The government offers a range of Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) schemes to support Australian students pursuing higher education.
Applying for a HELP loan to defer your tuition fees is a great way to cover the upfront costs of a university course.
Some universities and approved higher education providers also have a number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs), where the Australian Government covers a portion of your tuition fees.
Here's what prospective students need to know about the available HELP schemes, including eligibility and how to apply.
What are the government-supported schemes?
Loans and financial assistance
- HECS-HELP – To help Commonwealth-supported students cover their student contribution.
- FEE-HELP – To help full fee-paying students cover their fees.
- SA-HELP – To pay for student services and amenities.
- OS-HELP – For Commonwealth-supported students studying overseas.
- STARTUP-HELP – To help pay the tuition fees for a Startup Year course.
Government subsidy
- Commonwealth supported places (CSPs)
FEE-HELP
What is FEE-HELP?
Provided by the Australian Government, FEE-HELP is a loan scheme for eligible higher education students to pay for part or all of their tuition fees.
How does FEE-HELP work?
FEE-HELP loans can only be used to pay for tuition fees. You cannot use a FEE-HELP loan to cover other costs associated with studying such as accommodation, textbooks or laptops.
FEE-HELP borrowing limit
For most students in 2025, the highest amount that can be borrowed under any HELP loan scheme is $126,839. If you have previously used a HELP scheme to pay for previous study, such as an undergraduate degree, you should check your available balance to see if you can take out another loan.
FEE-HELP repayment obligations
You will start paying back your HELP loan through the taxation system when you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold. For the 2024-25 income year, the threshold is $54,435. The more income you earn, the higher your repayment will be. You can make voluntary repayments at any time to reduce the balance of your HELP loan in addition to your compulsory repayments.
Who is eligible for FEE-HELP?
You must meet the citizenship and residency requirements to get FEE-HELP. This means you must either be:
- an Australian citizen completing at least one unit of your course in Australia
- a New Zealand SVC holder who meets the long-term residency requirements and resides in Australia for the duration of your study
- a permanent visa holder undertaking bridging study for overseas-trained professionals who reside in Australia for the duration of your study
- a permanent humanitarian visa holder or eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder who resides in Australia for the duration of your study
You must also:
- meet the TFN (tax file number) requirements
- have available HELP balance
- be correctly enrolled in your course before the census date
How to apply for a FEE-HELP loan
Your university provider will give you instructions to submit your eCAF (electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form) for a FEE-HELP loan before the census date. You will submit the eCAF directly to your university and give them details, including your TFN, Unique Student Identifier (USI), name, date of birth and address. The details you provide on your application must match the information available to the ATO and USI Registry System so your loan can be approved.
What is the difference between FEE-HELP and HECS-HELP?
FEE-HELP and HECS-HELP can both be accessed by students to defer tuition fees. Which loan you are eligible for depends on your chosen university and course. FEE-HELP loans are available for courses where you have a domestic fee-paying place (DFP) whereas you can get a HECS-HELP loan if you are enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP). The main difference is that FEE-HELP loans are mostly relevant for postgraduate students. They are not subsidised by the government and tuition fees are set by universities. HECS-HELP loans are subsidised by the government so students, usually undergraduates, pay a student contribution for the units completed.
A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) offers a subsidised place at an Australian university or an approved higher education provider, where the government covers a portion of the tuition fees. This subsidy does not require repayment. A HECS-HELP loan is used to pay the remaining fees. This is also known as the student contribution amount and must be repaid.
Find out more about CSPs in our detailed guide.
Course prices for 2025
Ready to start a postgraduate degree in 2025? Browse our course catalogue to find a course that interests you and kickstart a new education journey.
- Counselling courses
- Leadership courses
- Mental health courses
- Nursing courses
- Psychology courses
- Public health courses
- Social work courses
Ready to take the next step in your study journey?
Make use of the various Australian government financial support schemes and advance your career with postgraduate study.
GlobalHealth Education’s university partners offer healthcare courses in a range of fields, including social work, public health, counselling, nursing, psychology, leadership and mental health. Speak to our Student Enrolment Advisor for further support on the enrolment process and for information on FEE-HELP and CSP-subsidised postgraduate courses.
