Alliance Française de Melbourne

2026 Terms & Conditions: In-Person and E-Tuition Collective Courses

Alliance Française de Melbourne (AFM) is the premier French language and cultural centre in Melbourne, boasting 135 years of experience in teaching French. AFM offers a range of French courses, services, and cultural events for all levels, ages, and purposes at its French Hub in Melbourne CBD, other venues in Melbourne, and online.

The Student accepts these Terms and Conditions (Terms). These Terms will remain applicable until AFM notifies the Student of their amendment.

1 – Definitions and Interpretation

1.1 Definitions

Advanced Courses means Courses available only to students who have completed all AFM Independent levels or who have received approval from an AFM Tutor following an Oral Assessment.

AFM means Alliance Française de Melbourne, ABN 91 005 140 385, of Level 4, 140 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000.

Agreement means the Enrolment Form and these Terms and Conditions.

Business Day means a day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in Melbourne, Victoria.

Course means a French course operated by AFM.

Course Fees means the fees payable for the Course (but do not include amounts payable for textbooks).

Course Materials means any materials provided to a Student by AFM for the purposes of a Course (not including textbooks).

COVID-19 means the novel coronavirus declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation on 11 March 2020.

E-Tuition means group classes and/or one-on-one lessons provided by AFM online.

Enrolment Form means the form by which the Student enrols in a Course, which may be either in paper form or online, or verbally by phone.

Online Placement Test means the online French language assessment that students must complete in order to enrol in one of our courses.

Oral Assessment means the French speaking assessment that students must complete in order to enrol in one of our courses

Session consists generally of 9 weeks of French classes for adults. We offer 5 sessions per year.

Term-Time generally means Victorian school term 2 AFM Term & Conditions 2026 – Version 1.0 – 21/11/2025

Student means a Student of a Course. The student shall be defined as the person enrolled in an AFM course /event and /or the guardian of a minor enrolled in a course /event.

Student Portal means the online portal through which each French Tutor communicates with their students and, at a minimum, informs them of the content covered in each class as well as the homework for the following lesson.

1.2 Interpretation

In these Terms, unless the context requires otherwise:
a. words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa;
b. headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation of this document;
c. a reference to a clause, paragraph, schedule or annexure is a reference to a clause, paragraph or schedule of or annexure to this document;
d. a reference to "$" is to Australian dollars;
e. an expression importing a natural person includes a body corporate, partnership, joint venture or association;
f. a reference to a statute or regulation includes all amendments, consolidations or replacements thereof; g. a reference to a party to a document includes that party's successors and permitted assigns;
h. no rule of construction applies to the disadvantage of a party because that party was responsible for the preparation of this document;
i. a covenant, agreement, representation or warranty on the part of or in favour of two or more persons binds them or is for the benefit of jointly and severally;
j. if an event must occur on a stipulated day which is not a Business Day, then the stipulated day will be taken to be the next Business Day; and
k. a reference to a body, whether statutory or not: which ceases to exist; or whose powers or functions are transferred to another body, is a reference to the body which replaces it or which substantially succeeds to its powers or functions.

2 – General requirements

2.1 All Students are subject to these Terms. The student’s enrolment comprises the entire agreement between AFM and the Student, and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous understandings, agreements, negotiations, representations and warranties, and communications, both written and oral.

2.2 The Student in language courses for adults must be at least 18 years of age.

2.3 By agreeing to be bound by these Terms, the Student agrees that a Course may be provided, at the sole discretion of AFM:
a. in person, at either the French Hub, Melbourne CBD (Bourke Street) or South Yarra The Commons (or any further or other branch operated by AFM from time to time);
b. by e-Tuition; or
c. by a mixture of e-Tuition and in-person learning.

3 – Enrolment

3.1 A Student will enrol in a Course by completing an Enrolment Form and agreeing to be bound by these Terms.

3.2 Upon a Student enrolling in a Course, AFM will issue them with a confirmation document specifying the details and duration of the relevant Course, the necessary information in order for the Student to have access to their Student Portal, and therefore their AFM class access.

3.3 It is the responsibility of the Student to click through to the Student Portal and to explore the dashboard and a tax invoice for the applicable Course Fees.

