If you are unable to continue your study because of an issue beyond your control, you may be able to have your Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt remitted or reversed due to ‘special circumstances’.

What's on this page

What are special circumstances?

To meet the special circumstances criteria, you need to show that the issue that affected you:

  • was beyond your control

  • did not fully impact you until on or after the census date(s) of the unit(s), and

  • made it impracticable for you to complete the unit(s).

What are not special circumstances?

Your HELP debt will not be cancelled:

  • for any units you successfully completed.
  • if you withdraw from study after the census date because you changed your mind.

How do I apply for special circumstances?

You apply for special circumstances directly with your higher education provider.

The special circumstances criteria is written in legislation and each provider must assess your application in line with the legal requirements.

It is very important that the evidence you provide demonstrates that you clearly meet all the criteria.

Your provider will have their own forms and processes to manage applications for special circumstances.

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Additional information

Information on your provider’s special circumstances forms and processes will be available on their website and may also be available in your student portal. 

If you are unable to locate the relevant information speak to your provider.

What is the timeframe to submit a special circumstances request?

You must submit your application to your provider within 12 months of your withdrawal day of the unit(s).

If you didn't officially withdraw, your application must be made within 12 months after you undertook (or were to undertake) the unit.

Your provider may give you more time if it was not possible for you to apply within 12 months. You will need to provide evidence why you were unable to submit your application in the timeframe.

Can I appeal the decision?

If you are unhappy with your higher education provider's decision, you can apply for an internal review. This must be done in writing within 28 days of receiving the decision.

If you are not satisfied with your provider’s internal review decision, you can apply for an external review from the Administrative Review Tribunal. Again, there is a 28 day time frame to apply for an external review after you receive the internal review decision.

How can I check if my debt has been cancelled?

You can log in to myHELPbalance to view your HELP loans history. These are the HELP loans reported by your provider, including any remitted or reversed loans.

You can also view your HELP debt (how much you owe) in the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) online services in your myGov account.

Special circumstances recap

  1. Step 1

    Locate your provider’s process for consideration of special circumstances.

  2. Step 2

    Complete your provider’s application form and submit it to your provider with supporting evidence.

  3. Step 3

    Your provider will review your request and advise you of the outcome.

  4. Step 4

    If your provider has rejected your request, you can request an internal review. 

  5. Step 5

    If this internal review does not change the decision then you can make an application to the ART.

  6. Step 6

    However, if your provider accepts your application in step 3, your HELP debt for the relevant units will be reversed. 

  7. Step 7

    Your provider will advise you when this reversal or cancellation of debt has been completed.

  8. Step 8

    Log in to myHELPbalance to confirm that the HELP debt related to the relevant units has been reversed.