This agreement comes into effect on the date MPI receives a completed application from the applicant. 

• Deposits and cancellations
• Postponement of start date
• Bank Fees
• Refund
• Application period
• Visa fees
• Interviews and internship offers
• Code of conduct at the host company
• Insurance
• Other
• Accommodation
• Preparation for the workplace course

I) Deposits and cancellations

1. An initial deposit of six hundred dollars (AU) $600, is required before MPI engages in the placement process.  MPI is unable to accept application without the above deposit
2. In addition to the deposit for the internship of $600, all applicants must also pay all Visa, Specialty Placement and Express Service Fees at the time of deposit.
3. All cancellations must be made in writing and the received date will be measured upon the date of receipt of the notification. 
4. In the event that the applicant requests another placement due to the reasons mentioned in Section IV) b.1. below. MPI will provide the applicant with one alternative.
5. Any changes in preference by the applicant with regard to the internship preference after submitting the application to MPI will constitute a new application and attracts full internship fees.
6. Upon confirmation of the internship placement, MPI will invoice the applicant for the remainder of the internship fee.
7. Full internship fees are payable after confirmation of the placement.
8. Applicants will not be allowed to begin their internship or take advatnages of any other services offered by MPI until all fees are received in full.

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II) Postponement of internship start date

1. In the event applicants postpone their internship start dates after the placement has been confirmed then a maximum of three (3) months is allowed at no extra cost providing the host company agrees to the postponement.  The fee for the postponement beyond 3 months will be $400.  In the event the host company is unable to accommodate the postponement, MPI will be unable to issue a refund.

2. Applicants may postpone their internship start date within 2 weeks of submitting the application at no extra cost providing the internship has not been confirmed. Postponements after 2 weeks from submitting the application will incur a $250 administration fee.

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III) Bank fees

1. Bank fees incurred in the payment of fees to MPI are the responsibility of the applicant.  To ensure that the full amount is transferred/paid to MPI, we suggest that you contact your local bank to determine the fees to be charged on your application and make provision for the payment of those fees in addition to the internship fees.
2. Where MPI does not receive the full amount due to bank fees, a new invoice will be sent to the applicant and all payments must be made.

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IV) Refund

1. Deposits
   1. Once a deposit has been received and an application for placement accepted by MPI, $350 of the monies paid will constitute a non-refundable component.
   2. The balance of the $600 deposit, i.e. $250, will be refunded if written notice of an intention to cancel the application is received by MPI at least 42 days prior to the internship start date confirmed by MPI but only if the placement confirmation document has not been sent by MPI.
2. Placement Fee
   1. A full refund of all fees (excluding visa fees and the $350 non-refundable component) will be made in the case of:
      1. Host company negligence. Host Company negligence can be limited in definition to the following:
         1. Inability of the company to continue operations
         2. Inability of the company to offer the agreed internship
         3. Breaches of relevant Occupational Health & Safety requirements rendering the internship environment dangerous and unsafe.
         4. Sexual harassment
         5. The main language spoken at the office is not English (unless already agreed with the applicant at the time of confirmation)
      2. Refusal by DIAC of a visa for reasons beyond the control of the applicant
      3. Inability of MPI to confirm the placement by the agreed due date and the applicants communicates in writing at this point an intention to withdraw the application.
3. Speciality Placement fee This fee will be refunded in full if the Speciality Placement specified by the intern and agreed to by MPI is unable to be offered and a more general placement is offered in its place. 
4. Express Fee
   1. This fee will be refunded in full if MPI cannot place the intern by the Express Due Date
5. Visa Fees
   1. These fees will be refunded only if an applicant chooses to withdraw their internship and visa application prior to the lodgement of the visa application
6. No refund is made in the following circumstances:        
   1. After confirmation of internship placement has been sent (except in the case of host company negligence). 
   2. If the application is cancelled within 42 days of the proposed start date.
   3. If the intern chooses to end their internship early for any reason except host company negligence.
   4. If the applicant refuses to attend an interview.
   5. If the applicant refuses to accept an internship placement on any grounds other than it does not match the industry category specified in the application and agreed by MPI.
7. Any payment approved by MPI to be refunded may take up to 21 days processing time.         

