1. Course Categories & Fees

Scope Institute offers a diverse range of specialised training programmes tailored to different career outcomes and professional development needs. Our courses fall into distinct categories, each with a different purpose under the Australian education framework. It is the student's responsibility to understand these distinctions before enrolling. Nationally Recognised Training (indicated by an HLT code) provides formal qualifications and Statements of Attainment recognised across Australia. Our Echocardiography Programmes and Industry-Accredited Workshops are designed for comprehensive, non-accredited professional development (PD) to build specialist skills, often providing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours. The fees listed below are accurate as of the effective date of this document but are subject to change; please refer to the specific course page for the most current pricing.

2. Access & Equity

Scope Institute is fundamentally committed to the principles of access and equity. We strive to provide an inclusive learning environment where all students have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or ability. We ensure our practices comply with all relevant Commonwealth and State anti-discrimination legislation. To support this commitment, we may conduct a pre-enrolment Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN) assessment to identify any potential learning support needs. Based on this, we can implement reasonable adjustments to training and assessment methods. This may include providing materials in alternative formats, allowing extra time for assessments, or offering one-on-one support sessions. We encourage prospective students with any disability, cultural considerations, or specific learning needs to contact our Student Support team at admin@scopeinstitute.edu.au before enrolment to confidentially discuss a tailored support plan.

3. Fees, Deposits & Payments

Financial transparency is critical to a fair enrolment process. All course fees are clearly advertised on our website and will be confirmed in your Letter of Offer. The following conditions govern all financial transactions:

• Currency & GST: All prices are quoted in Australian Dollars (AUD) and are inclusive of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) where applicable, ensuring no hidden costs.
• Secure Processing: To protect your financial data, all online payments are processed through our secure, encrypted Stripe™ payment gateway. We also accept Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to our nominated bank account, detailed on your invoice. We do not retain credit card information on our servers.
• Deposits & Fee Payments (Important Compliance Note): To secure a place in a course, a deposit is required. In accordance with the Standards for RTOs, Scope Institute will not collect more than $1,500 in pre-paid fees from a student before their course has commenced. For courses with fees exceeding $1,500 (e.g., Echocardiography Programmes), an initial payment of up to $1,500 will secure your enrolment. The remaining balance of the total course fee will be invoiced in instalments via a structured payment plan after you have commenced your studies.
• Instalments: For longer programmes, it is the student's responsibility to ensure instalment payments are made by the due date on each invoice. Failure to maintain payments may result in suspension from training and access to resources until the account is settled. Final payment for any course is due two weeks before the scheduled completion date unless a specific payment plan has been formally approved in writing by our administration.
• Fee Protection: Scope Institute protects student investment. In accordance with the Standards for RTOs, all pre-paid fees exceeding the $1,500 threshold are protected by an unconditional financial guarantee with our nominated bank. This ensures that in the unlikely event we are unable to continue training, your fees are secure.

3.1 Additional Fees & Charges

To ensure fairness to all students and cover the administrative and resource costs associated with changes, certain additional fees may apply. These fees are levied to manage trainer scheduling, resource allocation, and third-party placement coordination. Please review the table below for a summary of potential charges.

4. Cooling-Off, Cancellation & Refund Policy

We understand that circumstances can change. Our refund policy is designed to be fair while accounting for the costs incurred in administration and resource allocation once an enrolment is confirmed. All requests for cancellation, refund, or transfer must be made formally in writing via email to admin@scopeinstitute.edu.au. The table below outlines our standard policy. We may, at our sole discretion, consider a partial or full refund on compassionate grounds (e.g., severe illness, bereavement) with supporting documentary evidence, even if it falls outside the standard timeframes. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

In the unlikely event that Scope Institute is required to cancel or postpone a course, you will be notified immediately and offered the choice of a free transfer to the next available date or a full and complete refund of all fees paid.

5. Course Participation Requirements

To ensure a safe, effective, and professional learning environment for all, students must adhere to the following participation requirements. Failure to do so may result in being unable to complete the course, with applicable fees still payable.

• Prerequisites: It is the student's responsibility to verify and meet all published prerequisites before enrolling. This includes requirements such as AHPRA registration for specific programs or ASAR student registration for Part 3 of the Echocardiography Program. Evidence must be provided upon request.
• Punctuality & Attendance: Punctual attendance at all scheduled practical sessions is mandatory. Arriving more than 30 minutes late may be deemed a non-attendance, and you may be refused entry to avoid disrupting the session for other students. Re-booking will be subject to the fees outlined above.
• Vocational Placements: For courses with a mandatory work placement component (e.g., HLT37215), Scope Institute will organise this on your behalf. While on placement, you are an ambassador for Scope Institute and must adhere strictly to the host site's policies, procedures, code of conduct, and dress code. A satisfactory police check and any other required clearances must be provided before placement can commence.

