What is a student loan?
A HELP Loan or VET Student Loan (VSL) is an Australian Government loan that helps pay part or all of the cost of your studies. If you are eligible and have provided your Tax File Number (TFN) and a verified Unique Student Identifier (USI), your fees will defer to a loan after each census date. You begin to pay your loan back through the tax system once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold or you can make voluntary repayments to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) at any time.
Am I eligible?
Your eligibility depends on criteria such as your citizenship status, and whether you're studying an undergraduate, postgraduate or vocational education unit. To find out what government assistance is available to you, visit Study Assist.
| Student citizenship status | Eligibility | Please refer to additional information |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Citizen | Yes with conditions | Learn more |
| Australian Permanent Resident | No | |
| Humanitarian Visa Holder | Yes with conditions | Learn more |
| New Zealand Citizen | To confirm eligibility, please contact Student Central | Learn more |
| Pacific Engagement Visa Holder | Yes with conditions | Learn more |
| International student/Temporary Visa Holder | No |
How do I apply for a loan?
To find out further information select a type of loan from below.
HECS-HELP
HECS-HELP loan to cover Commonwealth supported place (CSP) student contribution amounts.
FEE-HELP
FEE-HELP loan to cover Full Fee-Paying Place tuition.
SA-HELP
SA-HELP loan to cover Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
OS-HELP
OS-HELP loan to cover study abroad or exchange course expenses.
VET Student Loan
VET Student Loan to help pay tuition fees for approved TAFE units.
Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN)
A CAN will be issued to students within 28 days of the census date. This notice will detail the units you are enrolled in for the study period and any Commonwealth Assistance you accessed, either through a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) or a HELP loan. You can use the CAN to verify the amounts listed against your HELP debt to ensure accuracy. A CAN is issued when students:
- are enrolled in a CSP, regardless of whether you choose to pay upfront or take out a loan or
- elect to take out a FEE-HELP, SA-HELP or VET Student Loan.
The University is legally obligated to provide you with a CAN.