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V) Application periods

1. MPI requires the following notice periods, from payment of the deposit and acceptance of the application until the confirmation of the placement, as a minimum:
   1. 8 weeks for the professional internship program
   2. 8 weeks for the Hospitality work placement program 
   3. 8 weeks for the Hospitality internship program 
2. If MPI cannot find an internship placement within the periods outlined above, the applicant will be contacted to ask if they are happy for the placement search to continue. 
   1. Should the applicant wish to withdraw at this point, they will be entitled to a refund (less the $350 non-refundable deposit component).
   2. Where the applicant agrees to continue with the MPI placement process with a revised starting date, they must advise MPI in writing and will not be able to claim a refund for not meeting the original agreed due dates.
3. In addition to the placement process, there will be a visa application period, which may vary from application to application depending upon the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) processing times.
   1. The current DIAC estimate for processing a Special Program visa (subclass 416) is 28 days from lodgement.
4. An Express Service may be requested where the placement period can be reduced for a period of between 2 to 4 weeks from the originally agreed internship start dates.
   1.  Where an Express Service is requested, there is a fee for this service payable. This fee is $380 and must be paid upfront with the initial deposit.
   2. Where MPI can not place the intern within their Express Due Date, a refund of the Express Service Fee will be processed within the refund processing times mentioned below in the Refunds clause.
   3. An Express Service cannot be requested under the paid Hospitality Program or a Specialty Placement.
5. Where the applicant chooses a non-common industry or type of placement, an additional Speciality Placement fee of $500 will be incurred and placement will take longer than the minimum periods outlined above. This will be advised upon the application confirmation based on the uniqueness of the placement request and must be paid at the time of application. Where MPI deem a request to be too specific in nature, the applicant will be advised of this and asked to reconsider their internship request.

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VI) Visa fees

1. All applications for a valid visa are made on the information provided by the applicant at the time of submission. 
2. MPI can not be held responsible for any application which is refused due to information not disclosed at the time of application.
3. No refund will be issued for visa fees once the application has been submitted. 
4. If an applicant chooses to withdraw their internship and visa application prior to the lodgment of the visa application, only a partial refund of the visa fee paid will be refunded determined by the amount of work completed on the application.
5. Where there is a delay in receiving information from the applicant to lodge the visa application, MPI will not be held accountable for delays in a determination of a decision on the visa, nor will it be accountable if the dates on a visa approval are not in line with the interns agreed start date.
6. MPI will not be held responsible for any loss arising from the change of flights, additional accommodation costs or any other costs incurred due to delays in the visa decisions or delays with internship start dates that are beyond any reasonable control of MPI. 
7. Any extension or reapplication will attract a new fee.

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VII) Interviews and internship offers

1. Applicants must attend any interviews with companies as arranged by MPI.
2. MPI has the right to refuse arranging any further interviews for the applicants and excluding the applicant from the program if the applicant refuses to attend interviews.
3. Where there is evidence that an applicant decides not to perform adequately during the interview,MPI will refuse to work any further on the application unless the fee is paid in full.
4. Refusal by the applicant to accept an internship for reasons not specified on their application will not constitute reasonable grounds for rejecting an internship offer.  This will not constitute a refund for the applicant and in order for MPI to continue processing the application, payment must be made in full.
5. Applicants can not pre-select a company for their internship to be conducted within. 
6. MPI will match the applicant with an internship in their general requested field as indicated in the application document. 
7. Applicants are not allowed to  refuse an interview, reject a placement offer made by MPI or leave their placement after starting for any of the following reasons:
   1. Size of Company
   2. Number of Employees at the Company
   3. Location of the Company
   4. Commuting Distance to the company from accommodation.
   5. International Profile of the Company
   6. Change of Preferences after application
   7. Changes in internship hours or starting or finishing hours
   8. Personal issues / relationships with other staff members and the internship supervisor
   9. Level of supervision offered. 
   10. Level of responsibility and tasks allocated. 

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VIII) Code of conduct at the host company

1. No refund will be given or an alternative placement offered if the applicant leaves the host company within the initial two weeks (except in the case of host company negligence).  The initial period of two weeks is for settling in and learning about company processes and work ethics.
2. No alternative placement will be offered to applicants in the event of the applicant being asked to leave the company for the following reasons:
   1. Negligence by the applicant in terms of misconduct or disobeying company procedures and policies.
   2. Inability to perform training provided by the company due to inaccurate information provided by applicants on their initial application.
   3. Leaving the company without informing MPI at least two weeks prior and/or without being given approval to do so by MPI.
   4. Taking time off for holidays, personal reasons without prior agreement with the company
   5. Taking sick leave without providing your company with an adequate medical certificate if asked to do so by the company
   6. Changing internship hours without prior permission from the company
   7. Not abiding by company rules
   8. The applicants level of performance does not match their level of experience and/or qualifications as stated on their CV
   9. Demanding payments from the host company if the internship is unpaid
   10. Acting in a way that adversely affects the smooth running of operations for the company. 

