HECS-HELP

HECS-HELP covers your tuition fees, also known as your student contribution. Applying for HECS-HELP means you are requesting a loan from the Australian Government. The Australian Government pays your tuition fees directly to Deakin to cover your outstanding balance. Once you start earning an income over the HELP repayment threshold, you'll be required to start paying back your loan. The loan doesn’t cover your Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). You can apply for SA-HELP to defer the SSAF fee if you're eligible.

You can apply for HECS-HELP if you’re enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) and would like a Government loan to cover your tuition fees.

You may be eligible for HECS-HELP if you meet one of the following criteria:

• you are an Australian citizen, who studies at least one unit of your course while living in Australia
• you are a New Zealand Special Category Visa (SCV) holder, or an eligible former New Zealand SCV holder, who meets the long-term residency requirements, and who studies your entire course while living in Australia
• you are a permanent humanitarian visa holder, or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder, who studies your entire course while living in Australia
• you are a Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) holder, who studies your entire course while living in Australia.

In addition, you must have an available HELP balance and provide Deakin with the following information before your first census date:

• your Unique Student Identifier (USI)
• your tax file number (TFN) or a certificate of application for a TFN from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

The Australian Government pays your tuition fees directly to Deakin and a HECS-HELP debt is recorded with the ATO. You repay your loan through the tax system – but only once you're earning above the current compulsory repayment threshold. For the 2023-2024 income year this is $51,550. You can either defer the full amount of your tuition fees or choose to pay some of your student contribution upfront and use the loan to defer the remaining balance. You don’t have to use HECS-HELP, and can change your mind at any time.

What happens if I suspend or transfer my studies?

If you temporarily suspend your studies, your HECS-HELP status will remain in place. If you transfer to another course, you'll need to complete a new HECS-HELP form.

What happens if I pay my fees upfront?

If you choose to pay your fees upfront, the full amount of your student contribution will show as owing on your invoice. You can make payments of any amount before the invoice due date. You can also enter your TFN so that if you can't pay your fees by the due date, they'll defer to HECS-HELP.

To apply for HECS-HELP, you must complete a Commonwealth Assistance Form on Deakin’s StudentConnect when you enrol. On the form, you'll either choose to pay your fees upfront or defer. If you defer, your student contributions will be reported through the Department of Education to the ATO so you can start paying your loan back when your income reaches the threshold.