Terms & Conditions

Introduction

1. This website is owned and operated by Australian Special Skills and Services PTY LTD ACN 634 862 454.
2. The terms “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Australian Special Skills and Services PTY LTD.
3. By browsing the Website or progressing through Australian Special Skills and Services online screening tool you agree that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree with the Terms, you must cease usage of the Website, or any of its Services, immediately.
4. Australian Special skill and Services reserves the right to review and change any of the Terms by updating this page at any time at its sole discretion. When Australian Special Skills and Services updates the Terms, it will use reasonable endeavours to provide users with notice of updates to the Terms. Any changes to the Terms take immediate effect from the date of their publication. Before you continue, we recommend you keep a copy of the Terms for your records.
5. If you choose to utilize our service, you are acknowledging that you have read and agree to be bound by the terms outlined below.

Our Service

1. Australian Special Skills and Services functions as an education consultant and is not a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Its role primarily involves acting as an intermediary between potential students and a Registered Training Organisation.
2. Australian Special Skills and Services, in collaboration with Registered Training Organisations (RTO), may offer Nationally Recognised Training in accordance with sections 116 and 117 of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011. It is important to note that all certifications and qualifications are granted by the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and not by Australian Special Skills and Services.
3. As an educational facilitator, Australian Special Skills and Services can offer a range of services for a specified fee. These services may include, but are not limited to:
   
   • Helping you find a suitable nationally recognized qualification offered by a partnering Registered Training Organization (RTO)
   • Assisting you with enrolling in a suitable nationally recognized qualification offered by a partnering RTO
   • Supporting you in preparing and submitting an application for Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) with a partnering RTO.
4. In order to access our services, you need to fill out our 'Online Application' form and submit the specified Service Fee.
5. We highly recommend that if you are planning to apply for RPL, you should start by completing our 'Free Skills Assessment' available on our website. Additionally, we suggest that you contact us over the phone to undergo an 'Initial Skills Assessment' before filling out our 'Online Application' form and submitting the specified Service Fee. It will help us determine your eligibility for RPL and suggest the best course of action for you.
6. Upon receiving your completed 'Online Application' form, along with any necessary supporting documentation and evidence, as well as the specified Service Fee, we will proceed to submit your application to the appropriate partner Registered Training Organization (RTO) for assessment.

Payment Policy

1. The Service Fee is due and payable by the applicant to Australian Special Skills and Services in exchange of our Service.
2. Prior to the commencement of our service, it is a requirement that you make full payment of the specified Service Fee to us.
3. We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to consider accepting a deposit to initiate the provision of our services.
4. You have the flexibility to settle the specified Service Fee by selecting any of the following payment methods:
   
   • Direct Debit
   • Credit Card
   • Electronic Funds Transfer
5. If you opt to make the specified Service Fee payment through Direct Debit, your agreement includes the following terms:
   
   • After the establishment of the Direct Debit arrangement, it cannot be modified or halted subsequently, particularly when we are in the process of providing our service to you.
   • You bear the responsibility for covering any third-party costs and expenses associated with the Direct Debit arrangement. This includes, but is not limited to, establishment and processing fees, which may vary periodically.
   • Ensuring that there are adequate funds available to fulfill your payment obligations under the Direct Debit arrangement is your responsibility.
   • Fees incurred by Australian Special Skills and Services resulting from your failure to maintain sufficient funds for meeting payment obligations under the Direct Debit arrangement will be passed on to you.
   • Australian Special Skills and Services may, at our absolute discretion, consider varying or stopping a direct debit arrangement. If such an agreement is reached, a fee of $120.00 will be applicable and must be paid by you.
6. Australian Special Skills and Services retains the right to report any outstanding debts to relevant credit reporting bodies in accordance with applicable law.

