How it works

OS-HELP is a loan available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place who want to study part of their course overseas. OS-HELP can be used for a range of expenses such as airfares, accommodation and other travel or study expenses.

You can receive one loan per six-month study period and two OS-HELP loans over your lifetime.

How much you can borrow

In 2026, eligible applicants will be able to select from the following indexed amounts to borrow per six-month study period.

• If you study in Asia*: $2500, $5000, $10,130
• If you do not study in Asia: $2000, $4000, $8442
• Supplementary loan for approved Asian language study: $1345

The Asian language study will need to be an official language of your host location and completed in preparation for study in Asia*. You cannot request the extra loan amount if your Asian language study is part of your course or if you are already using a HELP loan to pay for those units.

* 'Asia' includes these countries:

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

Students need to ensure they do not travel to or remain in locations where Smartraveller advice is ‘Do not travel’ or ‘Reconsider your need to travel’. For information about thse categories, check the Smartraveller website.