Overview
At Sydney Community College, we know that plans can change unexpectedly. Whether it’s a shift in your schedule, a family emergency, or just a change of heart, we want to support you in the fairest way possible.
At the same time, we’re a not-for-profit organisation that commits resources to running each class—so last-minute cancellations can significantly impact our ability to offer quality, affordable programs.
That’s why we’ve created a simple, transparent policy that balances your need for flexibility with our need to plan and deliver courses sustainably. Our cancellation policy offers two clear options, depending on when you notify us:
Option 1: Cancel More Than 10 Days Before the Course Starts – You can choose to receive a full refund, minus a $45 administration fee OR a non-refundable credit note for the full value you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Option 2: Cancel Within 10 Days of the Course Starting - You’ll receive a credit note for 50% of the course fee you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Please note that both refund and credit options are only available before the course begins. Once the course has started—or if you decide to withdraw after it has commenced—no refunds or credits can be issued. If you need to cancel your enrolment, just email us and we’ll take care of it based on the timelines above.
FAQs
Do I need to provide a medical certificate or proof?
No. We understand that everyone has their own personal reasons for needing to cancel. Our policy is designed to be open, transparent, and fair—no evidence required.
Can I request a transfer to another class instead?
To keep things simple and flexible, we don’t arrange transfers. Instead, you can cancel your enrolment and use either the refund or a credit you are eligible for to book into any future course—including a future date of the same class if available. This approach avoids waitlists or needing to match exact course timetables, giving you more freedom to choose what works for you.
Can I use my credit on any other course?
Yes! Your credit can be used on any course offered by the College—not just the one you originally booked. It’s valid for 12 months from the date it’s issued, so you have time to choose what suits you best.
Why can’t I get a full refund within 10 days of the course starting?
By the time a course is less than 10 days away, many of the key costs involved in running it—like tutor fees, venue hire, and materials—have already been committed. If someone withdraws at that point, it’s usually too late to fill the spot, and the place often goes unused. While some education providers offer no refund or credit when personal circumstances change, we’ve chosen a more balanced approach. By offering a 50% credit, we aim to support you with a change or issue in your personal circumstance. We believe it’s a equitable approach that supports our students and supports the College's operations.
What if the College cancels the course?
If the College cancels a course for any reason (e.g. low enrolments, tutor illness), you’ll be offered a full refund or the option to transfer into another course of your choice.
What happens if I paid using a gift voucher?
If you cancel your enrolment and originally paid with a gift voucher, any refund or credit will be issued in the form of a new non-refundable gift voucher or credit note—depending on the timing of your cancellation. The standard $45 administration fee will still apply if cancelling more than 10 days before the course start date.
Additional Details
Credit Notes: If you're eligible for a credit, the amount is based on what you actually paid—this includes any combination of payment methods such as cash, credit card, gift voucher, or previous credit, and takes into account any discounts applied at the time of purchase. Example: If a course normally costs $200, but you paid $175 because of a promotional discount, your 50% credit would be calculated from the $175 you actually paid—not the full course price. Credit notes are valid for 12 months from the date they are issued, they are non-refundable and can be used toward any future course.
Cancellations Before a Course Starts: You can cancel your enrolment any time before the first class begins. However, once the course has started—or if you withdraw partway through—we're unable to offer a refund or credit, regardless of your reason for withdrawing.
Payments Made by Gift Voucher: If you originally paid with a gift voucher, any refund or credit will be reissued as a new gift voucher or credit note, depending on when you cancel. If your cancellation is more than 10 days before the course starts, the standard $45 administration fee will still apply.
How “10 Days Before” is Calculated: For the purposes of our policy, “10 days before the course starts” means 240 hours before the scheduled start time of your first class. This is a rolling countdown—so it applies regardless of weekends or public holidays. Example: If your course starts at 6:00pm on Monday 8 July, we must receive your cancellation request by 6:00pm on Friday 28 June for you to be eligible for a full refund (minus the admin fee).
Submitting a Cancellation Request: All cancellations must be made in writing, such as by email. The date and time we receive your written request (not when you send it) determines which refund or credit option applies.
Policy Changes: Please note that our course cancellation policies and procedures may change from time to time without notice. The applicable policy is the one in effect at the time your written cancellation request is received.