Homestay Payment Terms & Conditions
All disputes will be resolved based on the original English version of our Terms & Conditions.
Payment Policy
- Payments must be referenced by the Invoice Number provided in the invoice so that the payment can be identified without any delays.
- All fees must be paid in Australian Dollars ($AUD) only.
- Fees may include Goods and Services Tax (GST = 10%) where applicable.
- Payment of fees & charges must be received in full before any homestay is arranged.
- Payments by Credit Cards (only Visa and MasterCard are accepted) incur an extra “surcharge”.
- Payment by International Money Transfer (IMT) incurs extra Bank Charge fees.
- Students/guests must contact Study Vision after they arrive, to discuss their ongoing stay and future rental payments.
- If a student/guest goes on holidays or away from the homestay for less than 2 weeks, they will need to pay the full Rental for all the nights that they will be away. This needs to be paid before the student leaves.
- If a student/guest goes on holiday or away from the homestay for 2 weeks or more, they will need to pay a Holding Fee (50% of their normal Rental) for all the nights they will be away). The Holiday Payment, as well as the 4 weeks Rent after they return from holidays, needs to be paid before the student/guest leaves. This holiday holding rate is dependent upon the host agreeing to the rent reduction. The student/guest must give Study Vision at least 2 weeks notice of any intended holidays longer than 2 weeks, to allow time for the necessary adjustments to be made. If 2 weeks notice is not given or if the host does not agree to the rent reduction, the Holding Fee will not apply, and the student/guest will need to pay the full rental for this period. Also, there will be no adjustments for any rent periods that have already been paid.
- If a student/guest extends their holiday while they are away, they must notify Study Vision as soon as possible. The additional holiday rental will be deducted from the prepaid 4 weeks after holiday rental, and the difference will need to be paid as soon as possible. If this is not paid before the student/guest’s return from holidays, the student/guest’s next 4 week booking period at the homestay may be reduced.
- All Rental Invoices must be paid by the Due Date specified on the Invoice. If a student/guest does not pay any Rental Invoice by the due date, the host has the right to pack the student/guest’s belongings, and can rent the room to another student/guest. It is the student/guest’s responsibility to arrange for their belongings to be collected from the homestay within 5 days, or the belongings will be disposed of. Study Vision is not responsible for any belongings left at the homestay.
- If a student/guest decides to permanently move out of a homestay, at the end of any paid period, the student/guest must give Study Vision 2 weeks notice before the end of that paid period. If the student/guest does not give a full 2 weeks notice, they will need to pay additional Rental to cover the 2 week notice period (i.e. if the student/guest gives notice that they wish to move out 1 week before the end of their prepaid rental, they will need to pay another 1 week Rental, to make up the full 2 week Notice Period payment).
- If a student/guest that is moving out of their homestay requests Study Vision to arrange a new accommodation for them, Study Vision will issue them an invoice for the Relocation Fee and the first 4 weeks Rental at the new accommodation. This invoice must be paid within 5 business days, or the application will be cancelled. Once payment is received, Study Vision will inform the original host family that the student/guest will be moving out. The student/guest will then move to the new accommodation 2 weeks later.
- The student/guest must notify Study Vision by email to [email protected] at least 2 weeks before they plan to move out or go on holidays. The 2 week notice period will start from the next business day after Study Vision receives the email.
- The cost of homestay is calculated on a weekly basis rather than daily. If you plan to move out, please ensure to calculate the departure date accurately.
- All prices are subject to change at any time. Please check the current prices before submitting an application.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Study Vision understands that circumstances can change and students may need to cancel any booking at any time. However the following terms and conditions apply for refund requests:
- In the event that a student/guest has to cancel for events beyond their control, the student/guest, their parents or their agent are to immediately contact Study Vision to discuss the circumstances. Study Vision reserves the right to accept or reject a request for a refund. Valid reasons for accepting any refund include: Visa application rejection (copy of rejection letters from the Australian Immigration Office and your applied institution to be submitted); trip cancellation due to Force Majeure (war, natural disaster, death) , major illness with doctor’s certificate and confirmation from the student’s education provider that the student has withdrawn the enrolment.
- Any “Request for Refund” must only be submitted through our Refund Request Form. Please send an email to [email protected] to request a link to the Refund Request Form.
- No refunds will be made if a “Request for Refund” email is received more than twenty eight (28) days after the date the student/guest’s booking is cancelled.
