Refund & Cancellation Policy

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Why We Have This Policy

Western Sydney Community School Transport (WSCST) is a community-funded, not-for-profit organisation providing private school transport services for students attending participating schools throughout New South Wales.

Unlike commercial transport providers, WSCST does not receive government funding for its operations. Our services are funded almost entirely through transport fees paid by participating families. These fees are used to meet the costs of operating the service, including bus contracts, route planning, administration and other operational expenses.

When a parent accepts a transport place, WSCST immediately commits resources to providing that service. Each confirmed enrolment influences:

• bus route planning;

• vehicle allocation;

• driver scheduling;

• bus capacity;

• operating costs; and

• the availability of places for other families.

Because routes are planned well in advance and buses operate most efficiently when close to capacity, cancellations after payment may leave vacant seats that cannot reasonably be filled. This increases costs for all participating families. For this reason, the following Refund & Cancellation Policy applies.

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Acknowledgement

By submitting an enrolment application, accepting a transport place or making any payment to WSCST, you acknowledge and agree that:

• WSCST operates as a community-based, not-for-profit organisation.

• The service is funded primarily through transport fees paid by participating families.

• Bus routes, timetables and stop locations are reviewed regularly to maintain safe, reliable and financially sustainable services.

• WSCST may amend routes, bus stop locations and timetables where reasonably necessary for operational, safety or commercial reasons.

• You have read and accepted these Terms & Conditions, including this Refund & Cancellation Policy, before making payment.

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Refund Policy

1. Change of Mind or Change of Circumstances

Except where required by the Australian Consumer Law, transport fees are non-refundable where a parent or student chooses not to use the service after payment has been made.

This includes (without limitation):

• change of mind;

• change of school;

• acceptance of another private or public school offer (see exception below for Selective School Offers from the reserve list where a full refund is provided for Term 1 Year 7 students);

• relocation;

• change in family circumstances;

• changes to extracurricular activities;

• choosing alternative transport arrangements; or

• any other circumstance outside WSCST's control.

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2. Route Changes

WSCST continually reviews routes to ensure services remain safe, efficient and financially sustainable.

Accordingly, parents acknowledge that during the school year WSCST may reasonably change:

• bus routes;

• bus stop locations;

• pickup or drop-off times;

• travel times; or

• vehicle allocation.

Such operational changes do not entitle a parent to a refund.

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3. Service Interruptions Beyond Our Control

Where services are interrupted due to circumstances outside WSCST's reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• public health orders;

• pandemics;

• natural disasters;

• government directions;

• school closures;

• extreme weather;

• bus breakdowns; or

• other force majeure events,

WSCST may, at its discretion, apply any unused transport fees as a credit towards future transport services.

Unless otherwise required by law, cash refunds will not be provided in these circumstances.

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4. Unused Travel

Transport fees are charged to reserve a seat for the relevant school term.

No refund, credit or partial reimbursement will be provided where a student does not travel on some or all scheduled days during a term, including due to illness, holidays, school activities or any other personal circumstances.

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5. Compassionate Grounds

WSCST recognises that exceptional circumstances may occasionally arise.

In genuinely compassionate circumstances, WSCST may, at its absolute discretion, approve a full or partial refund.

Where a refund is approved on compassionate grounds, WSCST may deduct an administration fee of up to 40% to recover planning and administrative costs already incurred.

Each request will be assessed individually, and previous decisions do not create a precedent for future applications.

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Year 7 Term 1 – Selective High School Exception

The following exception applies only to students commencing Year 7, Term 1 at Selective High School.

Where:

• payment is made on or before 30 November;

• the student was on the reserve list for another Selective High School at the time payment was made; and

• the student subsequently receives an offer from that reserve Selective High school,

WSCST will provide a full refund provided that all of the following conditions are met:

1. The parent notifies WSCST in their Enrolment form, of all reserve Selective High School choices.

2. The parent notifies WSCST by email no later than 15 December that an alternative Selective High School offer has been received.

3. Satisfactory documentary evidence of the alternative offer is provided by email no later than 15 December.

4. All correspondence is sent by email to info@wscst.org.au.

Because WSCST is administered with limited resources, notifications made by telephone, SMS, social media, messaging applications or other communication channels cannot be accepted for the purposes of this exception.

This exception:

• applies only to payments made on or before 30 November;

• applies only to offers received on or before 15 December;

• applies only to Year 7, Term 1 enrolments;

• does not apply to any subsequent school term or school year; and

• does not apply to any other school offers except offers from Selective Schools as disclosed in your Enrolment Form.

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Australian Consumer Law

Nothing in this Refund & Cancellation Policy excludes, restricts or modifies any rights or remedies available under the Australian Consumer Law or any other applicable legislation.

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