Course fees and financial assistance

Course fees Financial assistance Commonwealth-supported places (CSP) Fee-paying students Higher education information

Course fees

Places in postgraduate courses are usually fee-paying, but there are some places available with Commonwealth support. Read Financial assistance below for information on Commonwealth-supported places.

Costs of fee-paying courses vary between institution, faculty, level of study and subject. Refer to the information contained in the course search and, on participating institutions' websites for estimated tuition fees.

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Financial assistance

Financial assistance for postgraduate students is available from the participating institutions - see each institution's entry on this website for more information on assistance available at that institution.

In addition, postgraduate students have access to financial assistance from the Australian Government under the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP). For postgraduate students there are two loans available under HELP, depending on whether you are enrolled in a Commonwealth-supported place or a fee-paying place. These are described below.

Note that different arrangements may apply to those enrolled prior to 1 January 2005.

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Commonwealth-supported places (CSP)

Some postgraduate courses have a limited number of Commonwealth-supported places available for eligible students. Students enrolled as Commonwealth-supported students are required to pay a set amount towards the cost of their course (known as student contributions), with the Australian Government paying the remainder.

Institutions determine their own student contribution level for each unit of study within a range set by the Australian Government. The exceptions are teaching and nursing, identified as national priorities. Student contributions will therefore vary between institutions and courses. The following table shows what the maximum student contribution amounts were for 2008 admissions; these amounts are indexed each year. Amounts are based on a full year of full-time study.

Student contribution band	Student contribution range in 2008
National Priorities (education, nursing)	$0 - $4 077
Band 1 (humanities, arts, behavioural science, social studies, foreign languages, visual and performing arts)	$0 - $5 095
Band 2 (accounting, commerce, administration, economics, mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, health, engineering, science, surveying, agriculture)	$0 - $7 260
Band 3 (law, dentistry, medicine, veterinary science)	$0 - $8 499

If you are an Australian citizen or the holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa, you can pay your student contributions up front (and receive a 20% discount) or you may request a HECS-HELP loan to pay some or all of your student contributions. If you are a New Zealand citizen or the holder of an Australian permanent visa (other than an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) you do not have access to a HELP loan and must pay your student contributions up front (without a discount).

Repayments for all HECS-HELP loans are based on income and are made through the taxation system. You do not have to start repaying your HECS-HELP loan until your income reaches $39 825 in 2007-08.

Check the Australian Taxation Office's website www.ato.gov.au or call 132 861 for more information about the repayment of HECS-HELP loans.

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Fee-paying places

Most of the places in postgraduate courses are fee-paying places. Students enrolled as fee-paying students must pay the entire cost of their course (known as tuition fees).

If you are an Australian citizen or the holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa, you can pay your tuition fees up front or you may request a FEE-HELP loan to pay some or all of your tuition fees. If you are a New Zealand citizen or the holder of an Australian permanent visa (other than an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) you do not have access to a FEE-HELP loan and must pay your tuition fees up front.

FEE-HELP loans can cover up to the full amount of your tuition fees, but the maximum you are able to borrow is $80 000 (or $100 000 for medicine, dentistry or veterinary science students). There is no loan fee attached to FEE-HELP loans for postgraduate students.

Repayments for all FEE-HELP loans are based on income and are made through the taxation system. You do not have to start repaying your FEE-HELP loan until your income reaches $39 825 in 2007-08.

Check the Australian Taxation Office's website www.ato.gov.au or telephone 132 861 for more information about the repayment of FEE-HELP loans.

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Higher education information

The Australian Government introduced the following higher education initiatives on 1 January 2005. For more information check www.backingaustraliasfuture.gov.au.

Student Learning Entitlement (SLE)

A Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) enables students to access a Commonwealth-supported place. All Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or the holders of an Australian permanent resident visa (including an Australian permanent resident humanitarian visa) are eligible to receive an SLE, giving them access to seven years equivalent full-time study in a Commonwealth-supported place.

Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN)

Every Commonwealth-supported student is allocated a Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN). This unique number stays with you throughout your university life, allowing your eligibility for Commonwealth assistance to be facilitated and monitored.

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) is responsible for allocating CHESSNs. When you apply through UAC, DEST will automatically allocate a CHESSN for you. You will then be advised of your CHESSN when you have applied for and been granted Commonwealth assistance.

Higher Education Information Management System (HEIMS)

The web-based Higher Education Information Management System (HEIMS), allows you to access a summary of the Commonwealth assistance provided to you through the myUniAssist website. For more information check www.goingtouni.gov.au.

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