I enroled in a Master Trainer and Fitness Business course with the Australian Institute of Fitness on the 2nd of December 2015. I paid a deposit of $750 on the same date. The total cost of the course is $10 280 and it is due to start in June 2015. In February of this year I became aware of a course that gives the same qualifications for approximately $2000 total. I emailed the Australian Institute of Fitness on the 18th of February 2015 requesting to cancel the agreement due to financial difficulties and also requested my $750 deposit back. I received a reply email stating that the terms of the contract would require me to still pay for 50% of the total course cost ($5140). The cooling off period is up to 10 days after signing of the contact during which time the contract can be cancelled for a full refund. This is all stated in the contract that I signed but it seems unfair that I would have to pay for half of the course even though I've given 4 months notice of my cancellation. I was under the impression that this was what a deposit was for. Under contract law, are they able to force me to pay the $5140?