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OS-HELP
If you’re studying in a Commonwealth supported place and you’re thinking of completing part of your studies overseas you may be eligible for OS-HELP.
- Overview and eligibility
- How to apply
- What happens next
Overview and eligibility
OS-HELP is a loan available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place who want to undertake some of their study 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.
Eligibility
You can apply for OS-HELP in the six-month period before the start of your overseas study. Your application needs to be for study that you have not yet completed.
You are eligible to apply if you are a Commonwealth supported student participating in a program where study is for academic credit or is otherwise a mandatory component of your current course at the University. This includes:
- an approved exchange or study abroad program
- an overseas professional placement (clinical, community, industry or internship)
- a fieldwork program.
You also need to meet all of the criteria below.
- You’re an Australian citizen, permanent humanitarian visa holder or a New Zealand Special Category Visa holder who meets the long-term residency requirements.
- You have not received an OS-HELP loan on more than one other occasion.
- You are enrolled as a Commonwealth supported student and have completed 48 credit points towards your current course.
- You will be undertaking full-time study overseas that will count towards your current course.
- You will have at least six credit points of your course left to complete once you have finished your overseas study.
- You meet the tax file number (TFN) requirements.
Eligibility criteria and legislation around OS-HELP can change, so see the Study Assist website for full details.
When you aren't eligible for OS-HELP
You are not eligible for OS-HELP if any of the following apply.
- You are receiving FEE-HELP or SA-HELP but are not in a Commonwealth supported place.
- You have received an OS-HELP loan for the same six-month period (counted from the commencement date of the overseas study for the first loan). For example, if you have received an OS-HELP loan for overseas study starting on 1 January, you may not then be selected to receive a second OS-HELP loan for overseas study which begins before 2 July of that year.
- You will complete the credit requirements of your course upon completion of your overseas study.
- You have already completed the program for which you would like to apply for OS-HELP.
How much can I borrow?
In 2022, successful applicants can select from the following amounts to borrow per six-month study period.
- non-Asian destinations: $2000, $4000, $7100
- Asian destinations*: $2500, $5000, $8519.
If you are taking a relevant and endorsed Asian-language course before studying in Asia, you can also apply for a supplementary OS-HELP loan of $1133.
The language course must be in preparation for your primary study in Asia and cannot be credited to your course.
In 2023, the maximum OS-HELP loan amounts will increase to:
- non-Asian destinations: $2000, $4000, $7348
- Asian destinations*: $2500, $5000, $8817
- Supplementary loan for approved Asian language study: $1172
*You will be considered to be undertaking overseas study in Asia if you are undertaking study in a country listed in the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Standard Australian Classification of Countries, under the minor groups: Mainland South-east Asia, Maritime South-East Asia, Chinese Asia, Japan and the Koreas and Southern Asia.
Last updated: 24 November 2022
