Study Assist

HELP Paying My Fees

As a domestic student, the type of fees you will pay for your studies depends on whether you are studying at university, at an approved private higher education provider, or at an approved Vocational Education and Training (VET) provider.

If you are studying at university or at an approved private higher education provider you will be offered either a Commonwealth supported place or a fee paying place. If you are studying at an approved VET provider you will be enrolled as either a state subsidised student or fee paying student.

A Commonwealth supported place is substantially subsidised by the Australian Government so that students are only required to pay ‘student contribution’ amounts for their units of study.

The Government administers five HELP loans schemes to assist students with the cost of their tuition. The right loan for you will depend on your circumstances, eligibility and where you want to study.

HECS-HELP is a loan program to help eligible Commonwealth supported students to pay their student contribution amounts. Before 2005, this was known as ‘HECS’.

FEE-HELP is a loan program to help eligible fee paying students to pay their tuition fees.

SA-HELP is a loan scheme that assists eligible students to pay for all or part of their student services and amenities fee.

OS-HELP is a loan program to help eligible undergraduate Commonwealth supported students to pay their overseas study expenses.

VET FEE-HELP is a loan program to help eligible students enrolled in higher-level vocational education and training courses at approved VET providers to pay their tuition fees.