FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
If I am not a member of Wollongong UniCentre Ltd, can I still become a VIP?
Yes, The VIP program offers heaps of savings on and off campus. Simply visit us at the VIP Zone in the UniCentre Bookshop after completing the application form in the Membership section in the tool bar on the left hand side of this screen.
So, can I just become a member of wollongong UniCentre ltd and not upgrade to VIP? And, will I still get discounts on campus?
Yes, you can elect to be a non-financial member of UniCentre which still entitles you to some great benefits such as the FREE student diary and ability to nominate and vote for election to the UniCentre Board.
No, only VIP members will be able to benefit from discounts and promotions on and off campus.
When can I become a VIP?
You can become a VIP anytime from Monday 27 November 2006.
How do I opt in / out of UniCentre Membership?
All onshore enrolled students of the University of Wollongong are eligible to choose to become a member of Wollongong UniCentre and can do so via the SOLS Affiliates Membership website
You can also choose to become a member via the UniCentre Membership website http://unicentre.uow.edu.au/vip
Any member can opt out of their membership via the UniCentre Membership website http://unicentre.uow.edu.au/vip
If you choose to no longer be a VIP because your circumstances have changed we are unable to refund. The VIP program has many aspects for you to make the most of your VIP card and save a heap.
Can I change my level of UniCentre Membership?
Yes. You can change your level of membership via the UniCentre website http://unicentre.uow.edu.au/vip.
If you are choosing to become a VIP you will be required to pay the fee before it is activated and the rebates, discounts and benefits are available to you.
If you are choosing to change to a lower level of VIP, we cannot refund.
What will happen if I opt out of UniCentre Membership?
You will no longer be eligible to run for election on the UniCentre Board of Directors to represent students or vote at these elections. You will also be unable to receive a UniCentre Student Diary at the start of Autumn or Spring session.
Note: Membership refers to the FREE membership option not VIP.
How long does my VIP last?
VIP cards are valid from 31st January one year to 30th January the following year. If you renew your card within 90 days of it's expiry date your points will be carried over onto your new VIP card. If you do not renew the loyalty points will expire. Your access to the Rewards Club Card benefits also expires at this time. The expiry date is printed on your card.
How do I collect my UniCentre VIP Card?
VIP cards are available during enrolments from the UniCentre stand located next to Sal Paradise in the IT Arcade Building 17.
VIP cards are also available from the VIP Zone located outside the UniShop.
You can also contact UniCentre on P: (02) 4221 8000 or E: unicentre@uow.edu.au
This may change because we are always looking at ways of making life easier for you, so LOOKOUT for a UniCrew volunteer wearing an orange VIP shirt. They are great and will give you a helping hand.
I am a staff member at the University of Wollongong. Do I have to pay?
Yes, staff employed by the University of Wollongong, ITC or URAC are required to purchase VIP to get great benefits and savings.
I am entitled to become a Life Member this year.. Do I have to pay?
If you are choosing to be a Life Member after 6 full years of fees, then VIP is free and you will receive all VIP benefits after paying a once of adminstration fee of $20.00 and your application is approved. Note: this is not an annual fee, it's just a one off payment.
What will happen if I do not collect my UniCentre VIP card?
You will not be able to swipe your card at UniCentre service outlets to access exclusive VIP Rebates, Discounts and Other Specified Benefits or access the VIP benefits offered by The Rewards Club loyalty Program.
Who can I talk to about UniCentre Membership and VIP?
The VIP Zone is located outside the Unishop and is our membership service point. This is your first contact point for anything related to your UniCentre and is open Monday to Friday 8:00am – 6:00pm in session. Current operating hours are always available at http://unicentre.uow.edu/operatinghours
You can also contact UniCentre on P: (02) 4221 8000 or E: unicentre@uow.edu.au
What are the different forms of UniCentre Membership and VIP available?
