an amount equal to the sum of the amount paid less a deduction of the lessor of 10% of the fees paid or $500.00.

International Students

If the course is of 3 months duration or more and the withdrawal occurs up to the end of the 10th working day after the first day of course, the Welding Academy may deduct up to 25% of the fees paid, provided costs to this amount were incurred and justified.

If the course is 5 weeks or more but less than 3 months and the withdrawal occurs up to the end of the 5th day after the start of the course the Welding Academy will pay an amount equal to the fees paid less a deduction of 25%.

An International Student claiming a refund of fees shall discuss this with the Manager and submit a claim using the Public Trust Student Refund Form. If verified payment will be arranged within one calendar month.

If the withdrawal of a student is due to the student’s failure to obtain an appropriate visa or a change in circumstances, the tuition fees paid will be refunded in full, minus a $500 administration fee.

If a student is enrolled in a course that is cancelled before the agreed start date, the student is entitled to a full refund of all fees, including administrative costs. The student may request a transfer to a different course without penalty and without incurring additional administrative costs.

No refunds will be made:

Where Students’ enrolment is terminated because of misbehaviour, poor attendance or violation of the rules.
Where Students wish to transfer to another school for whatever reason.
Where Students return home for any reason other than the Student’s serious illness or death or serious illness of a close member of the family.
For statutory days that fall within the course. This has been taken into account to ensure NZQA requirements are fulfiled.
Due to reasons beyond the control of the Welding Academy.

Absence or Illness

Students are not eligible for fee refunds or reconsideration of enrolment terms on the basis of:

- Late arrival at the Welding Academy
- Absence during the course without prior arrangement.

The commencement date of study will not be reconsidered and extension of study will not be granted on the basis of any of the reasons outlined in clause 6.1.
If the student terminates the course of study after formal disciplinary action, the student is not entitled to any refund of fees.
Students absent from class for illness for a period of more than 3 days must provide a doctor’s certificate upon their return.
Illness is not a basis for an automatic refund of fees or extension of study.
However, a student may be granted an extension at the sole discretion of the Welding Academy’s Director.

Holidays

The Welding Academy observes N.Z. statutory holidays.
Statutory holidays are considered as normal operating days.

Leave of Absence

The student may apply to take up 2 weeks’ leave within 24 weeks of study, with no penalty and no loss of course fees. Such holidays must be taken in blocks of complete weeks.
Course fees already paid for the holiday leave may be credited to additional week(s) as an extension of the current enrolment period. These fees will not be refunded or credited to another student.
Permission for such leave must be requested at least one week before the intended holiday commencement date.
Students wishing to take holidays under provisions of clause 7.1 for a period less than one week may apply for a week’s holiday but may still attend the class for up to 2 days during the period of arranged
No refunds or extensions will be granted for unauthorised holidays taken outside the provisions of clauses 7.1 – 7.3.
No extensions of study can be granted for students exercising the provisions of clause 7.4.
Permission for holidays and granting of an extension of study is at the sole discretion of the Welding Academy’s Director.

Course Attendance and Behaviour

The student must attend all courses and arranged activities and complete all assigned course work.
The student must behave well at all times, including when at the Welding Academy, while on Welding Academy activities, or in any other situation where student could be identified with the Welding Academy.
The student must obey all laws of New Zealand, including full compliance with the terms and conditions of his/her permit to stay in New Zealand.

Liability

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that he/she has adequate medical and travel insurance. The Welding Academy cannot be held responsible for any sickness, injury, damage or loss suffered by the student within the Welding Academy or while involved on Welding Academy activities.
Students are recommended to obtain personal insurance cover as appropriate to protect their property for the duration of their stay in New Zealand.

Grievances

If the student wishes to make a complaint against the Welding Academy, or its staff, the grievance should be first referred to the student’s tutor. If the matter cannot be resolved, or if the student’s tutor is involved in the complaint, the matter should be referred to the Manager.
The grievance may be referred to the Managing Director for settlement.
If a student is dissatisfied with the outcome, they can make a complaint to NZQA or (in the case of financial and contractual disputes) to Fairway Resolution, the appointed Operator of the Dispute Resolution Scheme (DRS).
Students who are dissatisfied with the service provided by an education provider must first work through the provider’s complaints process.
If students are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal complaints process, or if the dispute is still deadlocked after 2 months, students can lodge a complaint with the Quality Commission.

With thanks to The Quality Commission