Student Policy

All Private Education Institutions (PEIs) are required to comply with the regulations under the Private Education Act 2009 in order to continue operations. With effect from 1 October 2024, the SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) directly exercise its functions and powers under
the Act and subsidiary legislations. 

Following are the requirements which Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education Pte Ltd (Newcastle Australia) has put in place.

View the Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education registration certificate.

Pre-Course Counselling Checklist

Key points to note

To help you confirm that you have gathered sufficient information on your choice of study, we have prepared a checklist of key points for you to take note of. Kindly ensure that you understand the details relating to the points listed below before submitting your application. The information can be found in our brochure/website. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact our Programme Counsellors who would be happy to assist you.

  1. Application fee and procedures.
  2. Course admission and English Language proficiency requirements and exemptions.
  3. Course modules, outlines, assessment and learning outcomes.
  4. Total fee payable for the entire course duration.
  5. Course duration and assessment schedules.
  6. Progression and award criteria.
  7. Type of certification awarded at the end of the course.
  8. Opportunities for further education or job prospects after graduation.
  9. Successful applicants are required to accept the offer and PEI-Student contract.
  10. IWC/Fee Protection Scheme adopted by Newcastle Australia and the payment methods/schedule.
  11. Newcastle Australia Medical Insurance.
  12. Refund, transfer and withdrawal policies.
  13. Venue of studies and a general description of the facilities and infrastructure.
  14. Types of student support services, e.g., Student Services and Student Life.

Schemes to Protect Our Fees

As part of our commitment to student fee protection, Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education ensures that course fees paid by students are protected by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) appointed service providers.

1. Fee Protection Scheme (FPS) Insurance (FPS-G)

With effect from 01 June 2025, Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education has adopted the mandatory FPS-G issued by Liberty Insurance Pte Ltd (Liberty). This scheme ensures that students’ paid fees are protected in the unlikely event that Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education is unable to continue operations due to a termination event (insolvency, and/or closure) or a judgement debt default event (fails to pay penalties or return course fees to the student arising from judgments made against it by the Singapore courts).

Coverage details under FPS-G:

  • All students will be fully covered under FPS-G at no additional cost.

Unless otherwise stated in the PEI – Student Contract, FPS-G insurance premiums are borne by Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education.

2. Industry-Wide Course Fee Protection (IWC) – Transition Period

During the transition to EduTrust certification, Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education adopts the Industry-Wide Course Fee Protection (IWC) Policy issued by Lonpac Insurance Bhd (Lonpac).

This scheme ensures that students’ paid fees (maximum 6 months) are protected in the unlikely event that Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education is unable to continue operations due to a termination event (An Insolvency Event or Regulatory Closure or Direction issued by SSG to refund course fees to affected students or when the SSG confirms that a currently operating private education institution (PEI) is unable to obtain registration or continue as a registered PEI.

For more details, you may refer to the following resources:

Application Process

Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education welcomes applications from students who meet our entry requirements and are committed to achieving academic success.

Eligibility
  • Meet the minimum academic qualifications for the chosen program
  • Meet the English Language Proficiency requirements
How to Apply
  • Complete the Application Form
  • Submit the required documents (e.g. academic transcripts, passport copy)
  • Pay the application fee (if applicable)
Assessment & Selection
  • Applications are assessed based on academic merit and program entry requirements
Admission Outcome
  • Applicants will be notified of the outcome via your Education Consultant within ten (10) working days
If Your Application is Successful:

You will receive an Offer Package that includes:

  • Letter of Offer
  • Credit Exemption Letter (if applicable)
  • Standard PEI-Student Contract
If Your Application is Unsuccessful:
  • You will be informed via your designated Education Consultant
  • You may request feedback on your application outcome and submit an appeal
Appeals

Applicants who wish to appeal on unsuccessful application may inform your designated Education Consultant within fourteen (14) working days of receiving the outcome.

For detailed entry requirements and program information, please contact our friendly Education Consultant at +65 6221 3306 or email us at singapore-enquiry@newcastle.edu.au.

PEI-Student Contract

All students who accept a place at Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education must sign a student contract which details the terms and conditions of their enrolment. The terms and conditions are specified by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG). A copy of the signed student contract will be given to the student.

Refund for Withdrawal During the Cooling-Off Period

Reference to Clause 3.8 of the standard PEI-Student Contract, notwithstanding anything herein contained, Students shall be entitled to, without any liability whatsoever to Newcastle Australia, forthwith terminate the Contract at any time within the Cooling-Off Period by way of a written notice to the Newcastle Australia.

