Before paying, readers should ask for the fees they will pay and the agent’s refund policy to be stated in a written agreement. Study Australia identifies both as details that the agreement should specify.
What to check before payment
| Item | What the written agreement should specify |
|---|---|
| Fees | “The fees you will pay” |
| Refunds | “Their refund policy” |
The cited guidance confirms that fees should be documented, but it does not provide an itemised list of charges or a standard amount. Any unclear fee should therefore be identified and clarified in writing rather than assumed to be included.
The refund policy should also be reviewed in its written form. Its inclusion does not by itself confirm that a particular payment is refundable; that conclusion depends on the actual policy and the individual agreement.
What readers must still confirm
Before payment, readers still need to verify:
- the exact fees that apply;
- whether the written agreement identifies those fees; and
- whether the agreement contains a clear refund policy.
If either the fee wording or the refund policy is missing, the missing detail should be added to the agreement or clarified in writing before payment. The general guidance does not establish a standard fee, a universal refund policy, or a guaranteed refund outcome.