HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, student loans, and scholarships — everything Australian students need to know about funding their education.
Study Assist (Gov) →Browse Courses →The government's income-contingent loan for Commonwealth-supported uni students. You don't repay until you earn above the threshold (~$54K).
HECS Guide →For full-fee domestic students at approved providers. Covers tuition up to the FEE-HELP limit (~$174K lifetime, more for medicine/dentistry).
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Find Scholarships →The Australian Government's official resource for student loans, HECS-HELP, and repayment information.
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Study Books →| Feature | HECS-HELP | FEE-HELP | VET Student Loans | SA-HELP | OS-HELP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What It Covers | Student contribution at CSP unis | Full tuition at approved providers | VET diplomas/advanced diplomas | Student services & amenities fee | Overseas study expenses |
| Who's Eligible | Domestic students in CSP | Domestic students in full-fee places | Domestic VET students at approved RTOs | Any HELP-eligible student | CSP students studying overseas |
| Lifetime Limit | No limit | $174,998 (most); $220,208 (med/dent) | $104,440 (2024) | No separate limit | $8,868 per 6-month period (2024) |
| Loan Fee | None | None (abolished 2020) | 20% loan fee applies | None | None |
| Repayment | Income-contingent via ATO | Income-contingent via ATO | Income-contingent via ATO | Income-contingent via ATO | Income-contingent via ATO |
| Repayment Threshold | $54,435 (2024–25) | $54,435 (2024–25) | $54,435 (2024–25) | $54,435 (2024–25) | $54,435 (2024–25) |
| Indexation | Lower of CPI or WPI | Lower of CPI or WPI | Lower of CPI or WPI | Lower of CPI or WPI | Lower of CPI or WPI |
HECS-HELP (Higher Education Contribution Scheme — Higher Education Loan Program) is the Australian Government's income-contingent student loan scheme for domestic students at Commonwealth-supported university places. You don't pay upfront — the government pays your tuition and you repay through the tax system once your income exceeds the minimum repayment threshold. For 2024–25, repayment starts at $54,435 annual income at a rate of 1%, scaling up to 10% at incomes above $151,201. HECS debts are indexed annually on 1 June — from 2023 onwards, indexation is capped at the lower of CPI or the Wage Price Index (WPI), following the 2023 indexation controversy where CPI hit 7.1%.
The minimum HECS-HELP repayment threshold for the 2024–25 income year is $54,435. If your repayment income (taxable income + fringe benefits + net investment losses + reportable super) is below this, you pay nothing. Repayment rates start at 1% ($544/year) and increase progressively: $54,435–$62,850 = 1%, $62,851–$66,620 = 2%, $66,621–$70,618 = 2.5%… up to 10% for incomes above $151,201. These thresholds are adjusted each year by the ATO based on average weekly earnings.
HECS-HELP covers Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) at universities — the government subsidises your fees and you borrow the 'student contribution' portion. FEE-HELP covers full-fee courses at approved universities and some private providers — there's no government subsidy, so you borrow the full tuition. FEE-HELP has a lifetime limit ($174,998 for most courses in 2024, $220,208 for medicine/dentistry/vet). HECS-HELP has no lifetime limit. Both are repaid through the tax system on the same income-contingent basis. FEE-HELP used to include a 20% loan fee, but this was abolished in 2020.
Yes, but with a cap since 2023. HECS-HELP debt is indexed annually on 1 June. Since the Higher Education Support Amendment (Response to the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report) Act 2023, indexation is capped at the lower of CPI or the Wage Price Index (WPI). For 1 June 2024, indexation was 4.0% (WPI) instead of what would have been 4.7% (CPI). Before this change, the 1 June 2023 indexation of 7.1% (CPI) caused significant public backlash and prompted the reform. Voluntary repayments made before 1 June each year reduce the balance that gets indexed.
No. HECS-HELP is only available to Australian citizens and holders of permanent humanitarian visas studying in Commonwealth Supported Places at Australian universities. New Zealand citizens and permanent residents are not eligible for HECS-HELP (though some NZ citizens may access it under specific long-term residency provisions). International students pay full fees upfront or access their home country's loan schemes (e.g., UK students can use Student Finance England for approved Australian universities). Some Australian universities offer international student scholarships and payment plans as alternatives.
Whether you're starting uni, changing careers, or upskilling — understand your funding options first.
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