4 – Enrolment Discount Offers

4.1 AFM awards special discounts to its students, notably a 5% concession discount on course fees when presenting a valid tertiary student, concession, or healthcare card. These enrolment discounts apply for all Collective Tuition for adults (Comprehensive, Comprehensive Express and Advanced) except for Immersion Days and school programs organised with primary or secondary schools.

4.2 When and if a discount is offered, a Student must enrol in a Course before the stated deadline in order to receive the discount. Discounts cannot be claimed retrospectively. Discounts may not be used after their specified expiry date.

4.3 No discount offer may be used in conjunction with any other offer (Loyalty Card, Student, Senior, Early Bird, Siblings).

4.4 The AFM gift voucher may be applied to any product sold at the AFM (Tuition, E-Tuition, workshops, merchandise, events organised at the AFM). It is not refundable nor exchangeable, nor is it transferable or redeemable for cash. The voucher does not guarantee admission into Tuition or E-Tuition. Admission is subject to the availability of Tuition or E-Tuition and requires the gift recipient to contact the AFM by telephone on (03) 9525 3463 or via email, to enrol in a Course. The voucher is for single use only and must be submitted to the AFM when redeemed.

4.5 The AFM gift voucher is valid only for Tuition or E-Tuition under these T&Cs or one-on-one/Private Tuition either at the AFM’s physical branches or online (E-Tuition). The voucher is valid for three years from the issue date. If enrolment is made for Tuition or E-Tuition, which is of a lesser value than the face value of the gift voucher, the difference shall not be reimbursed to the recipient of the voucher but shall be kept in credit in the Student’s account.

5– Courses

5.1 Any new Student who is not enrolling in a Beginner 1 Course (who is not a complete beginner with no previous experience learning French) must complete an Oral Assessment or Online Placement Test prior to enrolling in a Course. The results of the Online Placement Test will be used to identify the Student's level and place them in the appropriate course. The Student will be notified of their level by email or phone. Oral Assessments for highschool students and children shall take place via Zoom.

Former AFM Students who have not studied French for six months or more must also complete and Oral Assessment or Online Placement Test prior to enrolling in a new Course.

Any Student who wishes to enrol in one of our Advanced Courses must book an Oral Assessment so that AFM may assess their proficiency in French.

Oral Assessments are at the own discretion of AFM. In the case of any doubt regarding their course level or abilities, any Student may be asked to complete one.

5.2 The Online Placement Test and /or Oral Assessment will help AFM to allocate the Student to the Course that best corresponds to the Student’s language level and learning needs.

5.3 The Student does not have the right to choose a particular Tutor. The Student is reminded that the assignment of tutors is determined by the AFM, and this decision is final. Exceptions are only made in the case of a replacement or an unforeseen situation.

5.4 Any change of Course requires the approval of the Director of Studies. Transfers to another Class will only be considered during the first 2 weeks of each session, following discussions with the Director of Studies and the tutor. 4 AFM Term & Conditions 2026 – Version 1.0 – 21/11/2025

5.5 Each In-person Course will have a maximum of 14 students. Each E-tuition will have a maximum of 12 Students.

5.6 AFM reserves the right at its entire discretion to cancel or postpone a Course by written notice to the Student. In the event of a cancellation, AFM will offer the Student the choice of either: a. attending another Course suitable to the Student, b. receiving a credit to be used within 12 months of the date of issue or c. a refund.

5.7 AFM reserves the right to change Tutors during a Course. Every effort will be made to maintain high standards of teaching and a smooth transition from one session of Tuition to another, or for the replacement of a Tutor during a session.

5.8 Tutors are not required to provide assistance to Students outside of the Courses.

5.9 If the Student chooses to enrol in a Course above or below their recommended level, the class content will not be altered to suit their individual needs.

5.10 Courses are not held on Victorian public holidays and will not be rescheduled.

5a. – My E-Learning

My E-Learning is an e-learning platform designed to help users learn French independently at their own pace. By providing a comprehensive suite of study materials, exercises, and assessed tasks from A1 to C1 levels, My ELearning offers a structured, self-paced learning experience.

In addition to these general Terms & Conditions, the following additional Terms & Conditions shall apply to a Student enrolling in My E-Learning:

5a.1 Unless the Student is a complete beginner with no prior knowledge of French, they will be required to take an Oral Assessment to determine their level in accordance with the My E-Learning program.

