Short course policies

Course withdrawal

If a student wishes to cancel their enrolment for a short course due to changing circumstances, they must do so in writing by email to shortcourses@aftrs.edu.au as soon as possible.

AFTRS short courses are confirmed when minimum enrolment numbers are reached, and we then make various financial commitments to lecturers and other costs. Where a refund is sought within two weeks before a course commencing, or after a course commencing, costs for running the course have already been incurred and other potential course participants may have been turned away.

AFTRS will refund or issue a credit note of all or part of a student’s fees in the following circumstances:

15 DAYS OR MORE PRIOR TO COURSE COMMENCEMENT DATE

A 100% refund of course fees paid will be provided to students withdrawing from a course 15 days or more prior to course commencement date.

14 DAYS OR LESS PRIOR TO COURSE COMMENCEMENT DATE

An option of either 100% credit note or 50% refund of course fees paid will be provided to students withdrawing from a course 14 days or less prior to course commencement date.

AFTER COURSE COMMENCEMENT Date

No refund or credit note will be provided to students withdrawing from a course after course commencement date.

EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES

In exceptional circumstances, a student may request consideration for either a full or partial credit note or refund. Approval of any credit notes or refund for exceptional circumstances is solely at the discretion of AFTRS. These circumstances must be communicated in writing in a timely manner. Any request for exceptional circumstances should be able to be supported by documentation. AFTRS may request this documentation.

Exceptional circumstances are ones in which the student’s ability to complete the course is unexpectedly directly impacted.

Please note, exceptional circumstances do not include changing work arrangements or change of mind.

Transfers and substitutions

AFTRS does not offer transfers between courses after course commencement. AFTRS can only offer transfers to other courses currently open for enrolments, and any difference in cost is to be covered by the student.

We do allow substitutions (i.e. another individual can take your place) if we are notified in writing of the change before course commencement.

Cancellation of course by AFTRS

AFTRS reserves the right to cancel any course at any time due to unforeseen circumstances. In the event of a course being cancelled by AFTRS prior to commencement a 100% refund or credit note of the course fees paid will be provided.

Should AFTRS need to cancel a course after commencement, but before its completion, reasonable efforts will be made to reschedule. If rescheduling is not feasible, it is at AFTRS sole discretion to issue either full or partial credit notes depending on the circumstances.

AFTRS will make every effort to ensure the scheduled run of any course.

IF TRAVELLING TO ATTEND A COURSE

If you are planning to travel to attend a course, please confirm with AFTRS that the course is confirmed before you make your travel bookings. This decision is dependent on course enrolments meeting minimum numbers. AFTRS is not liable for any travel or accommodation costs incurred through course cancellation at any time.

CREDIT NOTES

AFTRS will only issue credit notes to the individual who paid for the course, however, that individual can use the credit note to enrol any other individual.

You can redeem your credit note against any Short Course. A credit note is valid for 12 months from issue date, with no option to extend. A credit note is non-refundable and not redeemable for cash. A credit note can be used in multiple transactions prior expiry until full value is used.

Early Bird Discount

AFTRS offers a 10% discount off the course price of Short Courses for applicants paying 14 days or more in advance of the course commencement.

AFTRS Staff and Student Discount

AFTRS staff (fixed term and ongoing) and AFTRS students (award courses), and any of their immediate family members, are entitled to a 30% discount off the standard course price of all Short Courses.

AFTRS Alumni Discount

AFTRS alumni (graduates of our awards courses) are entitled to a 30% discount off the standard course price of all AFTRS Short Courses. Contact us at shortcourses@aftrs.edu.au to get your alumni promo code.

AFTRS Summer 2025 Discount

The SUMMER2025 discount promo code offers 15% off the full course price of ALL Intensive Short Courses being delivered in January & February 2025. The promo code is available for a limited time only, and strictly only for enrolments completed between Monday 2nd December 2024 – Tuesday 31st December 2024.

The promo code, SUMMER2025, is listed on all eligible course webpages and can be applied at checkout by anyone for redemption. The promo code cannot be used in conjunction with any other promo code.

AFTRS Short Courses standard cancellation terms, as listed above, apply to all enrolments made using the SUMMER2025 discount promo code. If a student requests, and meets requirements for, a transfer to a different or later course run that is no longer in the eligible timeframe for the SUMMER2025 promo code the student is required to pay any difference in price.

At its discretion, AFTRS will make subsidised position(s) available to Indigenous Australians to attend an AFTRS short course. Once your application is approved you are then to contact us on 1300 223 877 to arrange payment of 50% to secure your place in the course. Individuals are able to receive one subsidy per financial year.

Eligibility

To be eligible for assistance, applicants must address the following criteria:

• Identify and be accepted by their community as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person.
• Have relevant industry knowledge, experience and a commitment to using knowledge gained in the course in the future.
• Be 18 years or older
• Not currently enrolled as a full-time student at AFTRS

Guidelines

• The offer of a subsidised position on a short course is solely at the discretion of AFTRS. AFTRS will not provide any reasons pertaining to these decisions.
• AFTRS reserves the right not to accept applicants into its short courses.
• A position(s) offered for a short course is contingent on the AFTRS course running.
• If the short course is deemed full prior to an application being received AFTRS will be unable to process the application. AFTRS will advise the applicant of proposed future relevant course dates for which the applicant may apply.
• If you would like further information about applying for a subsidy, please contact the First Nations team on first.nations@aftrs.edu.au 

Apply for a Short Course First Nations Subsidy

AFTRS gift certificates can be used on any AFTRS short course (provided there are spaces available).

Gift certificates are available for purchase for any amount over $50.00. Gift certificates can only be paid for via credit card. To purchase call us on 1300 223 877 or email shortcourses@aftrs.edu.au.

Under 18 Policy

Unless a course is an ‘Intro’ course or it is specifically stated on the course webpage, AFTRS short courses are developed to suit an adult market (over 18) and are only open to students aged 18 years+.

All Introductory courses are available to students aged 16 years+ and any others will be clearly stated on the course webpage. For these courses the following conditions and considerations will apply:

• AFTRS requires a signed parent/guardian/ Under 18 Consent Form (can be found below) for an Adult Course, returned prior to course commencement to shortcourses@aftrs.edu.au
• Lecturers presenting AFTRS short courses, with a person or persons under the age of 18 attending, have a Working With Children (or equivalent) check that meets the legal requirements of the State or Territory in which they are teaching.
• At any time that a person or persons under the age of 18 attending a Short Course and are in a session where the lecturer is not present in (physically or virtually) i.e. a breakout room in zoom then an AFTRS staff member with a Working With Children (or equivalent) check is present in the session at all times.