Purpose
This policy describes how Orion ensures a consistent approach to fees and charges payable for training products and services by providing clear information on the total costs before the student or client enter into a training contract with Orion.
Principles
• Orion advertises/ communicates all fees and charges for its products and services to potential students (or other entities) prior to them making a decision to engage with Orion.
• Orion undertakes processes to ensure payment is received on time.
• Orion has a number of payment options to assist in making training affordable for students.
Management Approach
Orion has facilities to accept payment of fees and charges by direct deposit, cash, credit card and cheque. Provided the cost per student is less than $1500 the entire course costs can be paid up front or by payment plan using one of these methods. Should the amount exceed $1500 one of two alternate approaches to payment must be followed.
Option One
Instalments- Payment will be made in three equal instalments on the following milestones 1) Prior to commencement, 2) three months from commencement date and 3) six months from commencement date. Each instalment must not exceed $1500.
Where students are unable to pay in three instalments Orion will negotiate weekly or monthly payments directly with the student. Each unit of competency must be paid for prior to commencement of training in that unit.
Option Two
Strata pay- a $500 deposit is paid prior to commencement with a mutually agreed amount paid monthly by direct debit. This monthly payment must not exceed a total of $1500 at any one time.
NOTE – no interest or additional charges apply
User Choice Payments
The government contributes to the cost of a workplace traineeship, and the portion that the student pays is called a co-contribution fee. The co-contribution fee is mandatory, and the amount charged is set by the government.
The concessional discount will only be applied to students who provide a copy of their current health care or concession card. Students who are waiting for a concession card to be issued by Centrelink must provide an official letter from Centrelink confirming that they are eligible for concession at the time of enrolment.
The co-contribution fee may be paid by the student, employer or parent.
The units of competency a student will complete during their traineeship are chosen at the first trainer visit (Induction). Fees are then calculated by adding up the total number of nominal hours on the training plan and multiplying them by $1.60 per hour.
EXAMPLE ONLY
Total nominal hours = 540 hours
540 N/H x $1.60 = $864
Total payable fee = $864
Invoices are payable within 7 days. Overdue fees may affect a students ability to continue training or submit further assessments.
Full fee exemption applies to:
• School-based trainees.
• Students who have finished Year 12 within the last 12 months and are enrolling into a User Choice high priority qualification.
• Students enrolled under a Skilling Queenslanders for Work project – Work Skills Traineeship.
IMPORTANT
Where a school-based trainee graduates from Year 12 and converts to either a full-time or part-time traineeship in the workplace then the student contribution fee will apply for units of competency not yet commenced.
Partial fee exemption applies to:
• Concessional students (holds a concession or Health care card).
• Students who are a dependent of a person who holds a concession or Health care card.
• Students identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
• Students under the age of 17 in February of the year you started training.
An invoice will be emailed to the person nominated to pay the fees. This may the student, their parent or employer.
IMPORTANT
If we don’t receive a copy of your current concession card at enrolment, we are unable to apply the concessional discount and are required to invoice the full fee.
EXAMPLE ONLY
Calculating the concessional rate if the total nominal hours = 540 hrs
540 N/H x $1.60 = $864
40% of the total = $345.60
Total payable fee = $345.60
A student contribution fee is not charged for units of competency achieved through Credit Transfer.
Certificate 3 Guarantee and Higher Level Skills
The investment priority or importance of the training influences the size of the government subsidy. Training in vocational areas that align with important economic and industry skills needs will receive a higher government subsidy. A higher subsidy will also be paid to support participation by disadvantaged learners (concessional students), and those undertaking training in identified country and remote locations.
Students undertaking training under Certificate 3 Guarantee or Higher Level Skills are required to contribute to the cost of training through a co-contribution fee. These fees are published on Orion’s website under ‘Fees and Payments’ and on each qualification information pack.
The fee may be paid on behalf of the student by the employer or a third party such as a job access provider.
Under the free training for Year 12 graduates initiative, the Queensland Government will cover the full cost of training in a high priority qualification. This means eligible participants will not be required to contribute to the cost of their training. Students enrolled under a Skilling Queenslanders for Work project are not required to pay the co-contribution fee. This fee will be paid for by the community-based organisation as part of the project funds.
Reissue of a Qualification
If a student requests that their qualification be reissued there is a $75 reissue fee that
must be paid prior to the qualification being sent or collected.
Statement of Assurance
Where a student requires a statement of assurance in order to gain BAS agent registration a fee of $75 must be paid in advance.
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