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Domestic student fees: Commonwealth supported places, HECS-HELP and repayments

Department of Education (Study Assist); Australian Taxation Office (ATO)Verified Official pages checked daily

Most domestic students at Australian universities study in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP): the government pays part of the fee and the student pays the rest, called the student contribution. Australian citizens can defer the student contribution with a HECS-HELP loan and repay it through the tax system once their income passes the threshold (A$69,528 for 2026–27). Permanent residents and New Zealand citizens can generally get a CSP but cannot use HECS-HELP, so they pay each term up front. International students and temporary visa holders get neither and pay full fees. HELP balances as at 1 June 2025 were reduced by 20% in a one-off cut.

Key facts

What CSP and HECS-HELP are
A Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is a place where the government pays part of your fees; that part is a subsidy you never repay. The rest is the student contribution amount. You can pay it yourself, or use a HECS-HELP loan, which the government pays to your university; you start repaying once your income reaches a set level.1
Who can get HECS-HELP
You must be in a CSP and be an Australian citizen (studying at least part of the course in Australia); a New Zealand Special Category Visa (SCV) holder, or eligible former SCV holder, who meets the long-term residency requirements and studies entirely in Australia; a permanent humanitarian visa holder (or eligible former holder); or a Pacific engagement visa holder. You also need a TFN and a USI, must submit an eCAF by the census date, and must have enough HELP balance and Student Learning Entitlement.1
Permanent residents and New Zealand citizens
Permanent residents and New Zealand citizens can generally get a CSP but cannot use HECS-HELP, so they pay the student contribution to the university up front each term. They must live in Australia for the whole course. Permanent residents can use a HELP loan only for bridging study (to meet Australian requirements for an overseas professional qualification).2
Long-term residency requirements for NZ SCV holders
You first began living in Australia at least 10 years ago, were under 18 at that time and had no spouse or de facto partner; and you have lived in Australia for at least 8 of the 10 years, and 18 months of the 2 years, before applying for the loan. Since 29 June 2023, New Zealand citizens who move from an SCV to permanent residence on the pathway to citizenship can continue to access HELP.2
Temporary visa holders and international students
Temporary visa holders and other international students cannot get a CSP or a HELP loan. They are charged full fees in a full fee-paying place.2
2027 maximum student contribution by field (per EFTSL, one year of full-time study)
Law, accounting, administration, economics, commerce, communications, society and culture: A$18,025. Education, English, mathematics and statistics, nursing, Indigenous and foreign languages, agriculture: A$4,908. Allied health, other health, built environment, computing, visual and performing arts, engineering, surveying, environmental studies, science, pathology: A$9,880. Medicine, dentistry, veterinary science: A$14,046. These apply from 1 January 2027; students who started before 2021 pay grandfathered rates.3
A 2026 example
In 2026 the maximum for English units is A$4,738 per EFTSL, so a unit worth 0.125 EFTSL has a student contribution of A$592 (rounded down). For each unit: the field's maximum amount × the unit's EFTSL value.3
2026–27 repayment thresholds and rates (ATO)
Repayment income of A$69,528 or less: no repayment. A$69,529–A$129,717: 15% of the amount above A$69,528. A$129,718–A$186,050: A$9,028 plus 17% of the amount above A$129,717. A$186,051 and above: 10% of your total repayment income.4
Marginal repayment system (from 2025–26)
From the 2025–26 financial year, repayments are calculated on a marginal basis: only income above the minimum threshold (A$67,000 for 2025–26) is counted (previously a percentage of your whole income). Repayment income includes taxable income, reportable fringe benefits, net investment losses, reportable super contributions and exempt foreign employment income.4
One-off 20% reduction
If you had a HELP balance on 1 June 2025, the ATO automatically reduced it by 20%; you did not need to apply. Most were done by the end of 2025, with complex cases in early 2026. The reduced amount is also restored to your available HELP balance, as a repayment would be.5
Indexation (1 June each year)
On 1 June each year, HELP debt that has been unpaid for more than 11 months is indexed by the lower of CPI and WPI (the wage price index). Indexation was 2.8% on 1 June 2026, 3.2% in 2025 and 4.0% in 2024.6
Census date
The census date is the last day to pay your student contribution, apply for a HELP loan, accept a CSP, or formally withdraw from a unit without incurring a HELP debt. Each university sets its own census dates for each unit and must publish them. If you do not submit your eCAF on or before the census date, you cannot use HELP for that term and your CSP enrolment and subsidy are cancelled.7

Who is this for, and what are the requirements?

How do I do it? Steps and process

  1. Check that the course has Commonwealth supported places

    Most undergraduate courses at public universities have CSPs; only some postgraduate coursework programmes do, and research degrees do not. Check the university website or Course Seeker. If you cannot get a CSP, the place is full fee-paying (citizens can use FEE-HELP).

  2. Check whether your status qualifies

    Check in VEVO whether your visa is temporary or permanent. Citizens can use HECS-HELP; permanent residents and New Zealand citizens generally get a CSP but must pay up front; temporary visa holders pay full fees. If in doubt, ask the university's admissions or enrolment office; the university assesses eligibility.

