All students who are enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or receiving a Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loan must receive a Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) from their higher education provider.
What is a CAN?
The CAN lists the units of study you are enrolled in for that study period and the Commonwealth assistance you received.
The Commonwealth assistance may be a CSP or a HELP loan.
Who provides my CAN?
Your higher education provider will issue you with your CAN.
Your CAN may be sent to you directly or made available to you in your student portal.
When will my CAN be available?
Your CAN must be provided to you no later than 28 days after the census date.
The census date is the last day you can make an upfront payment, apply for a HELP loan, accept an offer in a CSP or formally withdraw without incurring fees.
Where the CAN applies only to SA-HELP or OS-HELP, it must be issued no later than 28 days after the debt is incurred.
What do I need to do when I receive my CAN?
You should check that the amount listed on your CAN matches the amount that has been added to your HELP debt. You can check this by logging into myGov and reviewing your HELP loan account in ATO Online Services. More information is available at Checking your HELP debt.
What should I do if I identify an error?
If you believe the information on the CAN is incorrect, you may ask the provider, in writing, to correct the CAN. This request needs to be within 14 days of the CAN being given to you.
If your provider does not correct your CAN, you can utilise your provider’s grievance and complaints process. More information is available at Making a complaint.