Requesting a refund as an international student
International students must apply to Macquarie International for refunds. Find out how to apply for a refund below.
Refunds will only be processed for international students who are:
- in the last semester of their study
- withdrawing completely from their course
- given special consideration
If you are an international student who has a credit in your student account, but you are not completing your study in the current study period (a continuing student), you will not be eligible for a refund.
The credit will remain in your student account and will be allocated towards tuition fees for future semesters.
This includes credits from:
- overpayment of fees in any study period
- withdrawal from one or more units after a payment has already been made
For more details about the International Fee Refund Policy, read below.
Apply for a refund
Ensure you review the International fee refund policy carefully and refer to the definition provided.
Important dates
You may need information about your commencement date or census date.
How to apply
- If you have not commenced your study at Macquarie University, complete the International withdrawal and release request form [PDF 209KB) and return the form with required relevant documents to your International Admissions Officer.
- If you are a current Macquarie University student, submit your withdrawal and release request first via the Service Connect Portal or complete the International request for fee refund form [PDF 196KB] if your withdrawal has been finalised.
- Students who organised their Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) through Macquarie University and have not arrived in Australia can organise the refund by lodging the International withdrawal and release request form [PDF 209KB]. Once a student has arrived onshore in Australia, they should contact the OSHC provider directly for a refund.
Refund of fees
Refund of fees will depend on the date that Macquarie International receives your withdrawal and release request form.
Refund for courses other than English Language Program (ELP)
Where a commencing student withdraws from a course prior to or during their commencing study period:
- Prior to commencement date: 20 per cent of Commencement Fee.
- After arrival in Australia from offshore but prior to the commencement date: 20 per cent of Commencement Fee.
- On or after commencement date but on or before census date: 50 per cent of Commencement Fee.
- After the census date of the commencing study period: No refund.
Where a continuing student withdraws from a course prior to or during their commencing study period:
- Before the first day of the relevant study period: Full refund of Tuition Fees Paid for the Study Period.
- On or after the first day of study period but on or before census date of study period: 20 per cent of Tuition Fees for the Study Period.
- After census date of the relevant study period: No refund.
Refund for English Language Program (ELP)
Where an ELP student withdraws from a course prior to or during their study at ELP and requests a refund of the English Language Commencement fee:
- Prior to commencement date: 20 per cent of English Language Commencement Fee.
- On or after commencement date and during the first Study Block of the English Language Commencing Study Period: 50 per cent of English Language commencement fee.
- After the first Study Block of the English Language Commencing Study Period: No refund.
Where an ELP student withdraws from a course during their study at ELP and requests a refund of English Language Tuition Fees paid for English Language Subsequent study periods.
- Prior to the first day of the Subsequent Study Period: Full refund of the English Language Tuition Fee for the Subsequent Study Period.
- On or after the first day of the Subsequent Study Period: No refund.
Refund of Study Abroad fee
If you withdraw from a Study Abroad program, you must contact your Study Abroad Coordinator prior to withdrawing or applying for a refund.
Payment of refunds
Payment of refunds will usually be made within four weeks of receiving a correct and complete international request for a fee refund form and required documentation.
If payment was made using a card, the refund will be issued back to the card. If the university is unable to refund to the card for any reason, the refund will then be processed to the nominated bank account.
Payment will be made by telegraphic transfer or electronic funds transfer (EFT) and will be made in Australian Dollars (AUD) or its foreign exchange equivalent.
Any delays caused by incomplete forms or by delays from financial institutions may extend this process to eight weeks.
International students granted Australian permanent residency
If you are granted Australian permanent residency, you need to inform Macquarie University of this change. All fee adjustments and calculations will be made from the date you notify Macquarie University (not the date that permanent residency is granted).
For more information, visit our changes to fees page.
Withdrawing from units
Student Admin services provide up-to-date information on how to withdraw from units of study.
Appeals and further information
If you're not satisfied with the decision made on a refund of fees, you can submit a written appeal to Macquarie International.
You should include all previous correspondence with Macquarie International. The appeal will be considered by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) or their nominee, and you'll be informed of the result of the appeal within 14 days of the receipt of the appeal.
All appeals should be sent to:
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)
Macquarie International
Level 1, 10 Macquarie Walk
Macquarie University
NSW 2109 Australia