Higher education students may be eligible for a Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loan from the Australian Government to help pay for the cost of their study now, that they will repay later.
What's on this page
What is a study loan?
When you attend an approved higher education provider, you may be eligible for HELP loan to help pay for the cost of your study.
The HELP loan is provided by the Australian Government and needs to be paid back through the Australian tax system once you start earning above the compulsory threshold amount. If your annual income is less than this amount, you do not need to make repayments.
Your HELP loan will be affected by indexation. Indexation is like interest and will be applied to your HELP loan debts that are older than 11 months on 1 June each year.
For more information, see the indexation and loan increases page.
What study loans are available?
There are 5 different types of HELP loans available to students. Each of the loans have a specific purpose and different eligibility criteria.
Loans for tuition fees
HECS-HELP
A HECS-HELP loan (also known as HECS) is available to eligible students to pay the student contribution amount if you are enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) at a university or higher education provider. A HECS-HELP loan may only be used to pay the student contribution amount and is paid directly to your provider by the government. If you are not studying in a CSP, you may be eligible for another type of HELP loan – a FEE-HELP loan.
FEE-HELP
A FEE-HELP loan is available to pay your tuition fees if you are enrolled in a full fee-paying place (not a Commonwealth supported place) at your provider. A FEE-HELP loan may only be used to pay for your tuition fees and is paid directly to your provider by the government.
Accelerator Program
STARTUP-HELP
When you attend university and participate in a Startup Year course, you might be eligible for a STARTUP-HELP loan. This loan is used to help you pay the course fees for a Startup Year course and is paid directly to your provider by the government.
Other types of student loans
SA-HELP
Student services and amenities fee loan
Separate to your tuition fees, each semester you may have to pay a fee for student services and amenities. A SA-HELP loan can be used to pay this student services and amenities fee and is paid directly to your provider by the government.
OS-HELP
Overseas study loan
If you are enrolled in a CSP and want to study part of your course overseas, an OS-HELP loan can help pay your expenses while you are based overseas. The loan can be used for a range of expenses, such as airfares, accommodation and other travel or study costs and will be paid to you directly.
HELP Publications
Information on each of the HELP loans is available in the relevant HELP publication.
Eligibility for a study loan
Different eligibility criteria apply to the different HELP loans.
How to apply for a study loan
To apply for a HELP loan you must submit a request for Commonwealth assistance via an electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) by the census date. eCAFs are only available from your higher education provider. Further information on the application process and eCAF is available on the application process page.
Useful links and resources
Find out more about the electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) you must complete to access government financial assistance.
For more information about census dates, visit our loan deadlines page.
Who will assess your eligibility for a study loan
Your provider will assess your eligibility for a HELP loan. If you have any questions about your individual eligibility circumstances you should speak directly to your provider.
Useful links and resources
For an overview of important deadlines and definitions of key terms, visit our key dates and terminology page.