6. Assessment & Certification

Our assessment approach is designed to be fair, flexible, and robust, ensuring you are genuinely competent in the required skills and knowledge. Assessments are competency-based, meaning you are assessed on your ability to perform tasks to the required industry standard, rather than being graded against others. You will have two opportunities to resubmit an assessment task free of charge after receiving feedback. Further submissions will incur a fee of $50 each. The following conditions apply to certification:

• Accredited Courses (HLT): Upon being deemed competent in all required units and settling all outstanding fees, you will be issued with the relevant Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) certification (e.g., Certificate III or a Statement of Attainment) within 30 calendar days.
• Non-accredited Programs: For our Echocardiography Programmes and Industry Workshops, a Certificate of Completion or Attendance will be issued electronically, typically within 48 hours of course completion. This is ideal for demonstrating Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Unique Student Identifier (USI): It is a mandatory government requirement that all students undertaking nationally recognised training have a USI. We are legally unable to issue AQF certification without a verified USI. You can create or find your USI at www.usi.gov.au.

7. RPL & Credit Transfer (Accredited Courses Only)

Scope Institute recognises that learning can occur outside of formal study. We offer Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer for our nationally accredited HLT-coded courses. Credit Transfer for an identical unit of competency completed at another RTO is free of charge and will be granted upon provision of a verified Statement of Attainment. RPL is a detailed assessment process where you provide evidence of your existing skills and knowledge against the unit requirements. The fee for an RPL assessment is $250 per unit of competency, capped at a maximum of $1,500 for a full qualification. An application for RPL or Credit Transfer should be made within 30 days of enrolment to allow sufficient time for processing before your studies commence. Please see our full RPL & Credit Transfer Policy for detailed procedures.

8. Privacy Policy (Summary)

We are committed to protecting your privacy in compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles. This summary outlines our approach, but for full details, please refer to our comprehensive Privacy Policy page.

1. Collection: We lawfully collect personal data essential for our operations, including your name, contact details, date of birth, educational background, payment information, and where required for placement, health and clearance information. For accredited courses, we also collect data required by the National VET Data Policy, including your USI.
2. Purpose: Your information is used for the primary purposes of processing your enrolment, delivering training and assessment, coordinating work placements, issuing certification, and meeting our regulatory compliance obligations. With your explicit consent, we may also use your contact details for marketing purposes, from which you can opt-out at any time.
3. Disclosure: For students in nationally accredited (HLT) courses, your data is reported to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) and may be shared with ASQA and other government regulators. We will never sell your personal data to third parties.
4. Storage & Security: All digital data is stored on secure, encrypted Australian-based servers with strict access controls. Any physical documents are held in locked cabinets within our secure premises. Data is retained and disposed of in accordance with our legal obligations.
5. Access & Correction: You have the right to request access to and correction of your personal information. All such requests should be directed in writing to the Privacy Officer at admin@scopeinstitute.edu.au.

9. Complaints & Appeals

We are committed to resolving issues in a fair and timely manner. Our process ensures all concerns are heard. The first step is always informal resolution, where you are encouraged to discuss the issue directly with your trainer or an administrative staff member. If this does not resolve the matter, you may begin a formal internal review by submitting a written complaint. For a detailed explanation of the procedure, timelines, and your right to external review, please see our full Complaints & Appeals Policy.

10. Image & Media Consent

From time to time, we may take photographs or record videos during training sessions for use in promotional and marketing materials, including on our website, social media, and in print. Your participation implies consent. However, we respect your privacy. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please notify your trainer and the administration team in writing before the course commences. You may withdraw your consent at any time for future use, and we will make every reasonable effort to remove your image from materials where practicable.

11. Academic Integrity, Misconduct & Revocation

Academic integrity is paramount. Scope Institute reserves the right to revoke any qualification or statement issued if it is found to have been obtained through fraudulent means, plagiarism, or significant misconduct. Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, cheating, unsafe practices during practical sessions, harassment of staff or students, or failure to comply with host-site policies during placement. We also reserve the right to revoke certification if all course fees remain unpaid after reasonable attempts to secure payment have been made. For detailed definitions and procedures, please refer to our Academic Integrity and Misconduct Policy.

12. Continuous Improvement & Feedback

As a quality-focused RTO, we are dedicated to the continuous improvement of our training and services. Your feedback is a vital part of this process. At the conclusion of your course, you will be invited to complete a feedback survey. This data is systematically collected, analysed, and used to inform our internal quality improvement plan, helping us enhance course content, training delivery, and student support services. We value your honest and constructive input.

13. Acceptance

By submitting an enrolment application, making a fee payment, or attending any part of a training course delivered by Scope Institute, you acknowledge that you have been given sufficient opportunity to read and understand these Terms & Conditions and all associated policies referenced herein, and you agree to be bound by them for the duration of your engagement with us.