Frequently Asked Questions s31

Frequently Asked Questions  Home-Based Students  Non-State Students

The average cost of educating students via distance education is significantly higher than through a local state school. The additional costs are associated with producing distance learning materials, delivering scheduled lessons by telephone, and providing lower teacher-to-student ratios than is necessary for face-to- face classrooms. Distance Education Enrolment fees are collected annually by the Department. Schools are required to complete a calculation spreadsheet sent out in November each year, providing information on the number of ‘by choice’ (home-based) and non-state school enrolments. In circumstances where a fee is not recovered at the time of the enrolment fee collection, schools are not required to record this as an enrolment (on the calculation spreadsheet). However, should an outstanding fee or part fee be recovered at a later stage, this is to be recorded on the next calculation spreadsheet for the fee to be collected.

The purpose of charging an enrolment fee is to: o encourage parents to carefully consider enrolment ‘by choice’ and the level of commitment required to ensure a successful education experience for their child through the distance mode o apply a cost-recovery measure for the additional teaching and teacher aide resources provided to ‘by choice’ learners o support consistent service provision that delivers all distance students the same premium service.

Home-Based Students

Which students pay the  Generally, the enrolment fee applies to all home-based students of distance enrolment fee? education. However, two exceptions may apply: 1. a student is granted an exemption, or 2. a student is granted a waiver.  A student may qualify for an exemption if the student has no choice but to use distance education according to one of the criteria outlined in section 53 of the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (Qld) (the Act): a.i. Living in a remote area (in accordance with the remote area definition section 49 of the Act). a.ii. Medical condition preventing attendance at mainstream school. a.iii. Travelling within Australia due to parent employment. a.iv. The student has parenting or carer responsibilities. a.v. Exclusion (where no alternative state school is accessible). a.vi. Indefinite suspension because of a charge for a criminal offence. a.vii. Students in correctional centres a.viii. Mature age students with a remaining allocation of state education who:  do not live within 16 kilometres of a mature age state school; or  have been refused enrolment at a mature age state school.

 A non-exempt student may be granted a full or partial waiver under section 54 of the Act. If a student is or has been undertaking distance education, they may apply for a waiver where they are unable to pay the fee due to financial hardship and would suffer significant educational disadvantage if they did not continue with their study, or a waiver may be appropriate for a current student because of exceptional circumstances.  Before a student can apply for a waiver, they must first pay the enrolment fee or commence payment in accordance with an agreed payment plan. The student will then be reimbursed if their waiver application is successful.  Exemptions and waiver decisions made by the principal are made on a case- by-case basis for the applicant. The decision of the principal on an individual’s exemption or waiver application does not automatically apply to members of the student’s family.

How much is the fee?  Section 69 of the Education (General Provisions) Regulation 2006 (Qld) (the Regulation) prescribes the annual enrolment fees for ‘by choice’ students.  The fee will increase each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.  Parents of ‘by choice’ home-based learners are also responsible for providing an appropriate telephone handset and for meeting the call costs associated with scheduled telephone lessons through their telecommunications provider.

What if some families of  If families are unable to pay the fee, the family can apply to the school of ‘by choice’ learners cannot distance education (SDE) principal to waive the fee (delegated by the chief pay the fee? executive of the Department of Education and Training), in part or in full under s54 of the Act. However, the first instalment of the fee must be paid in full before service is provided to the student or a waiver application is considered.  ‘By choice’ students may apply annually for a waiver of the fee if exceptional circumstances exist, or if the student is or has been enrolled in a program of distance education and would suffer a significant educational disadvantage were the student not able to continue in the program and payment of the fee would cause financial hardship to the person liable to pay it.  Applications for a whole or partial fee waiver will be assessed on a case-by- case basis.  Where a student is not entitled to an exemption or a waiver, parents/carers can negotiate a payment plan with the principal of the relevant SDE.  The decision of the principal on an individual’s exemption or waiver application does not automatically apply to members of the student’s family.

What evidence of financial A current Health Care Card or other documentation of financial hardship. hardship is required?

