As a domestic student, you could be entitled to a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) at university. This means that the Australian Government subsidises your fees so that you only pay the remainder of the fees through a ‘student contribution' amount. HECS-HELP is a loan scheme to help you pay your course fees (student contribution amount).

Am I eligible for a HECS-Help loan scheme?

To be eligible for HECS-HELP, you must have a Commonwealth Supported Place, and be:

  • an Australian citizen and will undertake at least one unit of study in Australia that contributes to your course of study
  • the holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa and will be resident in Australia for the duration of your unit
  • the holder of a Pacific Engagement Visa (from 1 February 2024)
  • a New Zealand citizen with a Special Category Visa (SCV) who meets all of the eligibility requirements.

From 1 January 2023, all CSP students will need to provide a Unique Student Identifier (USI). You should provide your USI on your HECS-HELP form. If you don't provide your USI on your HECS-HELP form, you will not be entitled to access a HELP loan, or study in a Commonwealth Supported Place course.

Combined HELP loan limit

From 1 January 2020, a combined HELP loan limit will replace the FEE-HELP limit and will include HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, VET FEE-HELP and VET Student Loans.

Only new HECS-HELP debts incurred from 1 January 2020 will be counted towards the limit.

Any existing FEE-HELP, VET FEE-HELP or VET Student Loans taken out prior to 2020 will count towards your new HELP balance.

HECS-HELP 10% upfront payment discount

The Government has ended the 10% discount for paying student contribution amounts upfront. This applies to units with a census date from 1 January 2023.