Students have a period of ten (10) calendar days after the date that the Contract has been signed by both parties (student and school). The student will be refunded all course fees and miscellaneous fees paid within seven (7) working days of the receipt of the written notice of withdrawal within the cooling-off period.

Refund for Withdrawal Outside the Cooling-Off Period

Should the student withdraw from the program for any reasons stated other than Clauses 3.1 to 3.8 in the standard PEI-Student Contract, the Student may terminate the Contract at any time before the Program Completion Date by providing a written notice to Newcastle Australia.

Upon receipt of such notice, the PEI shall within seven (7) working days, refund to the Student such amount (if any) as determined in accordance with Schedule D of the Student Standard PEI Contract.

As a guide of reference, this is Schedule D of the standard PEI-Student Contract:

Before Trimester 2, 2024:

Percentage of the amount of the fees paid under Schedules B and CIf student’s fully completed request for withdrawal is received:
95% refundMore than 14 days before the course commencement date
75% refundWithin 14 days before the course commencement date OR within 7 days after the course commencement date
No refundMore than 7 days after the course commencement date

Trimester 2, 2024 onwards:

Percentage of the amount of Course Fees and Miscellaneous Fees paid under Schedules B and C of PEI-Student ContractIf student’s fully completed request for withdrawal is received:
95% refundMore than 14 working days before the course commencement date
75% refundOn or before, but not more than 14 working days before the course commencement date
50% refundAfter, but not more than 7 working days after the course commencement date
No refundMore than 7 days after the course commencement date
No Refund for Expulsion or Misconduct

Newcastle Australia reserves the right to discipline or expel any student who breaks the Institute’s rules or who, in the opinion of the management, engages in misconduct that is prejudicial to the interests of the Institute and its students. If a student is expelled, no refund will be given.

Examples of misconduct include:

  • Cheating or plagiarism
  • Academic or personal misconduct
  • Inappropriate behaviour (e.g. vaping, vandalism, mischief and/or theft, etc)

Administrative Matters

1. Attendance Policy

Full Time International Students (Student Pass Holder)

Once EduTrust certification is obtained and the institution is permitted to recruit international students, the attendance requirement as stated below will apply, in accordance with the regulations set by the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

Student Pass holders are required to be on campus for at least 3 hours per day and for 5 days a week. International students are required by Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to have an attendance percentage of 90%. Students without valid reason and have an attendance rating below 90% will be reported to ICA monthly.

If a student is unable to attend class(es) due to medical or compassion reasons, they will need to submit a medical certificate (MC) or supporting documents to singapore-studentcentral@newcastle.edu.au. Failure to furnish the original MC when requested will be deemed as absent. Please note that it is a serious criminal offence to submit fraudulent MCs, chargeable under the Penal Code Chapter 224. Students may be referred to the Police if they are caught doing so.

Only MCs from doctors & dentists registered with the Singapore Medical Council & Singapore Dental Council are accepted.

Attendance will be regularly monitored throughout each trimester. Failure to maintain the required attendance will be subjected to disciplinary action. Students will be liable for associated academic penalty and financial penalty.

Note: There are implications if a student fails to comply with ICA requirements. The student’s student pass is liable to be cancelled if a student:

  • Fails to attend classes for a continuous period of seven (7) days or more without any valid reason or
  • Has an attendance rate of less than 90% in any month, without any valid reason

Part-time Students

Although postgraduate programs do not have a minimum attendance requirement, it is recommended that students in each program meet face to face for at least:

  • The first class each trimester
  • Mid-way for the mid-trimester feedback and
  • For the final class

2. Student Code of Conduct

Newcastle Australia IHE students must adhere to both the University of Newcastle’s Student Code of Conduct and the Institute’s rules. Misconduct such as cheating, plagiarism, academic or personal misconduct, or inappropriate behaviour (e.g. Vaping, vandalism, theft) may result in disciplinary action. 

Breaches may be assessed under the University’s Student Conduct Rule and/or the Institute’s disciplinary procedures. Newcastle Australia IHE reserves the right to discipline or expel students whose actions are deemed prejudicial to its interests. No refund will be given in cases of expulsion. 

