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HECS-HELP
If you have a Commonwealth supported place in your course, you may be eligible to defer your student contribution through HECS-HELP.
- Overview and eligibility
- How to apply
- What happens next
Overview and eligibility
HECS-HELP is a government loan scheme assisting eligible students to defer their student contribution through a loan.
Any amount deferred through HECS-HELP becomes part of an accumulated HELP debt, which you will be required to repay through the tax system once you meet a certain salary threshold.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for HECS-HELP, you need to:
- be enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)*
- be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder
- meet the HECS-HELP residency requirements
- be a New Zealand Special Category Visa holder who meets the long-term residency requirements. You will be required to provide evidence of this to the University.
*If you are a New Zealand citizen, a permanent visa holder or a permanent humanitarian visa holder, you need to be in Australia for the duration of your study to be eligible for a CSP, as outlined in the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (part 3-2, 90-5).
Eligibility criteria and legislation around HECS-HELP can change. See the Study Assist website for full details.
If you’re an Australian permanent resident visa holder (excluding a permanent humanitarian visa holder) or a New Zealand citizen who is currently not eligible for HECS-HELP assistance, you are required to pay your student contribution up front.
Proposed changes to higher education funding
The Australian Government has announced a number of proposed reforms to higher education funding which may affect legislation around HECS-HELP. Find out more about the proposed changes.
Last updated: 12 April 2021
