Fees & Payments
Understanding your fees before you enrol is important. This page explains what you pay, what is included, how to pay and when you can get a refund. FCA courses are fee-for-service: we do not offer government-subsidised places or VET Student Loans.
Types of fees
There are two categories of fees associated with your enrolment at TheFCA.
Application Fee
Assessing your application and preparing your Letter of Offer
Non-Tuition Fee
Student portal access, orientation, student support and administration
Tuition Fee
Training and assessment, use of our facilities, learning materials and, where your course includes it, coordination of your work placement
Additional costs
The following costs are not included in your course Fees. Please budget for them before your course starts.
FCA Uniform
Required for all practical classes and work placement. Buyit from FCA at enrolment.
Enclosed non-slip shoes
Required in the kitchen for safety.
Knife Kit
Equipment list provided before enrolment.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
International students only. A student visa condition; arrange it with an approved provider before you travel.
Unique Student Identifier (USI)
Free to create at usi.gov.au. We need it before we can issue your certificate.
Payment schedules
You don't pay your whole course upfront. Fees are paid in instalments across your course, as set out in your Letter of Offer.
Domestic students
are invoiced at the start of each study period, as set out in your Enrolment Agreement.
International students
pay no more than 50% of tuition fees before the course starts. The remaining instalments are invoiced across your course, as set out in your Written Agreement.
We're Here to Help
If you are worried about a payment, contact us before it is due and we will talk through your options.
How to pay
Pay by the due date on your invoice, using one of these methods. We do not accept cash.
Bank transfer (EFT)
Our preferred method. Bank details are on your invoice; use your student ID and invoice number as the reference. We do not accept cash payments.
BPAY
Available for domestic students. Your BPAY biller code and reference number are printed on your invoice.
International wire transfer
For payments from overseas. Use your student ID as the reference and allow time for processing. Transfer and currency fees are your responsibility.
If you can't pay on time, contact us before the due date to arrange a plan. If an invoice stays unpaid with no arrangement, your enrolment may be put on hold.
For international students, continued non-payment can lead to cancellation of your enrolment. We will first send you a written notice of our intention to cancel and give you 20 working days to appeal through our complaints and appeals process. If your enrolment is cancelled, we must report it to the Department of Home Affairs, which may affect your visa.
Fee adjustments for Credit Transfer and RPL
If you are granted credit transfer for units you have already completed with another Australian RTO, you won't pay tuition for those units. Credit approved before you enrol is already reflected in your Letter of Offer. Credit approved after you start is applied to your remaining balance. Credit transfer itself is free.
Refunds
TheFCA's full refund policy is set out in your Enrolment Agreement (domestic students) and Written Agreement (international students). The following outlines the key principles.
FCA cancels your course or can't deliver it
A full refund of fees paid for any part of the course not delivered. We contact you and start the refund ourselves; you don't need to apply. For international students, this is paid within 14 days, as the ESOS Act requires, or we offer you a place in another course you accept in writing.
Your student visa is refused
A refund calculated in line with the ESOS Act, as set out in your Written Agreement. Send us a copy of the refusal letter.
You withdraw before your course starts
Please refer to the Refund Policy on policies page.
You withdraw after your course starts
Please refer to the Refund Policy on policies page.
Application fee
Non-refundable
Non-tuition fee
Refunded in full if FCA cancels your course or your visa is refused before the course starts; not refunded once the course has started.
How to request a refund
Complete the Refund Application Form and send it to fees@thefca.edu.au with your student ID, the reason and any supporting documents. We will assess your request in line with our Fee Payment and Refund Policy and give you the outcome in writing.
Approved refunds are processed within 28 days of a completed written request being received and assessed.
If you disagree with a refund decision, you can appeal through our Feedback & Complaints and Appeals forms. International students can then contact the Students Ombudsman.
This does not remove any rights you have under the Australian Consumer Law.
Key dates
Your course start date, instalment due dates and any refund deadlines are set out in your Letter of Offer, your Written or Enrolment Agreement and your invoices. If you are unsure of a date, contact us.