Refund Policy

1. You are entitled to receive a complete refund of the specified Service Fee or any paid deposit amount if:
   
   • In the event that our partner RTO rejects your application for enrollment; or
   • If our partner RTO is unable to deliver the course to which your application for enrollment pertains; or
   • You are eligible for a refund as per the Australian Consumer Law under other circumstances outlined in the relevant regulations.
2. You are not eligible to receive a refund of the specified Service Fee or any deposit amount paid if:
   
   • If you change your mind or no longer require our Service; or
   • If you fail to provide the supporting documentation/evidence required by a partner RTO within the specified timeframe; or
   • If you are unable to provide the supporting documentation/evidence required by a partner RTO within the specified timeframe, considering that we previously informed you in writing of the supporting documentation/evidence requirements before paying the specified Service Fee or any deposit amount to us; or
   • If you refuse to undergo the gap training required by a partner RTO, provided that we informed you in writing, before paying the specified Service Fee or any deposit amount to us, that you may be required to undertake gap training and be aware of the associated additional costs; or
   • If you submit false or fraudulent documentation/evidence in support of your application.
3. We reserve the right, at our absolute discretion, to decide whether to issue a full or partial refund in circumstances other than those outlined above.
4. To request a refund, you must submit your request in writing to us by emailing refunds@australianspecialskillservices.com.au. We commit to informing you of the outcome of your refund request within 14 days of receiving it via email.
5. Upon completion of the assessment of a refund request and its approval, the refund will be processed within 14 business days. The refund will be issued using the same method you employed for the original payment, and it will not include reimbursement for any transfer, bank, or merchant fees incurred by you during the initial payment.

Timeframes

1. If you are applying for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), it is necessary to submit the required supporting documentation/evidence to us within 6 to 8 weeks of completing our 'Online Application' form.
2. If you need additional time to submit the necessary supporting documentation/evidence to us, required by a partner RTO, you can request an extension by sending an email to compliance@australianspecialskillservices.com.au. All extension requests must be in writing and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We commit to responding to your extension request within 7 days of receiving it via email.
3. Typically, an application for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be evaluated by a partner RTO within 4 weeks after we furnish them with your completed 'Online Application' form and the supporting documentation/evidence. Please note that this timeframe is subject to change without prior notice.
4. If you need your qualification urgently, you can expedite the assessment of your Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) application by requesting an urgent evaluation. Please do so by emailing your Australian Special Skills and Services Support Officer directly. However, it's important to note that your RPL application cannot be assessed urgently until your Support Officer verifies that the supporting documentation/evidence you provided is sufficient and complete, and that you have paid the Service Fee in full.

Regulatory Reforms etc.

1. From time to time, due to regulatory reforms or alterations to course or licensing requirements, a partner RTO may need to make changes to the training products, qualifications, skill sets, units of competency, or accredited short courses/modules they offer, along with any relevant Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) documentation/evidence requirements. In such instances, clauses 1.26 and 1.27 of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 will be applicable. Both Australian Special Skills and Services and the partner RTO will take all necessary and reasonable steps to inform you of the changes, any applicable transition timeframes, and provide you with detailed instructions on the necessary actions to be taken.
2. If you do not adhere to the instructions provided by Australian Special Skills and Services and/or the partner RTO within the applicable transition timeframe, your enrollment in the course will be terminated, and you will not be eligible for a refund of the Service Fee paid.

Additional Costs

1. Upon successful completion of your nationally recognized qualification, your certificate will be issued to you in a soft copy, delivered via email to your nominated email address. Alternatively, you have the option to request a hard copy of your certificate, which will be sent to your nominated postal address:
   
   • You can opt to receive your certificate by Regular Post at no additional charge;
   • Alternatively, you may choose to have your certificate sent by Registered or Express Post, with an additional charge of $14.50.
2. If you are slated to attend a 'Skills Assessment' appointment with an Assessor and fail to show up without notifying your Australian Special Skills and Services Support Officer 48 hours before the scheduled appointment, a rescheduling fee of $500.00 will be applicable.

Complaints and Appeals

1. To contest a decision made by Australian Special Skills and Services and/or a partner RTO, you must present your appeal in writing to Australian Special Skills and Services by emailing complaints@australianspecialskillservices.com.au within 28 days of being notified of the original decision. We will make an effort to address your appeal within 30 days of receiving it via email. Please be aware that this timeframe is subject to change without prior notice.
2. If you have a complaint regarding our service or the service offered by a partner RTO, you must formally submit your complaint in writing to Australian Special Skills and Services by emailing complaints@australianspecialskillservices.com.au. We commit to addressing your complaint within 30 days of receiving it via email. However, please be aware that this timeframe is subject to change without notice.
3. If you have a compliance concern pertaining to Australian Special Skills and Services or a partner RTO, kindly bring it to our attention promptly by emailing compliance@australianspecialskillservices.com.au. We prioritize compliance matters and are dedicated to addressing all concerns in a timely manner, incorporating them into our continuous improvement processes.