Commonwealth-supported places (CSP)
Some postgraduate courses have a limited number of CSPs available.
To be eligible, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen (who'll be in Australia for the duration of your study) or an Australian permanent resident (who'll be in Australia for the duration of your study). You must also have sufficient Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) to cover the duration of your study.
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 rest.
Institutions determine their own student contribution level for each unit of study within a range set by the Australian Government. The exceptions are mathematics, science and statistics, identified as national priorities. Student contributions will therefore vary between institutions and courses. The following table shows what the maximum student contribution amounts are for 2011 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 2011 |
|---|---|
| National Priorities (mathematics, statistics, science) |
$0–$4 355 |
| Band 1 (humanities, behavioural science, social studies, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing) |
$0–$5 442 |
| Band 2 (computing, built environment, health, engineering, surveying, agriculture) |
$0–$7 756 |
| Band 3 (law, dentistry, medicine, veterinary science, accounting, administration, economics and commerce) |
$0–$9 080 |
Paying your student contribution
If you're an Australian citizen or the holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa, you can pay your student contributions up front (and receive a 20 per cent discount) or you may request a HECS-HELP loan to pay some or all of your student contributions.
If you're a New Zealand citizen or the holder of an Australian permanent visa (other than an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) you don't have access to a HECS-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 don't have to start repaying your HECS-HELP loan until your income reaches $47,196 (in 2011–12).
Visit www.ato.gov.au or call 13 28 61 for more information about the repayment of HECS-HELP loans.