How do I apply for an  You will need to submit a completed Home-Based Student Status Nomination: exemption or a waiver, or Exemption/Waiver/Payment Plan form to the relevant SDE. request to negotiate a payment plan?  The SDE principal has the power to determine whether an exemption or waiver will be granted (delegated by the chief executive of the Department).  Where a student is not entitled to an exemption or a waiver, the SDE principal will negotiate a payment plan with parents/carers, if requested.

Can I receive a refund of A refund may be granted under certain circumstances if a student cancels their the enrolment fee if I enrolment up to the end of semester 1 of the school year to which the fee relates cancel my enrolment? in accordance with section 69A of the Regulation.

Under what circumstances Reasons considered for the provision of a refund may include but not be limited may a refund be granted? to a change in family circumstance that necessitates a move in residence to another location, for example, a transfer in the employment of a parent or carer, a death in the family or other trauma.

How is the refund Refunds of the fee will be provided during Semester 1 only, in accordance with calculated? s69A of the Regulation. No refund will be provided after Week 20 of the school year.  The refund is calculated from the day the application is made – not the date of enrolment or the date that the enrolment ceased - according to the Refund Look-Up Table.

 Successful applicants will receive the full amount or a deposit minus a $100 administration fee up to Day 24. After Week 5, the $100 administration fee and $25 per week will be deducted from the original payment up until Week 20 of the school year.

How do I apply for a  You will need to complete the Home-Based Student Refund Application form refund? and submit to the relevant SDE.  Applications must include the date the student ceased enrolment and the reasons.

 The SDE principal has the power to determine the student’s application (delegated by the chief executive of the Department).

Non-State School Students

Question Answer

Which students will have to  The fee will apply to all non-state school (NSS) students who enrol in a pay the enrolment fee? subject/s (i.e. component/s of a program) at a school of distance education (SDE) for an entire year or for Semester 2.

How much will the fee be?  Section 69 of the Education (General Provisions) Regulation 2006 outlines annual enrolments fees for non-state school students.  The fee will increase each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.  NSSs will also be required to pay a general resource levy of up to $100 and specific subject resource charges between $10 and $170 per annum depending on the subject choice (state schools also pay these resource levies when their students undertake individual subjects through an SDE).

Can a NSS student apply  Yes. However, the fee must be paid in full before service is provided to the for a waiver of the fee? student or a waiver application is considered.  The principal of the relevant SDE has the power (delegated by the chief executive of the Department of Education and Training) to waive, entirely or partly, payment of the fee if satisfied that the person is or has been undertaking distance education and would suffer a significant educational disadvantage if the person were not able to continue in the program, and payment of the fee would cause financial hardship. The principal may also waive the fee if satisfied that the waiver is appropriate and reasonable for a current student because of exceptional circumstances.  Applications for a whole or partial fee waiver will be assessed on a case-by- case basis.  Favourable consideration will be given to a NSS student who is: o under a child protection order; o unable to participate in a chosen subject at their school and the subject is also unavailable from other schools in the same area; o in Years 11 or 12 and who has transferred from another school to a non-state school that does not offer the same subject/s the student was previously undertaking.

How does a NSS student  The NSS principal must submit the completed Non-State School Student apply for a waiver? Waiver Application form to the relevant SDE on behalf of the student.  The SDE principal has the power to determine the student’s application (delegated by the chief executive of the Department).

Can a NSS student apply  Yes, but refunds of the fee will be provided during Semester 1 only, in for a refund of the fee? accordance with section 69A of the Regulation. No refund will be provided after Week 20 of the school year.  Refunds will be calculated from the date of the refund application – not the date of enrolment or the date that the enrolment ceased - according to the Refund Look-Up Table.

Uncontrolled copy. Refer to the Department of Education and Training Policy and Procedure Register at http://ppr.det.qld.gov.au to ensure you have the most current version of this document Page 4 of 5 Question Answer  Successful applicants will receive the full amount or a deposit minus a $100 administration fee up to Day 24. After Week 5, the $100 administration fee and $25 per week will be deducted from the original payment up until Week 20 of the school year.

How does a NSS student  The NSS principal must submit the completed Non-State School Student apply for a refund? Refund Application form, including the reasons for requesting the refund and when the student ceased enrolment, to the relevant SDE on behalf of the student.  The SDE principal has the power to determine the student’s application (delegated by the chief executive of the Department).