VIP is designed to deliver greater value to those who are into enjoying all that campus life offers like Entertainment, Textbook discounts and rebates, saving on food purchases, clubs and societies, training workshops and other Centre for Student Development opportunities as well as, the Rewards Club Card, offering discounts at more than 200 local business including retail outlets, cinemas, restaurants, and other outlets around the area.
UniCentre Life Membership is for our long-term members who have already paid University Compulsory Service Charges and/or voluntary fees for a minimum of six full years.
UniCentre Membership is for enrolled onshore students of the University of Wollongong who have opted to become members of UniCentre and have accepted the terms and conditions of membership as specified in the UniCentre Articles of Association , and the Memorandum of Association (as amended from time to time).
UniCentre Membership gives the right to vote in the UniCentre Board of Directors Election and the right to nominate for the UniCentre Board of Directors' Election if they are a current student or UOW/UniCentre Staff Member or Life Member. They are eligible to join a Club or Society and enter UniCentre Competitions, receive a FREE UniCentre Student Diary and have Free use of all UniCentre online services including the What’s On Email Newsletter, UniClassifieds, etc.
What if I am a Postgraduate Student?
The same options are available to postgraduate students as are currently available to undergraduate students.
How does the UniCentre Member Card work?
Under the UniCentre Vip program, you can earn Rebate Points and Cash Discounts whenever you purchase prescribed goods or services using the VIP card at specified UniCentre service outlets according to the terms and conditions.
Your VIP Card also entitles you to access the extensive range of benefits and discounts provided by the Rewards Club member benefit program and to various local Illawarra business discounts etc.
How does the Rebate work?
Basically, when you make an eligible purchase, you will earn approximately $0.10 in the dollar, that is, 10% of the RRP (Recommended Retail Price). So, if you make a $5.00 purchase (RRP), you will earn approximately 500 Rebate Points, which equates to $0.50.
When redeeming your Rebate Points, 1,000 Rebate Points equates to $1.00. If you have 2,000 Rebate Points, and you wish to buy a copy of a newspaper valued at $1.00, you can use 1,000 of your points.
See below for some examples of how it all works.
How can I find out what benefits I can use from The Rewards Club Card and where I can use them?
Simply visit The Rewards Club website at http://www.rewardsclub.com.au for more information. We will also provide you with updates and information via email and on our websitehttp://unicentre.uow.edu.au
How can I use my Rebate Points?
You can use your Rebate Points to pay for goods and services from all of these UniCentre services:
UniShop
UniBar
Fuel Silo
Sal Paradise
Keira Buffet
UniCentre Enquiries & Ticket Counter
Centre for Student Development
Entertainment
You can even use your Rebate Points to pay for your VIP card the following year. (This can only be done at the UniShop)
Can UniCentre change how the Discount and Rebate Points system operates?
We may change the current way Rebate Points are earned or introduce new ways of earning Rebate Points. We may also change the Cash Discount from time to time. UniCentre may also change the way UniCentre Membership is structured from time to time. But don’t worry, if we do make changes we will always try to notify you first.
Can UniCentre deduct Rebate Points from my VIP Card?
We would only deduct Rebate Points from your VIP card if you return and goods or services purchased with your card, or your card is credited in connection with a disputed transaction. In such circumstances, we will adjust your Rebate Points account total by deducting any points that were earned in connection with the original or disputed transaction.
can I check how many Rebate Points I have on my VIP Card?
Simply visit http://unicentre.uow.edu.au/vip and type in your user name and password to view your Rebate Points Account. You will be able to view your Total Points as well as your Transaction Record.
How long do I have to use my points?
If you renew your VIP card within 90 days of expiry all previously earned points will be carried over. If VIP is not renewed within 90 days all the points will expire and be deleted from your account.
You can use the Rewards Club Loyalty Program while your VIP card is valid.
Can I share my VIP Card or buy stuff on behalf of my mates?