5a.2 The Student will receive access to the My E-Learning platform within 24 to 72 hours of successful payment of the Course Fee. The Student will have 24-hour access to the platform for the duration of the Course.

5a.3 The My E-Learning Course is considered started when access to the platform is granted by the AFM administrator. Login details are issued automatically and sent by email directly from the platform to the email address provided by the Student at the time of enrolment.

5a.4 The Student will have 12 or 18 weeks of access to the platform (depending on their level). Once access is granted, enrolments cannot be paused or deferred. Where applicable, tutor meetings are arranged at the start of the course. The Student must give 48 hours’ notice to re-schedule a tutor meeting. Meetings will be re-scheduled at the discretion of AFM on a case by case basis.

5a.5 No extensions will be granted if the student fails to complete the required units within the specified course dates.

6 – Terms of Payment (Course Fees)

6.1 The Course Fee is required to be paid in full at the time of enrolment in order to reserve a place in an AFM course. All transactions are in Australian Dollars. All prices displayed on the AFM website are inclusive of GST. The Course Fee does not include textbooks. Textbooks must be purchased separately.

6.2 Enrolment can be made online, by phone, or in person. No cash payment will be accepted. 5 AFM Term & Conditions 2026 – Version 1.0 – 21/11/2025

6.3 The Student is required to enrol for the full session of Tuition. Course fees apply only to the Student concerned, and are not transferrable at any time, to any other party.

6.4 Course Fees will not be refundable even if the Student does not complete the Course.

6.5 If the Student is under 18 years of age, the parent/guardian is responsible for the payment of the Course Fee.

6.6 Late enrolments Generally, a Student will not be permitted to enrol in a Course that has already commenced. In the event that AFM does decide to allow a Student to enrol in a Course that has already commenced, the Student will receive the following discount on their Course Fees:

Week of Enrolment Discount
Week 1: No discount
Week 2: No discount
Week 3 or later: The Student may be granted a discount at the sole discretion of AFM

7 – Refunds

7.1 The Student will only be entitled to a refund of Course Fees if they cancel their enrolment 5 Business Days or more before the Course commencement date.

7.2 Where the Student decides to cancel their course more than five Business Days before the Course commencement date, AFM will charge an administration fee of $80 in relation to any cancellation, which (where applicable) will be deductible from any refund payable.

7.3 Any refund is at the sole discretion of AFM.

7.4 The Student may request that any refund be retained by AFM as a credit towards a future Course, in which case the credit must be used within 12 months. If the credit is not used by its expiry date, it will be voided.

7.5 Partial refunds, exchanges, postponements or transfers of Course Fees to another party are not allowed.

7.6 Course Fees cannot be refunded once a course has started. No full or partial refunds shall be offered to a Student who misses one or more classes. The AFM cannot accept any responsibility for unforeseen changes in students’ circumstances that may prevent attendance.

7a - Exceptional Circumstances

1. AFM is committed to the health and safety of all Students, as well as to finding solutions to continue uninterrupted French classes. Therefore, AFM reserves the right to move In-Person Collective Classes and Private Tuition to online classes (“E-Tuition”) as required due to circumstances beyond the control of AFM. Where In-Person classes are moved to E-Tuition: unless directed otherwise by AFM, the class, the level of the class and the tutor will remain the same, but the Tuition will be provided online.

2. No credits or refunds will be offered, should the AFM make the decision to move In-Person classes to E-Tuition. If classes cannot be transferred to E-Tuition (in the case of children’s classes, for example), a credit valid for 12 months will be offered.

3. Where In-Person classes are delivered online due to directions from the relevant authorities, or other circumstances beyond the control of AFM, it is understood by the Student that online delivery is a temporary measure until such directions from the relevant authorities or the relevant circumstances change. Where Students wish to expressly remain in online classes for the duration of their studies, they should enrol in classes that are categorised as permanently online.

4. By registering for In-Person Courses, the Student agrees that they have read this notification, and accepts the digital alternative in the event that courses must be offered online.