Meaning of misconduct – Refer to UON’s Student Conduct Rule – Part B 
Academic Misconduct – Refer to UON’s Student Conduct Rule – Part D and Newcastle Australia IHE’s Academic Misconduct Procedures 
Non-Academic Misconduct – Refer to UON’s Student Conduct Rule – Part F and Newcastle Australia IHE’s Non-Academic Misconduct Procedures 

3. Leave of Absence Policy

Students may apply for a one (1) year Leave of Absence after completion of ten (10) units or more study in the program. With effect from Trimester 3 2025, students are required to submit the request through Newcastle Australia’s Student Central by completing the Leave of Absence Form and submit it to singapore-studentcentral@newcastle.edu.au for processing.

Students may also be eligible for a second consecutive year of leave with the permission of the University College’s Program Advisor. To seek the approval, students are required to submit the request through Newcastle Australia’s Student Central by completing the Leave of Absence Form and submit it to singapore-studentcentral@newcastle.edu.au for processing.

Students who are absent without approved leave from a program at the University for more than one (1) calendar year or fail to re-enrol after an approved Leave of Absence will be withdrawn from the University’s system. Under such circumstances, the student is required to apply for re-admission to the program if he/she wishes to resume his/her studies. If successful, the applicant will be re-admitted to the same or an equivalent program under the program requirements operating at the time of readmission.

4. Withdrawal Policy

Definition
Term Description
Course Refers to an individual module of study
Program Refers to the enrolled course of study, consisting of multiple courses

Withdrawal from a course

  • Students who wish to withdraw from a specific course after enrolment must drop the course from MyInfo and inform the Student Central at singapore-studentcentral@newcastle.edu.au upon dropping the course.
  • The request must be submitted before the start of the Term.
  • Late submissions may incur additional fees as stated in the signed Student Contract.
  • Withdrawal from a course may affect the student’s academic progression and graduation timeline.
  • Any applicable fees for the withdrawn course will follow the refund policy.

Withdrawal from a Program

  • Students must consult with the Student Recruitment Staff (before commencement of the first trimester) or Student Central Staff (after Orientation) before submitting the request to understand the complications.
  • Program withdrawal requests will be processed within four (4) working weeks and the student will be notified in writing.
  • All outstanding fees must be settled before the withdrawal is approved.
  • International students holding a Student Pass will have their student pass cancellation processed upon approval of the withdrawal request.

5. Program Transfer Policy

Internal Transfer

  • The student must meet the entry requirements for the new program and a new Application Form must be submitted with the supporting documentation.
  • All outstanding fees for the current program must be settled before the transfer is processed.
  • Transfers are only allowed during approved periods, typically at the end of the course, trimester, or academic year.
  • A new Student Contract will be issued.

External Transfer

  • All outstanding fees for the current program must be fully settled before the transfer will be processed.
  • International students holding a Student Pass must have their pass cancelled before transferring to another institution. Newcastle Australia will process the cancellation upon approval of the transfer.

Financial Matters

Newcastle Australia has a variety of payment channels available to students:

  • Electronic Fund Transfer (PayNow)
  • Credit Card – Visa, Mastercard and AMEX
  • Bank draft/cheque
  • 0% Installment Plan (6 months/ 12 months) – applicable to Singapore credit card holder and for DBS Bank only
  • Cash: due to the value of program fees, this method is discouraged for safety and administrative reasons
  • Online payment through 2C2P (to be available soon)

NOTE:

  • All payments should be in Singapore Dollars.
  • Payment should only be made after the Student Contract has been signed and the Invoice has been received.
  • Student who made payment via PayNow are to send the screenshot of the payment details to your designated Education Consultant.

Commitment to correct price charging

Newcastle Australia is committed to ensuring that you are charged exactly in accordance to Institute’s policies and are neither under nor over charged. In order to ensure this is the case, we:

  • Have a list of course fees, published in our program information which gives details of the amounts which make up the fee subjected to the prevailing GST, and
  • Indicate the total course fee payable and the breakdown of the fees in our Student Contract

Every payment made to Newcastle Australia will be acknowledged with an official invoice and receipt containing the following details:

  • Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education name
  • Student’s name and Student number
  • The purpose of such payment (with a proper breakdown of the payment amount, where applicable)
  • The date of payment
  • The course and intake
  • The amount paid
  • The receipt number

Confidentiality Clause

Newcastle Australia is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of the student’s personal information in compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 and the Institute’s Data Protection Policy, subject to the obligation of Newcastle Australia to disclose to any Singapore government authority any information relating to the student in compliance with the law and/or to the organisation conferring/awarding the qualification.