HECS-HELP
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What is HECS-HELP?
Under the Federal Government education legislation effective from 1 January 2005, students contribute part of the cost of their higher education whilst the Commonwealth Government funds the remainder. HECS-HELP provides a loan to the student, indexed annually, which is repaid through the taxation system. There are four student contribution bands and different bands attract different liabilities, so the final total cost of your degree depends on which course and which units you enrol in.
Am I eligible to pay student contribution?
All commonwealth supported students in the Higher Education Division enrolled in an undergraduate degree are required to pay the student contribution, unless they are exempted from the provisions of the scheme.
Am I exempt from paying the student contribution?
You are exempt from paying the student contribution if you are:
- A non-Commonwealth Supported Student, paying upfront fees for a postgraduate or undergraduate fee paying course
- A fee paying overseas student
- Enrolled in a single subject
- A holder of a Postgraduate Award Scholarship
How do I request HECS-HELP assistance?
If you are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan, you should obtain a Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP form (also known as a Commonwealth Assistance form or CAF) from your Faculty Administration Office or from the Student Information Centre. You must complete and sign the Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP Form and return it to your Faculty Administration Office at the time of your enrolment or prior to your first census date.
The HECS-HELP assistance gives students three different payment options. Students may choose to:
- Make a full up-front payment of their student contribution amount for all the units of study in which they are enrolled and receive a 20% discount
- Make a partial up-front payment of their student contribution amount (receiving a 20% discount for payments of $500 or more) and obtaining a HECS-HELP loan for the remainder
- Obtain a HECS-HELP loan for the full amount of the student contribution.
If you obtain a HECS-HELP loan for all or part of your student contribution amount, you must provide your tax file number on your Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP Form prior to census date.
What happens if I withdraw or I don't complete my studies?
Any change to your enrolment will affect your HECS-HELP debt. Changes to your enrolment must be completed prior to census date. Students who have completed and submitted the Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP Form and then withdraw before the census date will not be liable to pay the student contribution amount for the unit/s. If you do not formally withdraw from a unit on or before the census date and you have applied for a HECS-HELP loan, you will incur a debt with the Commonwealth for the unpaid portion of your student contribution.
When do I start repaying my HECS-HELP debt?
You will begin repaying your loan through the taxation system once your repayment taxable income reaches the minimum threshold for compulsory repayment.
Further Information
Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST)
DEST Enquiry line: 1800 020 108
Further information on HECS-HELP may be obtained from the Department of Education, Science and Training.
Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
ATO Information line: 13 28 61
Further information about your debt and repayments may be obtained from the Australian Taxation Office.
HELA Enquiry line:1300 650 225
Higher Education Loan Accounts (HELA) Unit for specific queries on your FEE-HELP account.
