What is HECS-HELP?
Types of HECS-HELP assistance
Who is eligible for HECS-HELP?
Additional requirements for HECS-HELP
Paying your student contribution
HECS-HELP discount
Information booklet
Request for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELP form
Closing date for requesting HECS-HELP
HECS-HELP eligibility: existing debts, income and assets
Loan fees, interest and indexation
Repaying your HECS-HELP debt
Further assistance
HECS-HELP is a loan available to eligible students enrolled in Commonwealth supported places. A HECS-HELP loan will cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
If you receive a HECS-HELP loan, the Australian Government pays the loan amount directly to your higher education provider (provider) on your behalf. A HECS-HELP debt is recorded for you with the Tax Office against your Tax File Number.
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There are two types of HECS-HELP assistance available to eligible Commonwealth supported students. If you are eligible, you may access both the HECS-HELP loan and the discount to pay your student contribution.
The following table describes the types of HECS-HELP assistance.
| Type |
Description |
| HECS-HELP loan |
A loan for your student contribution, where:
- the Australian Government pays part or all of your student contribution to your provider on your behalf
- a HECS-HELP debt is recorded for you with the Tax Office
See also: The Australian Tax Office and - you start repaying your HELP debt when your repayment income is above the minimum threshold for compulsory repayment.
See also: Loan repayments
|
| HECS-HELP discount |
A discount on your student contribution payment amount where:
- you pay all, or at least $500, of your student contribution amount up front and
- receive a 20 per cent discount on the amount paid up front.
|
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You are eligible for HECS-HELP if you are a Commonwealth supported student and
See also:
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To receive HECS-HELP assistance for a unit of study, you must meet all the following requirements. You have
- paid your full student contribution amount up front, or provided your Tax File Number (TFN) by the census date
Note: You should apply to the Tax Office to obtain a TFN.
- completed, signed and submitted a Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP form, by the census date.
See also :
Being eligible and Student Learning Entitlement
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If you are eligible for HECS-HELP, you may pay your student contribution in three different ways:
- pay all of your student contribution amount up front and get a 20 per cent discount
- receive a HECS-HELP loan for the full student contribution amount or
- pay some of your student contribution up front and receive a HECS-HELP loan for the remainder of your contribution and get a 20 per cent discount for payments over $500.
If you are not eligible for HECS-HELP, you are required to pay your full student contribution amount up front without a discount.
See also:
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If you are eligible for HECS-HELP and you choose to pay all, or at least $500, of your student contribution amount up front, then you will receive a 20 per cent discount on the amount paid up front.
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Your provider will give you the current Information for Commonwealth supported students booklet. The booklet contains essential information for Commonwealth supported students, including information on HECS-HELP. You can also obtain a copy by calling the Student Enquiry Line on 1800 020 108 or +61 3 9938 2545 from outside Australia. For more information see the
Publications page.
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If you are requesting HECS-HELP assistance, you must complete the section on HECS-HELP in the Request for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELP form.
You must read the Information for Commonwealth supported students booklet before you sign your form for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELP.
You can only obtain a copy of the Request for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELP form from your provider.
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The census date for your units of study is the closing date for requesting HECS-HELP assistance.
See also :
Important dates: census dates
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Your eligibility for HECS-HELP will not be affected by:
- any existing HECS or HELP debt or
- your income or assets. However, your income will determine when you will be required to begin repaying your HECS-HELP debt.
See also:
Loan repayments
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There are no loan fees charged on HECS-HELP loans. All HECS-HELP loans are indexed each year to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) but are otherwise interest free.
See also: Interest and indexation
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From 2006, your HECS-HELP debt will be added to your accumulated HELP debt and can be repaid by making:
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See
Questions and Feedback for how to obtain further assistance.
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