Student contribution amounts
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What is a student contribution amount?
Even though the Australia Government subsidises Commonwealth supported places, students still have to make a payment towards their education and this is known as the ‘student contribution’ amount.
Students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place will either pay their student contributions up-front, or if eligible, can access the HECS-HELP scheme to pay their student contributions.
The Government groups different areas of study into ‘Bands’ and it sets a minimum and maximum range that can be charged on a full-time study load (normally around 8 units per year), for units that fall into the various Bands. This means that higher education providers (providers) set the student contribution amount for each unit of study they offer. It cannot exceed the maximum rate set by the Government, and most providers charge the maximum rate. Table 1 (below) shows the band and ranges for 2012, and Table 2 shows the 2013 band and ranges.
For example, based on the 2012 rates, a three-year education degree undertaken as a Commonwealth supported student would have a student contribution amount of around $16,944 for that duration if all the units in that course were classified as Band 1.
| Student contribution band | 2012 Student contribution range (per EFTSL) |
|---|---|
| Band 3: Law, dentistry, medicine, veterinary science, accounting, administration, economics, commerce (see note 1) | $0 - $9,425 |
| Band 2: Computing, built environment, other health, Allied health, engineering, surveying, agriculture | $0 - $8,050 |
| Band 1: Humanities, behavioural science, social studies, education, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing (see notes 2 and 4) | $0 – $5,648 |
| National priorities: Mathematics, statistics and science (see notes 3 and 4) | $0 – $4,520 |
NOTES:
- If you began your course as a Commonwealth supported student before 1 January 2008, you may be charged less than the maximum amount in Table 1 for units in accounting, administration, economics and commerce.
- If you began your course as a Commonwealth supported student before 1 January 2010, you may be charged less than the maximum amount in Table 1 for units in education and nursing.
- If you began your course before 1 January 2009, you may be charged more than the current National Priority Band rate in Table 1 for units in mathematics, statistics and science.
- If you are a mathematics, science, education, nursing or midwifery graduate you may be eligible for a HECS-HELP Benefit.
You should bear in mind that individual units in a course can be classified in different bands. For example, a Bachelor of Nursing course may require some units that are classified as 'health' and some as 'nursing'. Your provider can set the student contribution amounts for the health units up to the maximum for Band 2 and for the nursing units up to the maximum for Band 1.
Return to top| Student contribution band | 2013 Student contribution range (per EFTSL) |
|---|---|
| Band 3: Law, accounting, administration, economics, commerce, dentistry, medicine, veterinary science | $0 - $9,792 |
| Band 2: Mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture | $0 - $8,363 |
| Band 1: Humanities, behavioural science, social studies, education (see Notes), clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, nursing (see Notes) | $0 – $5,868 |
NOTES:
From 1 January 2013, all students enrolled in accounting, administration, economic and commerce units can be charged the Band 3 rate and all students enrolled in mathematics, statistics and science units of study can be charged the Band 2 rate.
- For pre-2010 students, the maximum annual student contribution amount that may be charged for Education and Nursing units is $4,696.
- From 1 January 2010, the maximum annual student contribution amount for commencing Commonwealth supported students undertaking Education and Nursing units of study has been increased from the 'national priority' rate to the Band 1 rate.
- The increased maximum annual student contribution amounts affect only students who commence their course of study at a higher education provider on or after 1 January 2010.
- If you are a mathematics, science, education, nursing or midwifery graduate you may be eligible for a HECS-HELP Benefit.
How can I work out my student contribution amount?
Remember, the ranges in Tables 1 and 2 are based upon a student being enrolled full-time (normally 8 units per year), which is why you need to know what the equivalent full-time study load (EFTSL) value of your unit is so that you can use the formula below to work out how much you will need to pay for each unit.
How do I calculate the student contribution amount for an individual unit?
The amount will depend on:
- the minimum and maximum range set by the Government for the student contribution band that your unit fits into;
- the weight of the unit – i.e. its equivalent full-time student load value (check with your provider if you don't know the EFTSL value of your units); and
- the year you began your course of study.
Your student contribution amount for a unit of study is calculated as:
(Student contribution set by provider) xmultiplied by (EFTSL value of unit) =equals the amount you have to pay for the unit.
Henry has enrolled in History A01 as part of his Bachelor of Arts. Henry's provider has set the student contribution for history units at $5,000 per EFTSL. The EFTSL value for History A01 is 0.125.Return to top
Student contribution amount =equals $5,000 xmultiplied by 0.125.
Henry's student contribution amount for History A01 is $625
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