No. Only you, as a UniCentre VIP can use your Card to receive discounts or earn rebate points and receive other specified benefits of VIP. Your VIP Card is not transferable and is designed to support the purchase of texts and goods for you, not your friends. They are always welcome to become a VIP.
By becoming a VIP you are supporting UniCentre to provide the many social aspects and spaces of campus life both now and in the future. We appreciate that and want you to make great savings on and off campus.
If it is suspected that a VIP card is being used contrary to the terms and conditions we will remind you of the proper use and continued misuse may result in the card being cancelled.
Can I receive other benefits from the UniCentre VIP Card?
During special VIP promotions you may use your Rebate Points at the UniCentre managed service or facility specified in the terms and conditions of each sales promotion.
If the promotion specifies an expiry date, Discounts, Rebate Points or Other Specified Benefits cannot be used after that time.
How soon after I have collected my UniCentre VIP Card can I earn Rebate Points and receive Discounts and Other Specified Benefits?
Most times it's immediate, but during really busy periods it may take approximately 15 minutes for you to be known as a UniCentre VIP. As soon as this process is complete, you can earn Rebate Points, receive discounts and Other Specified Benefits. It may take more or less time during busy periods and we apologise for any delays.
What happens when there are technical failures?
In some instances, technical failures may mean that we advise you that you cannot receive the Discount or Other Specified Benefits or earn/redeem Rebate Points. We will notify you at the Point of Sale or via other communications where possible when this occurs. Again, in such instances, we apologise for any inconvenience.
How will we communicate with each other?
UniCentre will contact you in regard to your UniCentre VIP status in the first instance via your UOW Email Account or other specified email contact recorded that you last notified us.
You must tell us if you change your contact details. You can do this by writing to Wollongong UniCentre at PO Box U100 University of Wollongong NSW 2500. You can also contact UniCentre on the UniCentre web site accessed through http://unicentre.uow.edu.au or email us at E: unicentre@uow.edu.au
Do my Rebate Points themselves have monetary value?
Rebate Points are not property and do not have any monetary value except in respect of the value assigned to them by UniCentre. Rebate Points, Discounts and Other Specified Benefits may not be transferred, sold, bequeathed or inherited. Rebate Points can only be used personally by the cardholder to make purchases within UniCentre managed facilities accepting the card and are not convertible into cash. Rebate Points are just used to record your entitlement to make non-cash payments or to be used in combination with cash in order to make payments at UniCentre managed facilities on prescribed product or service purchases.
What do you do with the information collected about me?
By choosing to be a Member of UniCentre, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. As an enrolled student of the University of Wollongong you authorize the University of Wollongong to provide UniCentre with your contact details and Student ID photograph if you are an enrolled student. UniCentre must collect these details in accordance with legal requirements and may use these to provide you with benefits, services and communicate with you as a Member as well as provide all VIP's with a UniCentre VIP Card. The storage and use of your details by UniCentre are governed by the University of Wollongong Privacy Policy , the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act NSW 1998 and the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988. For further information about how we will manage and use the information you provide us, please refer to the Member Card Terms and Conditions available on our website at http://unicentre.uow.edu.au/vip (See 5.0 Member Information, Communication and Privacy)
What happens if my card is lost, stolen or damaged?
Should a member’s card get lost, stolen or damaged, UniCentre will replace the card at the cost of $5.00 to the cardholder. Replacement Cards are available from the UniCentre VIP Zone (located outside the UniShop).
Cardholders should contact UniCentre via email: unicentre@uow.edu.au, phone: (02) 4221 8000 or visit the UniCentre VIP Zone to report lost, stolen or damaged cards.
UniCentre is in no way responsible for any misuse of the VIP card in so far as unauthorised redemption of Rebate Points, as the card is the sole responsibility of the cardholder until notification to UniCentre of a card being lost, stolen or damaged.
It is the member’s responsibility to take care of their card and ensure all relating information is kept up-to-date.