In this statement, references to Flight One are references to Cortex Learning Pty Ltd (RTO 45165 | ABN 77616020485), trading as Flight One School of Engineering.

Introduction 

Australian Vocational education and training students whose providers have access to VET Student Loans are now automatically covered by the Australian Government’s Tuition Protection Service.

The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) assists students whose education providers are unable to deliver their course of study. It was initially established in 2012 as a service for international students. From 1 January 2020, the service was expanded to include eligible domestic students accessing a VET Student Loan at a private education provider. The tuition protection arrangements are sector-funded and underpinned by a sustainable provider levy framework. The levy framework covers the long term costs of tuition protection by requiring all non-exempt VSL providers to pay levies, commensurate with their size and risk.

WHAT HAPPENS IF FLIGHT ONE CEASES TO PROVIDE A COURSE AFTER IT STARTS BUT BEFORE IT IS COMPLETED?

Information for affected students 

Flight One will notify affected students in writing that an approved course of study is no longer provided within 2 business days after Flight One ceases to provide the course after it starts but before it is completed.

As soon as practicable, Flight One will also update its website to reflect that the course is no longer being delivered and to give students information about the tuition assurance arrangements.

Replacement courses

The Commonwealth Department of Education and Training (the Department) (or a consultant engaged by the Department) will work with affected students to identify a replacement course and arrange for students to be placed with replacement providers.

Replacement courses must meet the following requirements:

• the course must lead to the same or comparable qualification as the original course;
• the mode of delivery of the replacement course must be the same as or, with the student’s consent, similar to the mode of delivery for the original course;
• the location of the replacement course must be reasonable, having regard to the costs of, and the time required for, a student’s travel; and
• the student will not incur additional fees that are unreasonable and will be able to attend the replacement course without unreasonable impacts on the student’s prior

Affected students will be offered a replacement course and may seek a review about whether the course offered to them meets the requirements for replacement courses.

A student who accepts the replacement course offered will not be required to pay the replacement provider for the replacement components of the replacement course. However, the fees payable for the remainder of the replacement course may be different from the fees payable for the original course.

A student who accepts the replacement course offered will also receive course credits for parts of the original course successfully completed by the student, as evidenced by:

• a copy of a statement of attainment or other Australian Qualifications Framework certification document issued by the course provider or an authorised issuing organisation in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework; or
• a copy of an authenticated VET transcript issued by the Student Identifiers registrar.

Each affected student will have a period of six (6) months in which to accept the replacement course offer. The Department may extend that period in circumstances that justify an extension.

If an affected student enrols in a course that is not a replacement course, the student may be required to pay additional tuition fees, and might not receive the course credits the student would have received if the student had enrolled in a replacement course.

Re-crediting of students’ VET Student Loan balances 

Where there is no suitable replacement course for a student, the Department (or a consultant engaged by the Department) will notify the student that he or she may apply to Flight One to have their VET Student Loan balance re-credited for the affected parts of the original course. The student may nominate the Department (or a consultant engaged by the Department) to make the application on the student’s behalf.

Flight One will consider students’ applications as soon as practicable and notify them of the decision about the application, together with a statement of reasons for the decision. If an application for a re-credit is accepted, the amount re-credited will be equal to the amount of VET Student Loan assistance received by the student for the affected VET units of study.

Prepaid fees

Flight One does not collect up-front fees of greater than $1500.

For tuition fees paid up-front below $1500, students should be aware that there is no formal protection in place and students will be responsible to seek a refund for these fees directly from Flight One if Flight One fails to provide the agreed services. Flight One has in place a Student Review Policy which is available on our website. If the provider is under external administration, this may require the student submitting a proof of debt with the external administrator.

Record keeping

It is suggested best practice for students to retain assessments, records of competencies or statements of attainment that they receive from their education provider.