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IX) Insurance

1. Any applicant who applies for a Special Program - 416 Visa or any visa allowing temporary entry for the purpose of their internship in Australia, must be covered by adequate health, travel and personal liability insurance for the duration of their stay in Australia.
2. Where the applicant elects to pay a daily fee for insurance cover arranged through MPI, the applicant is covered for all Public Liability issues in the workplace.  This insurance protects the intern from any situation arising from the negligence of the host company.
3. Where the applicant is unable to provide adequate proof of coverage for Health, Travel and Personal Liability Insurance, MPI will calculate the insurance premium due and add this fee to the final invoice for payment.
4. Where an application is received from a Permanent Resident of Australia, you will be required to prove that you have access to Medicare benefits and coverage.

5. Proof of cover must be provided to MPI prior to any lodgment of visa application or confirmation of Internship placement.

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X) Other

1. Applicants may choose to extend their internship placement with the host company.  Upon the extension being approved by the host company, an additional fee will be payable determined by the extension length and the total duration of the internship.
2. Where the applicant requires another visa to extend their internship, they must pay an additional fee for the processing of this visa.
3. MPI undertakes not to disclose any medical or other information about applicants to third parties that may hinder the applicant’s application.
4. Applicants must comply with confidential information that is distributed to them for a period of 12 months after the internship end date, or as specified in the individual confidentiality agreement signed between the applicant and the host company.
5. MPI is in no way responsible for any damages caused by the applicant during the internship program, regardless of the nature of the damages.  The applicant accepts full responsibility for their actions.

6. This agreement in no way constitutes and employer / employee relationship.  MPI is the program facilitator and is not seen as the employer, contracting company or any other mechanism that may constitute the employer / employee relationship with the applicant.

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XI) Accommodation

1. A minimum of 8 weeks worth of accommodation fees is required to be paid prior to moving into the housing.
2. MPI requires at least 4 weeks notification of an intern choosing to end their accommodation stay within a particular shared house or homestay.
3. Commuting times to the internship company of up to 1 ½ hours are deemed acceptable, whilst every possible endeavour will be made to reduce this travel time.
4. A Shared House can be any of the following:
   1. Sharing with one or more persons of any nationality or gender
   2. Sharing with a family
   3. Sharing with a couple
   4. Sharing with other travelers / interns
5. A shared room may include 2 beds or more dependant upon the accommodation provider
6. Changes to accommodation preferences after the receipt of the initial application may incur an additional booking fee.
7. Special accommodation requests must be identified prior to the application being received and a welcome email being sent to the applicant. 
8. MPI can not guarantee any special requests and will not offer a refund if this request can not be met.
9. Failure to notify MPI will incur additional fees.
10. No changes will be made within the initial 4 weeks of accommodation booking unless there is an act of negligence on the part of the landlord.  Such an act includes sexual harassment, discrimination, and other forms of harassment.
11. No refunds will be given in the event that applicants leave their accommodation prior to the 4 weeks notice period.
12. Applicants are liable for any damage to property or household articles caused by their own negligence or actions
13. Applicants are liable to pay for any damages caused by them to the accommodation provider directly.
14. MPI endeavours to inspect all accommodation providers houses before any first time booking.  Accommodation standards are deemed above average for budget housing.  MPI can not be held responsible for varying levels of expectations of applicants.
15.  
16. Some accommodation providers may require an additional fee for any of the following items:
    1. Cleaning
    2. Security Keys
    3. Bond
17. MPI will in no way be responsible for the payment of the above fees.  Each applicant will be informed of the additional fees required on each accommodation booking confirmation sent to the applicant.
18. The vast majority of houses in Australia are not centrally heated.  This is due to the generally warm climates of most Australian cities.  Heating is the responsibility of applicants should they choose to purchase additional heating on their own accord.
19. Accommodation is generally provided in self contained apartments or houses which mean adequate linen and blankets will be provided.  Any additional bedding required other than what is provided upon the applicants first day will remain the responsibility of the applicant.
20. Applicants must abide by house rules.  Any applicant who chooses to not follow house rules may be evicted.  MPI will not reimburse any additional costs incurred on the basis of the intern being evicted, regardless of reason for eviction.
21. No refund will be offered for any applicant without a valid reason.

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XII) Preparation for the Workplace Course

1. Where an application is received from an applicant from a non-English speaking country, the applicant must undertake as a compulsory part of their internship the Preparation for the Workplace Course.
2. Where the applicant is from an English speaking country, this course will not be compulsory.
3. MPI may waive this requirement for some applicants upon its own discretion at the time of application.

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