How and when do I get access to an eCAF?

When you accept your course offer and start your enrolment, your provider will ask how you want to pay for your tuition fees.

You will need to let them know if you want to use a HELP loan to pay for your tuition fees. There will be a fee for each unit of study or subject that you are enrolled in for that study period.

Your provider will then give you access to your eCAF either via a link or via your student portal. You should indicate in your eCAF that you accept a CSP if offered one, and you would like to access a HELP loan to pay the remainder of your fees.

eCAFs are only issued by your higher education provider.

Is there an eCAF deadline?

Yes, there is a deadline you must meet for the submission of your eCAF. This deadline is the census date.

Census date

The census date is the last day you can submit your eCAF to apply for a CSP and/or HELP loan for your course of study.

If you have already submitted your eCAF, and you change your mind about your course, the census date is also the last day you can withdraw from your course and cancel your HELP application without incurring a HELP debt.

Information about your provider’s census date will be in the eCAF and must be published on your provider’s website.

Administrative date

Your provider may set an administrative date that is before the census date. This is your provider’s deadline for you to complete certain requirements such as submitting forms or finalising payments.

Your provider must still allow you to submit your eCAF on or before the census date.

What if I miss the eCAF deadline?

The census date is required by legislation and your provider cannot give you an extension.

If you have not submitted your eCAF by the census date, you cannot access a CSP and/or HELP loan for your current study period. You must pay your tuition fees upfront to your provider.

If you were offered a CSP and did not submit your eCAF or pay your fees upfront to your provider by the census date, you will lose your CSP and your enrolment will be cancelled.

What personal information do I need to complete an eCAF?

You will need your Unique Student Identifier (USI) if you are applying for a CSP and your tax file number (TFN) if you are applying for a HELP loan.

The personal information you provide in your enrolment, which will be used to populate your eCAF, must be the same information you used to apply for your TFN and USI.

You will need to update your personal information linked to your TFN and USI if it has changed. This allows your higher education provider to verify your TFN and USI and confirm your eligibility to access Commonwealth assistance.

What does it mean to submit an eCAF and request a HELP loan?

It is important you understand that by signing and submitting an eCAF, you are agreeing to a HELP loan from the government that must be repaid, and is likely to grow over time due to indexation.

It is important you understand the terms and conditions of the HELP loan. By signing your eCAF, you are declaring that you have read the form and the HELP information booklet.

It is also important to consider your own financial circumstances, as having a HELP debt can be considered when trying to access personal loans, like a house or car loan.