  3. Get a TFN and a USI

    You cannot apply for HECS-HELP without a TFN and a USI. Get your USI before your first census date.

  4. Submit your eCAF before the census date

    Your university sends you an electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF), where you choose a HECS-HELP loan or paying up front. The eCAF comes only from your university and must be submitted on or before the census date, or you cannot use the loan and your CSP enrolment is cancelled. If you pay up front, pay in full before the census date.

  5. Withdrawing? Do it before the census date

    Withdraw formally through your university's process before the census date so you do not incur a HELP debt or lose fees you have paid. If you withdraw after the census date you still pay. Keep the withdrawal confirmation email.

  6. Repay through your tax return once you are working

    HELP debt is repaid through the tax system. Once your annual repayment income passes the threshold (A$69,528 for 2026–27), the ATO works out your compulsory repayment when you lodge your tax return. You can make voluntary extra repayments to the ATO at any time. Check your balance through ATO online services in myGov or by calling the ATO on 13 28 61.

What documents do I need?

What should I watch out for?

What has changed recently?

Common questions

I am a permanent resident. Can I get HECS-HELP, or only a Commonwealth supported place?

Generally only a CSP. Permanent residents can get a Commonwealth supported place, where the government pays part of the fee, but they cannot use HECS-HELP, so they pay the student contribution to the university up front each term and must live in Australia for the whole course. The only exception is bridging study for an overseas professional qualification. Your university makes the final eligibility decision.

How are university fees calculated for New Zealand citizens in Australia? Can they get HECS-HELP?

New Zealand citizens can generally get a CSP and pay the domestic student contribution, but up front each term without HECS-HELP, and must live in Australia for the whole course. The exception is SCV holders who meet the long-term residency requirements: first living in Australia at least 10 years ago while under 18 and without a partner, plus 8 of the last 10 years and 18 months of the last 2 years in Australia. Since 29 June 2023, NZ citizens moving from an SCV to PR on the citizenship pathway keep access to HELP.

How much does a domestic student pay per year? How different are business and nursing?

It depends on the field. From 2027 the maximum student contribution per EFTSL (one year of full-time study) is A$18,025 for law, accounting, commerce, communications and society and culture; A$4,908 for education, English, mathematics, nursing, languages and agriculture; A$9,880 for allied health, computing, engineering and science; and A$14,046 for medicine, dentistry and veterinary science. So business is capped at A$18,025 and nursing at A$4,908. Each unit costs the field maximum multiplied by its EFTSL value.

When do I start repaying my HECS debt? What is the 2026–27 repayment threshold?

You repay through the tax system once your annual repayment income passes the threshold, which is A$69,528 for 2026–27. Income of A$69,528 or less: nothing. A$69,529–A$129,717: 15% of the amount above A$69,528. A$129,718–A$186,050: A$9,028 plus 17% of the amount above A$129,717. A$186,051 and above: 10% of total repayment income. The ATO calculates it when you lodge your tax return; you can also make voluntary repayments.

What is the 20% HECS debt cut? Do I need to apply for it?

No application is needed. If you had a HELP balance on 1 June 2025, the ATO automatically reduced it by 20% and sent you a notice. Most reductions were completed by the end of 2025, with complex cases in early 2026. The reduced amount is also restored to your available HELP balance. It was a one-off measure; new debt after that date is not reduced.

How much is HECS indexation on 1 June each year?

It was 2.8% on 1 June 2026, 3.2% in 2025 and 4.0% in 2024. On 1 June each year, HELP debt unpaid for more than 11 months is indexed by the lower of CPI and WPI, the wage price index. To reduce the amount indexed, you can make a voluntary repayment before 1 June, but voluntary repayments do not replace that year's compulsory repayment.

If I withdraw from a unit before the census date, do I still pay for it?

No. The census date is the last day to pay your student contribution, apply for a HELP loan, accept a CSP, or formally withdraw without incurring a HELP debt. Withdraw through your university's formal process before the census date and you will not owe anything or lose fees you have paid. If you withdraw after the census date you still pay. Census dates differ by university and unit, so check the website or student portal and keep your withdrawal confirmation.

I was an international student and now have PR. Can I pay domestic fees?

You can ask your university to transfer you to a Commonwealth supported place and pay the domestic student contribution, but whether the course has CSPs and how to transfer depends on the university, which assesses eligibility. Check in VEVO that your visa is now permanent. Note that permanent residents with a CSP still cannot use HECS-HELP: you pay up front each term and must live in Australia for the whole course.

Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.

Where can I check the official information?

  1. HECS-HELPDepartment of Education (Study Assist) · studyassist.gov.au
  2. Loan eligibility – Non-Australian citizensDepartment of Education (Study Assist) · studyassist.gov.au
  3. Student contribution amountsDepartment of Education (Study Assist) · studyassist.gov.au
  4. Study and training loan repayment thresholds and ratesAustralian Taxation Office · ato.gov.au
  5. 20% reduction of HELP debts (news, 24 November 2025)Department of Education (Study Assist) · studyassist.gov.au
  6. Loan increases and indexationDepartment of Education (Study Assist) · studyassist.gov.au
  7. Loan deadlines (census date)Department of Education (Study Assist) · studyassist.gov.au

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