All Commonwealth supported students pay a student contribution amount.
For details of charges, discounts and eligibility for HECS-HELP assistance refer to: 2013 Student Contribution Amount and General information for Commonwealth supported students.
What is HECS-HELP?
HECS-HELP is a government scheme that enables eligible students to pay their student contribution amount. There are two forms of HECS-HELP assistance available for eligible students:
HECS-HELP discount: If you pay all, or at least $500, of your student contribution amount by the relevant due date you will receive a 10% discount on the amount you pay. The HECS-HELP discount is only available to eligible students, ie Australian citizens and students holding a permanent humanitarian visa.
HECS-HELP Loan: This is a loan from the Australian Government for all or part of your student contribution amount. The loan amount is recorded with your Tax details by the Australian Tax Office (ATO). The ATO will be notified of the debt you have incurred at each topic census date.
You do not need to start repaying your HECS-HELP debt until your income is above the minimum threshold for compulsory repayment. In the 2012-2013 tax year the income threshold is $49,095. You may also make voluntary repayments direct to the ATO.
The Information for Commonwealth Supported Students Booklet 2013 (PDF 2MB) details your responsibilities as a student accepting a Commonwealth supported place and a HECS-HELP loan.
How do I receive HECS-HELP assistance?
You must complete a Commonwealth Assistance Form (CAF) prior to enrolling. If you are eligible for HECS-HELP assistance and wish to obtain a HECS-HELP loan you must have supplied a Tax File Number (TFN) on your CAF.
Provided you have supplied your TFN, the ATO will be notified of any student contribution amount that remains unpaid after the relevant due date.
What if I did not supply a tax file number (TFN) on my CAF?
A tax file number is required if you wish to obtain a HECS-HELP loan. A CAF can be submitted without a tax file number but you must supply the University with the details no later than the census date. Contact Student Finance Services for further information.
If you do not supply a tax file number to the University then you will be unable to obtain a HECS-HELP loan and will be charged an up-front student contribution amount.
Note: If your student contribution amount remains unpaid after the relevant due date your enrolment will be cancelled.
Further Information
See the Australian Government Study Assist website for further HECS-HELP information.