8 – Confidentiality /Privacy

8.1 The Student’s personal information (as that term is defined in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)) will only be used by AFM to provide the Student with the learning services contemplated by the Student enrolment under these Terms and Conditions. The AFM’s Privacy Statement is available on its website.

8.2 AFM undertakes to implement all reasonable and appropriate measures to safeguard any personal information it holds about the Student. AFM also requires that its employees, contractors, and agents with authorised access to such information strictly refrain from any unauthorised use, alteration, reproduction, or disclosure. Any breach of these obligations may result in disciplinary and/or legal action.

8.3 AFM will only disclose the Student’s information: a. to the extent specifically required by law b. for the purposes of the Student’s enrolment (including disclosing information in connection with any query or claim) c. for event-related purposes

8.4 Information provided by the Student is considered confidential and will not be divulged to any third party, nor will it be sold.

8.5 Upon enrolment in the Tuition, AFM may use the content from the Student’s emails to the AFM, in its marketing materials and on its website testimonials page, as well as sending a monthly newsletter to the Student. In so doing, the Student’s identity will never be revealed; however, the AFM may use the Student’s initials and their City. The AFM will also respect the Student’s privacy and only comments related to course outcomes and the Student’s experiences will be mentioned.

9 – Tuition Materials and Copyright

9.1 Tuition materials supplied in class and available for viewing online and may not be recorded, downloaded or copied unless instructed to do so by AFM.

9.2 The content of the Tuition materials, including copyright and all other such intellectual property rights contained therein, remain the exclusive property of the AFM. The Student will not reproduce any part of the Tuition Materials without the prior written consent of the AFM.

9.3 Tuition materials are personal to the Student and the Student is prohibited from selling, giving or transferring the Tuition materials to any other person or organisation who is not the Student.

9.4 Tuition materials and content are subject to change.

10 – One-on-One /Private /Semi-Private Tuition

Please refer to the Private Tuition page of the website: Private Tuition

11 – Catch-Up E-Tuition

In the event that the Student is unable to attend a class, they may organise an online Catch-up Tuition Session. For one two-hour class missed, the Student may organise a paid thirty-minute Catch-up Session. A maximum one-hour Catch-up Lesson may be organised per session when two or more classes are missed. Catch-up sessions are to be booked and organised within the session dates of the missed class(es) and are subject to AFM’s tutor availabilities. Catch-up sessions take place exclusively online. 7 AFM Term & Conditions 2026 – Version 1.0 – 21/11/2025

12 – Exams

12.1 To register in an exam offered by AFM, the Candidate must complete the form for the corresponding exam they wish to sit, which can be found on the AFM website: AFM - Exams and Diplomas. Upon receipt of the completed form, AFM will invoice the candidate via email. It is the Candidate’s responsibility to pay the invoice within seven Business Days of receipt of the invoice.

12.2 Cancellations and deferrals prior to the registration deadline must be made by the Candidate in writing. A processing fee of AUD$80 (eighty Australian dollars) will be charged by AFM. No refund, credit note, or deferral will be granted after the registration closing date. Exam registrations are not transferable to other candidates.

13 – Student Benefits

13.1 The Student is entitled to benefits including discounts and access to the Culturethèque and Media Centre (subject to availability). Benefits are valid only for the duration of the Tuition.

13.2 The Student is entitled to attend general and extraordinary AFM meetings. Unless the Student becomes a Member of AFM, the Student does not carry any voting rights at such meetings.

14 – Membership

In the event the Student chooses to become a Member of the AFM by paying the Membership Subscription Fee, Membership of the AFM is valid for one year from the purchase date of the Membership. Members can access their membership cards digitally by logging into their AFM account. Membership allows members to enjoy benefits including: eligibility to vote at the Annual General Meeting of the AFM, and at extraordinary meetings.

