PAYMENT TERMS & CONDITIONS
Southern Dance Academy
All parents/caregivers are required to pay tuition fees for Southern Dance Academy classes.
Tuition fees are invoiced at the beginning of each term and are due within 21 days of registration unless an approved payment plan has been arranged. Fees are generally based on a minimum of eight weeks of classes per term and are adjusted where applicable. Term 4 is structured differently due to additional rehearsal and performance requirements associated with the Annual Showcase (see Term 4 Fees & Annual Showcase below).
Southern Dance Academy encourages a full-year commitment to support student progress and participation in performances and learning opportunities. However, term-by-term enrolment is available where required.
Additional fees apply for optional programmes, including examinations, medal awards, workshops, competitions, performance teams, and the Annual Showcase. These fees are payable by the published due dates. Each programme has its own policies, requirements, and payment schedules, which must be reviewed prior to enrolment.
Families enrolling in the Full SDA Package (where available) may select an all-inclusive annual tuition option, payable in weekly instalments via Auto Pay during school terms.
Payment may be made in full through the Parent Portal or via an approved payment plan. Payment plans must be agreed in advance. Please contact Miss Nicola to discuss available options.
Southern Dance Academy covers online payment processing fees charged through the Parent Portal. A payment reminder is issued approximately 15 days before each due date.
ACCOUNT RESPONSIBILITY
The person completing the enrolment (the Account Holder) is fully responsible for all tuition fees, merchandise purchases, optional programme fees, and any other charges associated with the student’s enrolment.
Where more than one parent, caregiver, or guardian is listed on an account, Southern Dance Academy may communicate with any listed party regarding outstanding balances, payment arrangements, or account matters where appropriate.
Private financial arrangements between parents or caregivers do not alter the Account Holder’s responsibility for payment.
By submitting an enrolment, the Account Holder confirms they are authorised to enrol the student(s) and accept full financial responsibility in accordance with these Terms & Conditions.
FINANCIAL HARDSHIP & NON-PAYMENT
Southern Dance Academy recognises that financial circumstances may change. Families experiencing difficulty are required to contact Miss Nicola as soon as possible to discuss support options.
Where possible, Southern Dance Academy will work in good faith to establish an approved payment arrangement that supports continued participation while maintaining the sustainability of the studio.
Where an approved payment arrangement is in place and being maintained, the account will not be referred to debt collection.
Approved payment arrangements may include adjusted due dates and may include suspension, reduction, or waiver of late payment fees at the discretion of Southern Dance Academy.
Where no payment is received, no approved arrangement is in place, and no reasonable attempt has been made to communicate regarding the outstanding account, Southern Dance Academy reserves the right to refer the debt to Undercontrol Credit Management for recovery.
By enrolling, the Account Holder agrees that, where necessary for debt recovery, relevant account information may be provided to Undercontrol Credit Management or another authorised debt recovery provider acting on behalf of Southern Dance Academy.
Any costs incurred in recovering outstanding fees, including debt collection fees, administration charges, and legal costs where applicable, will be added to the outstanding balance and remain the responsibility of the Account Holder.
LATE PAYMENTS
Accounts that remain unpaid after the 21-day payment period and are not covered by an approved payment plan may incur a late payment fee of $2.00, applied five days after the due date.
If the account remains unpaid, a further $2.00 late fee will be applied every seven days, up to a maximum of five late fees. Once the maximum has been reached, no further late fees will be applied.
Late payment fees are applied automatically through the Parent Portal and will only be removed where applied in error or at the discretion of Southern Dance Academy.
Approved payment arrangements may include suspension, adjustment, or waiver of late payment fees in accordance with the agreed arrangement.
Non-payment of late fees does not remove responsibility for outstanding tuition fees or other charges.
Southern Dance Academy may suspend participation in classes, performances, examinations, competitions, merchandise purchases, or other programmes until the account is brought up to date or an approved payment arrangement is maintained.
TERM 4 FEES & ANNUAL SHOWCASE
Term 4 tuition fees are charged at the standard term rate. While Term 4 may include fewer than eight weeks of regular classes due to the Annual Showcase, no reduction in tuition fees applies.
This is because Term 4 forms part of an annual training programme and includes additional rehearsals, production preparation, and performance activities integral to student learning and development.
An additional Showcase Fee applies to students participating in the Annual Showcase. This fee contributes towards production costs including costumes, performance resources, venue hire, and related expenses. Families will be advised of fees, inclusions, and payment deadlines in advance.
TRIAL FEES
New students may register for up to three trial classes within one class style at a cost of $8.00 per class. Trial classes are booked through the Parent Portal and payment is required at the time of registration.
If the student subsequently enrols, trial class fees will be credited to their account.
DANCE CARDS
Dance Cards are available for eligible adult classes only.
Dance Cards are sold in blocks of 10 sessions and are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Attendance is tracked through the Parent Portal.
Once all sessions have been used, a new Dance Card may be purchased.
Children’s classes are offered as term enrolments only and are not eligible for Dance Cards as standard.
In exceptional circumstances, such as extended illness, injury, or other approved reasons, Southern Dance Academy may approve an alternative arrangement or the use of a Dance Card at its discretion. Approval is not guaranteed and must be requested directly with Miss Nicola.
UNIFORM PURCHASES & PAYMENT
Uniform items are available for purchase through the Parent Portal.
As items are sourced from external suppliers, a deposit is required before orders are placed or released. Deposit amounts are determined by Southern Dance Academy at the time of ordering.
Remaining balances must be paid in full prior to collection or managed under an approved short-term payment plan.
Approved payment plans for uniform purchases must be managed separately from tuition fees using distinct references:
MERCH – Uniform and merchandise payments
FEES – Tuition payments
Deposits are non-refundable once orders have been placed, except where required under New Zealand consumer law.
Southern Dance Academy may withhold uniform items until the required deposit has been received and any agreed payment arrangement is in place.
MISSED CLASSES
Tuition fees secure a student’s place in class and do not represent payment per individual lesson.
Refunds or credits are not available for occasional absences due to illness, holidays, family commitments, school events, or other personal reasons.
Requests for extended absences due to illness or injury may be considered under the Refund Policy.
Where appropriate, Southern Dance Academy may offer a make-up class or alternative learning opportunity. Make-up classes are not guaranteed and are offered at the discretion of the studio.
CANCELLATION
Tuition fees are charged per term (or season where applicable) and are non-refundable except where required under New Zealand consumer law or where approved under the Refund Policy.
Enrolment cancellation may be made at the end of the current term. Notice must be provided before the commencement of the following term.
Cancellation does not remove responsibility for any outstanding tuition fees, merchandise purchases, optional programme fees, or approved payment arrangements.
STAFF ILLNESS
If a class is cancelled due to staff illness, Southern Dance Academy will reschedule the class where possible.
If more than two classes of the same class type are cancelled in a term and cannot be rescheduled, Southern Dance Academy will issue a credit. Where a credit is not suitable, a partial refund may be offered.
The remedies in this section take precedence over the general Refund Policy.
REFUND POLICY
Refunds or credits may be considered in the following circumstances:
extended absence due to verified illness or injury
absence from more than 50% of scheduled classes in a term due to verified medical reasons
Medical documentation may be requested.
Refunds will not be issued where a student voluntarily withdraws or changes their mind after enrolment, except where required under New Zealand consumer law.
This Refund Policy applies except where specific remedies are provided under the Staff Illness section, which takes precedence.
All requests are assessed individually at the discretion of Southern Dance Academy.
