1. Lessons are scheduled in accordance with the QLD state school-term dates, which reserves the student a specific time slot for the entire term: 10-week terms.  
2. Students in private schools who have 9-week terms are still booked for a 10-week term at Koala Keys. If for any reason the student is unavailable for their lesson in week 10, please notify me before hand and we can schedule a make up lesson during the break or the following terms. Please note that under most situations, missed lessons are not deductible from the invoices. 
3. Lessons during the school term vacations periods can be scheduled separately and will depend on my (the teacher/director) availably. 
4. The lesson schedule will be revised from term to term and is subject to some changes. The end of term is the most convenient time for the student to request a change of lesson time or day for the following term if needed. 
5. Lessons are either 30 min, 45 min or 60 min long. The choice lesson duration should reflect the level of music and the set goals of the students. The teacher will let you know when it's time to upgrade the lesson plan according to the student's progress and level. 
6. It is the student’s responsibility to attend in person or online lessons on time. Please be on time. If a student arrives late, I will not be able be take from the following student’s lesson time to accommodate late arrivals.

1. If an individual lesson is to be cancelled, you must notify me at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled lesson time. If a cancellation is made without adequate notice the lesson and the regular tuition fee will be forfeit. 
2.  If the cancellation of a lesson is made with adequate notice, I will organize a make-up lesson either in person or online when there is another time free within that term (such as another student’s cancellation). For most cases, missed lessons cannot be carried over into subsequent terms. 
3. If there are exceptional circumstances, missed lessons can happen in a later term. However, missed lessons cannot be used as credit or deducted from an invoice. 
4.  If the student is not present for the make-up lesson, the lesson and the tuition cost for that lesson will be forfeited. 
5. If a scheduled lesson coincides with a public holiday, the lesson would take place as it would if there was not a public holiday. The standard 24-hour notice rule applies for cancellations during holiday periods.
6. If I am sick or otherwise unable to teach a lesson, I will endeavour to make- up the lesson or credit the lesson fees.
7. LESSONS DURING LOCKDOWN:  ALL music lessons will continue online via Zoom during COVID lockdowns. No make up lesson, refunds or credits can be provided for not accepting the online lesson option. Only in very rare exceptions can I consider and alternative solution (usually in the case of children with special needs). 
8.  Exceptions to the Rules: The more notice given, the more flexibility you’ll have to reschedule. Please look at your schedule in advance! Life can be crazy sometimes – talk to me – open communication is key!
9. Make-up lessons and are not available for students who miss lessons due to play dates, games, non-emergency appointments, forgetfulness or family vacations in the term.
10. If a student in a family with more than one student enrolled for lessons missed lesson/s, and has given the 24-hours notice, we will have make-up lessons for that student. Make-up lessons can't be passed on as an extra lesson or credit to another student in the same family. 
11.  There are few exceptions where I can offer a credit but I don't offer refunds. 
12. MISSED CONCERTS: students can cancel their RSVP up to 7 days before the concert if they'd like receive a refund (if it was already paid for). The concerts are non-profit events. The ticket prices cover the exact amount of the concert expenses. Any RSVP cancelations without sufficient 7-day notice can't be refunded. 