15. Student Obligations

15.1 The Student must:

a. ensure that any information provided to the AFM is accurate;

b. notify AFM of any changes to his or her contact details;

c. notify AFM immediately of any difficulties or problems the Student may experience with Tuition;

d. conduct him or herself civilly and respectfully at all times when interacting with AFM staff, Tutors and other students, whether in person or via telephone calls, email, instant chats or any other media. Allegations of misconduct will be investigated by AFM. Violent, indecent, disorderly behaviour, hate speech, threatening or offensive language are in breach of these Terms and the offending Student will be disbarred from their course.

e. not, under any circumstances, use abusive language or harass staff, tutors or other students. AFM reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, what constitutes abusive language and harassment, and where that has occurred; and may, partially or completely, deny service to the infringing Student.

f. when undertaking online classes, the Student shall ensure that they are in a safe and quiet environment. It is compulsory to have cameras and microphones switched on for the duration of online classes with AFM. In the interests of all Students, it is the AFM’s obligation to request any Students who cannot fulfil these requirements to leave the class.

g. enrol in a course at a level appropriate to their abilities.

h. AFM may, in its sole discretion, refuse re-enrolment of the Student in any other Course.

16. Limitation of Liability

16.1 To the extent permitted by law, the AFM hereby excludes any liability to the Student in contract, tort, statute or in any other way for any injury, damage or loss of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, any liability for direct, indirect, special or consequential loss or damage), sustained by the Student or any other person, or for any costs, charges or expenses incurred by the Student, arising from or in connection with the Student’s Tuition enrolment and any act or omission of Alliance Française de Melbourne. AFM accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal property on AFM premises or other premises where AFM take place.

16.2 Where an Act of Parliament implies in this Agreement any term or warranty which cannot be excluded, restricted or modified, such term or warrant shall be deemed to be included in this Agreement provided that the AFM liability for a breach of such term or warranty is, at the option of the AFM, limited to the supply of the Tuition again or the cost of supplying the Tuition again.

16.3 The Student acknowledges that, despite best endeavours by both parties in terms of Tuition and learning, the AFM does not warrant the Student’s improvement in French as a result of Tuition.

17. Force Majeure

The AFM shall not be liable or responsible to the Student, nor be deemed to have defaulted or breached this Agreement, for any failure or delay in fulfilling or performing any term of the enrolment of the Student for Tuition when and to the extent such failure or delay is caused by or results from acts or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the AFM, including, without limitation, acts of God, flood, fire, earthquake, explosion, governmental actions, war, invasion or hostilities (whether war is declared or not), terrorist threats or acts, riot, or other civil unrest, national emergency, revolution, insurrection, epidemic, lock-outs, strikes or other labour disputes (whether or not relating to either party's workforce), or restraints or delays affecting online operators or inability or delay in obtaining supplies of adequate or suitable materials, materials or telecommunication breakdown or power outage. This clause expressly includes any further circumstance related directly or indirectly to the current coronavirus crisis such as governmental/state decisions, unrest, breakdown or power outage, etc.

18. Governing Law

All matters arising out of or relating to these Terms andConditions and to the enrolment of the Student for Tuition are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Victoria, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of Victoria or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than those of Victoria.

19. Jurisdiction

19.1 Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to these T&Cs and to the enrolment of the Student for Tuition shall be instituted in the courts of Victoria (Australia).

19.2 In connection with any controversy hereunder, each party shall be responsible for its legal fees and disbursements and all court and related costs and expenses; provided that, if The AFM shall be the prevailing party in any such controversy, the AFM shall be entitled to reimbursement of legal fees and disbursements and all court and related costs and expenses from the Student.

20. Miscellaneous Notices

All notices, request, consents, claims, demands, waivers and other communications hereunder (each, a "Notice") shall be in writing and addressed to the parties at the addresses set forth on the enrolment documents or to such other address that may be designated by the receiving party in writing. All Notices shall be delivered by personal delivery, nationally recognized overnight courier (with all fees pre-paid), facsimile (with confirmation of transmission) or certified or registered mail (in each case, return receipt requested, postage prepaid).

Amendment and Modification These T&Cs may only be amended or modified in a writing that specifically sets forth that said writing amends these T&Cs and is signed by an authorised representative of the Alliance Française de Melbourne.

Severability: If any term or provision of either these T&C or the enrolment of the Student for Tuition is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or provision of these T&Cs or the enrolment of the Student for Tuition or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Survival: Provisions of these T&Cs and the enrolment of the Student for Tuition which by their nature should apply beyond their terms will remain in force after any termination or expiration of this Order including, but not limited to, the following provisions: compliance with Laws, confidentiality, Governing Law, submission to Jurisdiction and survival.Enter your content here