NSW Fair Trading Minister, Matthew Mason-Cox launched a new education campaign today, with the goal of protecting consumers from unscrupulous training providers and marketers.
Minister Mason-Cox stated that almost 600 consumers filed complaints to NSW Fair Trading of being tricked into taking out expensive student loans or experiencing issues with refunds, cancellations and cooling off periods, in the last financial year.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on two complaints from consumers who were told that they would have to pay hundreds of dollars to apply for extension times to complete their courses.
Minister Mason-Cox also stated that consumers should find a course that best suits their needs and emphasised the need to check that the training provider is registered with the National Register on Vocational Education and Training. He also emphasised that consumers carefully read the fine print on cancellation fees, cooling-off periods, cancellations and refunds and to not be tempted into signing up on the spot if they are offered incentives.
Minister Mason-Cox stated that businesses who break Australian Consumer Law could face severe penalties. Corporations that are found to have broken these laws can face penalties of up to $1.1 millions dollars and individuals could face penalties of up to $220,000.
Minister Mason-Cox also emphasised that the majority of training providers already do the right thing and that this campaign is to remind consumers of what to look out for.
More information on NSW Fair Trading’s education campaign can be found here.
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