1. The payment options for in-person and online lesson fees are:
2. Lessons are invoiced in blocks of 5 or 10 lessons and the fee is due in advance. Payments are due in the 1^st and 5^th weeks of term. Payment method ONLINE PAYMENTS ONLY. 
3. Please note that the student is booked for a 10 week block. The option of the 5-week invoice is just a payment plan option. Lessons cannot be deducted or credited from the invoices if cancelled with notice (please see missed lesson section). 
4. Paying fortnightly or weekly lesson  - Please note that the fees are $5 higher per half hour for this option of payment.
5. Tuition fees covers not only the actual lesson time spent with the student, but the teachers’ preparation time for each lesson as well. This includes: 
    • an individualised lesson plan for each lesson throughout the term 
         • repertoire planning and recital/exam material preparation, scanning and printing materials  
6. The tuition rate for 5 or 10 block lessons paid in advance are $44 per 30 min, $66.00 per 45 min, and $88 per 60 min. lessons. Students taking lessons twice a week pay the same hourly rate. 
7. Tuition payments are not refundable after the term has 
commenced. 
8. Casual lessons are $90.00 per hour. 
9. All rates are listed exclusive of GST, which will be calculated in your invoices. 
10. A late fee of $15 per week will be added to any late payments. Late payments of more than 2 weeks will result in pausing of further lessons until the fee is paid in full (including the late fee). 
11. If a student is away for a large portion of the term, full term fees must be paid if parents/student want to secure a time slot when they return. 
12. Invoices for each school term will be provided via email at least 1-2 weeks prior to the start of each term. 
13. Should something come up where you cannot financially fulfil your commitment to your lessons, advanced notice and open, ongoing communication is encouraged!
14. It is expected that the teacher will require each student to purchase some music books apart from the provided music from the studio music library (the teacher will photocopy 4-5 new pieces a term for each student). The expected music material expense for each student is $20-50 per term. In most cases, the teacher will then supply the book/s with the consent of the parents/students and send an invoice. 
15.  There is $15 admin/resources fee per term. If more than 2 students are enrolled in one family the fee is $30 for the family per term. This fee covers 
    • Bookkeeping and administration 
    • Photocopying music or Scanning/emailing time and use of the Studio stationery and accessories, 
    • Time taken to upload lesson notes and recording to online formats 
    • Access to the school music library (max of 4-5 pieces per term)
    • Funding the music library
    • School subscription to apps, technology and teaching material (stickers, colours, games….etc.) 
    • Studio and piano maintenance and tuning

1. Students can cancel enrolment of lessons only at the end of a term. If a student is enrolled and term has commenced, they're committed to complete the term of lessons. Please note that all students (following any of the above payment methods) are obligated to follow the regulations for cancelation of enrolment even if the full terms fees are not yet paid in advance. Koala Keys Music School offers the split 5-week invoice twice a term payment plan as a special offer to help families with financing. But it does not change the commitment to the term of lessons and to pay for the full term in on invoice or a split 2-invoice payment plan. 
2. In very small situations, I might be able to extend a credit for a period of time, depending on the situation. But both invoices need to be fully paid for if the student had enrolled for lessons for that term. 
3. If lessons are cancelled indefinitely prior to the end of a term, no refund will be given for the lessons remaining to the end 
of that term. 

5. Instrument Requirements 

At Koala Keys Music School, we have piano lessons not keyboard lessons. 
Students are therefore required to own an appropriate instrument so they can practice at home. This can be an acoustic piano or a digital piano. Digital pianos must have the full sized, 88-weighted keys instrument and they must have a sustaining pedal, an adjustable stool and a music stand. 
Keyboards that are less than 88 keys and don't have weighted keys are not suitable for piano lessons. Students who only have a small keyboard at home are required to upgrade their instrument as soon as possible and no later than the 2nd term of piano lessons. 

Not having a full sized piano or digital piano with weighted keys at home to practice is a huge hinderance to progress in technique and musicality and all other aspects of piano playing. 

Therefore at Koala Keys, students are required to own an 88-weighted-keys digital piano or acoustic piano by the 2nd term of lessons maximum. 

Please ask Mary for the link for recommendation on how to purchase your first digital or acoustic piano. 

If you have an acoustic piano, it is required that you get the piano tuned regularly. 

Thank you.  

 6. Media  
At Koala Keys Music School, we photograph or record sections or special moments from lessons and events. We have an active online presence on social media (Facebook and Instagram and YouTube) and we love to share and showcase the amazing talent we have here amongst our students. The images and videos are sometimes used for advertising on the website and social media. If you’d like to opt your child out, please let us know

7. Studio Procedures at Koala Keys Music School location 

1. REMEMBER—the studio is an extension of the private residence and must be please regarded and respected as such. 
2. No food, gum or drinks (except water) is allowed in the studio!
3. Lesson time must remain as focused as possible. Siblings, parents, or grandparents are welcome to attend provided they remain quiet (which includes no talking, whispering, typing on laptops, noisy toys, apps…etc.) This is to ensure that the quality of the lesson time is maximized. 
4. The living area (dining/kitchen/living) outside the studio is not a waiting room and is reserved for private family use only. Please wait in the studio, at Red Edge Shops (5 min walk) or in the car. 
5. Hand washing and/or sanitizing is required before and after every lesson (the studio surfaces are also regularly sanitized) 
6. PARKING. All long-term parking is along the street only - either side is acceptable. The driveway is off limits to all vehicles. Please—do not use any of the neighbours' driveways for any reason.