What is Charter

Charter is a vocational education provider and registered training organisation offering health, aged care, disability and related short courses and qualifications. Charter lists a range of nationally recognised certificates and diplomas, delivery modes (classroom, blended, self-paced and traineeship) and specific course intakes and work placement requirements.

The provider publishes tuition and fee policies that distinguish domestic and international students, and it operates under RTO and CRICOS registration, which sets specific refund and complaint obligations for enrolled students. Charter’s materials, course outlines and fee pages are the primary source for enrolment rules and refund timeframes.

Subscription formulas, plans and what they mean for enrolment

Charter does not use “subscription” in the streaming sense but enrolment categories and delivery options act like plans: short courses, full qualifications and study-and-work packages with different durations and fee rules. Example course types include Certificate III in Individual Support, Certificate IV in Ageing Support and English for healthcare programs.

Key plan differences that affect cancellation and refunds are: eligibility for government subsidies, whether the student is domestic or international, and the delivery mode (intensive, rolling enrolment or term-based). These factors change notice periods and refund percentages.

Course / plan	Typical duration	Delivery modes	Fees
Certificate III in individual support (CHC33021)	4-6 months	Blended, face-to-face, self-paced, traineeship	Varies (see fees page)
Certificate IV in ageing support (CHC43015)	Variable	Classroom / blended	Varies
Study and work program (SWP)	Depends on combination	Combined qualification + english	Varies; may include government subsidised places

How cancellations and withdrawals typically work for Charter enrolments

Charter’s published policies set specific notice windows, refund percentages and processing timeframes that depend on student type (domestic versus international) and timing relative to course commencement. Domestic students have a 14-day window for full refunds in many cases; international students have different thresholds and percentage refunds for withdrawals made more than 28 days or less than 28 days before start.

Refunds and processing times: Charter’s procedures state refunds will normally be processed within 10 working days for domestic-related refunds and within 28 days for international refunds, unless specific statutory processes apply (for example TPS protection for international students).

Common practical consequences to expect: no refund for withdrawal inside the specified short window prior to start, limited or no refund after course commencement unless medical or extreme hardship is documented, and possible holding of funds as credit if refund paperwork is incomplete.

Customer experience and cancellation: analysis and user feedback

What users report

Public listings, directory entries and the provider’s own feedback channels show mostly course-level feedback (quality of training, placement organisation) rather than mass cancellation disputes. External directory pages and local listings include a mix of positive student testimonials about course outcomes and administrative comments on office hours and enrolment support.

Charter’s documentation emphasises formal forms for withdrawal and refund applications, with references to complaint and appeal routes and external mediators such as the Overseas Students Ombudsman and state fair trading bodies for unresolved disputes. This policy-led approach is reflected in user posts that advise carefully following the provider’s refund/withdrawal requirements to avoid delays.

Recurring issues and practical takeaways

Reports and the provider’s own policies reveal a few predictable friction points students encounter when cancelling or seeking refunds:

Timing sensitivity: missed notice windows (for example less than 14 days for domestic refunds, less than 28 days for certain international cases) often eliminate refund entitlement.
Documentation gaps: incomplete refund forms or missing evidence can convert an expected refund into an account credit or a delayed payment.
Subsidy and transfer complexity: government-subsidised places and transfers between providers trigger additional checks and calculations.

What to expect when you start the cancellation process

First, confirm which enrolment type and fee rules apply to you: domestic, international or subsidised place. This determines the notice period, refund percentage and whether the Tuition Protection Service or other statutory protections apply.

Next, compile the required paperwork identified in Charter’s policies: withdrawal forms, refund request forms and any supporting evidence for medical or hardship claims. Expect written confirmation of outcome and specified processing windows.

Keep clear records of every step: form names, dates you acted, and any reference numbers the provider gives you. In disputes, clean documentation materially improves outcomes.

Documentation checklist

Enrolment agreement: copy of the written offer or signed agreement showing fees and start dates.
Proof of payment: receipts or bank/card statements showing fees paid (A$ amounts where possible).
Withdrawal request identifier: the exact form name referenced in the student handbook or policy.
Supporting evidence: medical certificates or evidence of compassionate/compelling circumstances if required.
Appeal records: any written responses from the provider and the dates they were issued.