- “Requests for Refunds” will be promptly attended to, and if approved, will get paid within 28 working days to the bank account, credit card or other online payment platform that the student/guest used to make their original payment, unless that payment method is not able to process the refund. If the original payment method is not able to process the refund, an alternative method will be used to process the refund. If the student/guest does not have an Australian bank account, and will not be coming to Australia, the refund can be made to an international bank account nominated by the student/guest, but additional charges will be deducted from the refundable amount. A receipt of payment will be emailed to the student/guest upon the student/guest’s request.
- Refunds shall be made in Australian dollars only, regardless of the currency used to pay for a service.
- All refunds made will have any applicable bank charges plus Administration Charges deducted before refunds are made.
- If Study Vision is unable to service an application due to circumstances outside of our control, Study Vision will cancel the application and refund all fees received, deducting only bank charges involved in the refund, and not deducting any Study Vision Administration Charges. Study Vision is not liable for any other penalties or compensations.
- If there are valid and clear reasons to doubt the nature of an application, or the authenticity of the applicant, or if the applicant did not make full payment of fees and rents due by a deadline, as requested to do so in our Offer letter or the invoice sent, Study Vision reserves the right to immediately cancel this application – even after payment (partial or full) has been received. This shall be at Study Vision’s own decision, and at any time, without any penalties or compensation on Study Vision. If this occurs, Study Vision shall willingly and immediately refund any net payments received. Study Vision shall effect this cancellation by simply writing an email to the applicant, or the applicant’s agent, advising of the cancellation and intent to immediately refund any payments made to date, after deducting any bank charges and Administration Charges involved in the refund.
Refunds related to Homestay Bookings
The Accommodation Placement Fee is not refundable if a booking is cancelled by the student/guest at any time after service fees are paid.
For students/guests aged over 18 years old:
- If a student cancels their booking after they make payment, but before Study Vision sends a homestay offer, all prepaid rental will be refunded, after deducting bank charges and Study Vision Administration Charges.
- If a student/guest does not accept our first homestay offer, Study Vision will offer a second homestay without an additional placement fee. If the student/guest does not accept the second offer and cancels their booking, all prepaid rental will be refunded, after deducting bank charges and Study Vision Administration Charges.
- If a student/guest cancels a Homestay booking after they have accepted the homestay offer and before scheduled arrival, two (2) weeks of the pre-paid rental (Homestay Rental Fees) will not be refunded. Any remaining prepaid rental will be refunded, after deducting bank charges and Study Vision Administration Charges.
- Homestay rent period commences from the start date as stated in the Booking application. If a student arrives at the Homestay to start a rent period at any later date, no refunds, change of start date or extensions of the rent end date, in-lieu of the lost days, will normally be given, unless a valid reason is approved by Study Vision and the Host family. Please make sure to inform Study Vision as early as possible if you wish to change your arrival date.
- There is no refund of rental (Homestay rental fees) within the first 4 weeks after moving into the Homestay, or if the student decides not to move in without informing Study Vision.
For students aged under 18 years old:
- If a student cancels more than 2 weeks before their course start date, or because their Visa Application is rejected, or they do not meet the entry requirements of their course, all prepaid rental will be refunded, after deducting bank charges and Study Vision Administration Charges. If the cancellation is due to visa or course rejection, the DHA or School/University rejection letter must be submitted to Study Vision.
- If a student cancels 1 to 2 weeks before their course start date, and they have not been rejected by DHA or their School/University, two (2) weeks of the pre-paid rental (Homestay rental Fees) will not be refunded. Any remaining prepaid Rental will be refunded, after deducting bank charges and Study Vision Administration Charges.
- If a student cancels less than 1 week before their course start date, and they have not been rejected by DHA or their School/University, no prepaid Rental will be refunded.
- Homestay rent period commences from the start date as stated in the Booking application. If a student arrives at the Homestay to start a rent period at any later date, no refunds, change of start date or extensions of the rent end date, in-lieu of the lost days, will normally be given, unless a valid reason is approved by Study Vision and the Host family. Please make sure to inform Study Vision as soon as possible if you wish to change your arrival date.
- There is no refund of rental (Homestay rental fees) within the first 4 weeks after moving into the Homestay, or if the student decides not to move in without informing Study Vision.
Refunds related to Special Offers & Discounts
The Cancellation and Refund Policies above may not apply to special offers or discounts offered by Study Vision. Please refer to the terms and conditions of the specific offer or discount for the specific refund policies.