Varuna’s Rescheduling and Cancellation Policy

A unique organisation, Varuna the National Writer’s House is a friendly and relaxed residential writer’s retreat that takes pride in inspiring the creation of Australian writing.

RESIDENCY FEES

Varuna relies on the residency fees paid by each writer when they come to stay to ensure that all housekeeping, catering and administration services are available to writers for the week that they are here and all year round. If writers need to cancel or reschedule their residency booking, Varuna staff work to fill the vacancy so that we do not operate at a loss.

We understand that many things can crop up in a life that would prevent one from attending a residency. As part of the organisational administration for residency bookings, Varuna rigorously keeps a cancellation list and waitlist to call on when a vacancy arises.

Please read through Varuna’s cancellation and rescheduling policy (detailed below) that explains the procedures we follow in these instances.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO CANCEL MY RESIDENCY?

If you cancel your residency with more than a month's notice and we are not able to fill the vacancy, you will forfeit your 50 per cent deposit. It is unlikely that we wouldn’t be able to fill a vacancy with this much notice, however.

If you cancel your residency with less than a month’s notice, including up to one or two weeks before your start date, and we are not able to fill the vacancy, you are required to pay the full residency amount.

If you cancel your residency at any time and we are able to fill the vacancy, we will reimburse the amount you have paid, less a $50 administration fee.

CAN I RESCHEDULE MY RESIDENCY?

Absolutely. If we can fill your vacancy, no fees will be charged for rescheduling though you will still need to pay the balance of whatever is remaining before your rescheduled residency date.

If you reschedule your residency with more than a month's notice and we are not able to fill the vacancy for your original dates, you will forfeit your 50 per cent deposit. This again, is unlikely, due to the waitlist system that the organisation keeps for such circumstances.

If you reschedule your residency with less than a month’s notice and we are not able to fill the vacancy, there is a change fee equivalent to 75 per cent of your residency. You will still be eligible for a small refund of your residency fee.

CANCELLATIONS RELATED TO COVID - 19 AND OTHER ILLNESS

We can’t refund cancelled or rescheduled residencies if writers are unwell or face unexpected Covid isolation requirements, and so we encourage you to be cautious with your social contacts and activities in the days leading up to your residency as much as possible.

We understand there can be extraordinary circumstances, however, and these will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Please email varuna@varuna.com.au or call 02 4782 5674 to discuss the circumstances of your cancellation or rescheduling needs.