Common pitfalls and mistakes to avoid

1. Missing the provider’s notice window and assuming a later refund is automatic.
2. Not checking whether your place is government-subsidised or part of a third-party arrangement; subsidy rules change refund entitlements.
3. Failing to use the exact refund/withdrawal forms required by the provider, which can convert a refund into an account credit.
4. Assuming internal appeals will halt statutory reporting obligations (for example visa-related reporting for international students) - the provider may proceed after their internal timeframes.

Fees, refunds and specific Charter rules (service details)

Domestic refund rule of note: Charter states a full refund is normally available for withdrawal 14 days or more before a course or workshop commencement; withdrawals made less than 14 days before start are typically non-refundable.

International refund rule of note: for international students, Charter publishes tiered refunds: for some pre-start withdrawals you may be entitled to 70% or 50% depending on whether you withdraw more or less than 28 days before start; there is generally no refund after course commencement except for documented medical or extreme hardship cases.

Situation	Charter policy outcome	Processing timeframe
Domestic withdrawal ≥ 14 days before start	Full refund	Within 10 working days (typical)
Domestic withdrawal <14 days before start	No refund	Varies
International withdrawal ≥ 28 days before start	Partial refund (e.g. 70%)	Within 28 days
International withdrawal <28 days before start	Smaller partial refund (e.g. 50%)	Within 28 days

Disputes, escalation and external options

If the provider’s internal process does not resolve the claim to your satisfaction, Charter’s policies refer to external avenues: for international student matters the Overseas Students Ombudsman is cited; domestic service-related disputes can be raised with state fair trading bodies and the national training complaints hotline. These bodies assess process compliance and statutory obligations.

As a practical rule, escalate in sequence: use the provider’s documented internal complaints and appeal process first, preserve your evidence, and then lodge an external complaint if internal remedies are exhausted or the provider breaches published policy timeframes.

Proration, billing cycles and account credits

Charter’s student-fee documents note that refunds may be reduced, applied as account credit, or withheld if forms are incomplete or if non-tuition incidental fees apply. Fees in advance for domestic students are protected to a limit (the policy sets the provider’s approach to fees in advance). Check whether your payment was recorded as a prepayment or term fee as this affects refund calculation.

When a provider offers account credit as an outcome, request a written statement that shows how the credit is calculated and any expiry or conditions on its use. Keep that statement in your records.

What to do if a refund is late or disputed

Document the date you submitted the refund request and note the provider’s promised processing window. If the window passes, lodge a formal complaint under the provider’s complaints and appeals policy and keep a copy of the complaint.

If internal appeal timelines expire with no resolution, use the external mediation pathways listed in the student handbook and fees policy. Provide the mediator with a clear timeline, evidence of payment, and your correspondence history.

Practical tips and insider best practices from cancellation specialists

First, match the date on your enrolment documents to the provider’s defined commencement date; many disputes turn on a few days. Next, always request and retain a clear written outcome from the provider showing the refund calculation and payment date.

Check exact wording: the provider’s written agreement usually contains the binding refund rules.
Collect receipts: have itemised proof of A$ amounts paid and the payer name recorded.
Note processing windows: Charter lists explicit processing windows; track them against real dates.
If using subsidies: confirm how transfers or cancellations affect government-funded places.

Address

Address: Charter Australia, Level 3, 53 Walker Street, North Sydney NSW 2060, Australia

What to do after cancelling Charter

After cancellation or withdrawal, obtain written confirmation of the change to enrolment status, the refund calculation and the payment method used for any refund. Store these documents with your original enrolment agreement.

Review secondary implications: for international students, confirm whether a change to enrolment affects visa conditions and whether the provider will notify relevant government systems. If your enrolment affected a government subsidy or third-party payer, verify that those third parties have updated records.

If you still face unresolved issues, open a formal appeal under the provider’s complaints process and prepare to engage external complaint bodies using the evidence you collected. Keep action dates and responses organised to speed any external review.

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