Albany TAFE overcharges 260k

A procedural error at the South Regional TAFE has meant some students and businesses were over-charged more than $260,000.

During the 2014 and 2015 academic year, 221 students and 119 businesses were overcharged a total of $263,983, documents tabled in State Parliament last week revealed. The highest over-charge to an individual was $482.29 while the highest charge to a business was $62,669.95.

South Regional TAFE, was known as the Great Southern Institute of Technology until April, when it was renamed as part of the State Government’s training sector reform.

Managing director Duncan Anderson said the overcharging was a result of a procedural error in the college’s Skills Development Centre.

Mr Anderson said the centre was the branch responsible for delivering high-risk and construction training.

Courses where overcharging occurred included fire training, work safely at heights, implement traffic management and load restraint.

At the time of print, 109 refunds had been made to affected students and businesses.

“All affected students and businesses have been contacted to receive refunds. However, not all have responded and attempts to make contact are continuing,” Mr Anderson said.

Mr Anderson said the overcharging error has not continued into this year.

“Staff received training to prevent further errors, which has ensured no further incidences of overcharging have occurred in the 2016 academic year,” he said.

$263,983: the amount overcharged to students and businesses by South Regional TAFE Albany