Many Australian university students are thousands of dollars out of pocket as colleges they were meant to be living at this year refuse to refund their costs.
An Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission spokesperson told the ABC registered charities were expected to operate according to their charitable values.
"Obviously, no-one could know that COVID was going to kick in at the start of the year," Mr Bowles said. Some students have paid to live at University College in Melbourne, but have been unable to due to the pandemic. Under Australian Consumer Law and the Fair Trading Act, a contract that is impossible to carry out for reasons beyond all parties' control becomes a "frustrated contract".
"If students aren't in a situation where they can actually stay there and be using services, why should they be paying for them?" he asked. "Students should carefully read the terms and conditions of the accommodation provider, so they know their options if they have to change or cancel their arrangements."A dormitory room at the Clayton Urban Community student accommodation hall.
"Under normal circumstances, students would be liable for the room rental until the end of the residential contract, or until the room was leased to another student," the statement said.
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