The Australian Government is phasing out places in undergraduate domestic fee-paying (DFEE) courses from 1 January 2009. Therefore there are no DFEE courses available for 2009 admissions.* All courses available in 2009 are Commonwealth-supported place (CSP) courses. * There are some exceptions, including arrangements for continuing and deferred students, for students who enrol in employer-reserved places, and for students who have consumed their Student Learning Entitlement (SLE). |
CSP courses used to be called HECS courses - you only have to pay part of the cost of your course (a student contribution). The Australian Government pays the remainder of the cost.
The amount you pay for your student contribution depends on the institution and the type of course. Each institution sets its own student contribution level for each unit of study within a range set by the Australian Government. The range varies depending on the area of study. Education and nursing have the lowest cost range because these areas of study have been identified by the Government as national priorities.
The following table shows the range of student contributions 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 (mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, health, engineering, science, surveying, agriculture) |
$0 - $7 260 |
| Band 3 (law, dentistry, medicine, veterinary science, accounting, administration, economics, commerce) |
$0 - $8 499 |
The course search lists all CSP courses available and the relevant 2008 UAI cut-off for each course.
Repayments for HECS-HELP loans are based on income and are made through the taxation system. Students do not have to start repaying their HECS-HELP loan until their income reaches a certain level ($39 824 for 2007-08).
New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian permanent resident visa (other than an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) do NOT have access to HECS-HELP loans and must pay all of the student contribution up front (with no discount).
Institutions will publish their student contributions for 2009 admissions on their websites in October 2008.
For more information about HECS-HELP loans visit www.goingtouni.gov.au.
^topCentrelink provides financial assistance for students studying full-time and part-time. The following information is correct as of April 2008. Contact Centrelink directly for the most up-to-date information.
Did you know that if you are studying full-time or part-time you may be eligible for financial assistance? Centrelink provides assistance to students by way of income tested schemes such as Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY and Austudy. General information about the range of Centrelink payments available to students is given below. Full details of the schemes are available from Centrelink.
Youth Allowance provides assistance for people aged 16 to 24 who are studying full-time in an approved course.
Students are usually considered dependents of their parents and the rate of Youth Allowance paid is based on the application of the Parental Means Test. It is possible for a student to be classified as independent, which means that their parent's financial situation is not taken into account.
How to apply
Information about Youth Allowance or Austudy, including payment rates, and claim forms can be found at www.centrelink.gov.au. You can also register for online services and claim online if you are planning to study full-time. For more information, phone Centrelink on 13 2490. There are lots of things that can affect your payments so let Centrelink know when your situation changes.
Austudy provides assistance to full-time students aged 25 and older who are undertaking an approved course. All such students are automatically considered independent, therefore the application of the Parental Income Test is not necessary. There is a partner and personal income and asset test.
How to apply
Information about Youth Allowance or Austudy, including payment rates, and claim forms can be found at www.centrelink.gov.au. You can also register for online services and claim online if you are planning to study full-time. For more information, phone Centrelink on 13 2490. There are lots of things that can affect your payments so let Centrelink know when your situation changes.
The Pensioner Education Supplement is designed to assist people to improve their chances of finding a job through study. To receive the Pensioner Education Supplement you must be enrolled in an approved course and receive specific Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs payments.
For more information, phone Centrelink on 13 24 90.
ABSTUDY helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who want to stay at school or go on to further studies, as well as offering assistance to eligible apprentices and trainees.
ABSTUDY is available if you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who undertakes approved full-time or part-time study.
ABSTUDY consists of a fortnightly means tested living allowance as well as additional components to help you with costs associated with study.
There are lots of things that can affect your payments so let Centrelink know when your situation changes. For more information about ABSTUDY, including claim forms, visit www.centrelink.gov.au or phone 13 23 17.
^topAll CS applications and most IES applications are processed centrally though UAC. See below for general information about CS and IES.
The main closing date for CS and IES applications is Tuesday 30 September 2008. The major CS and IES offer round will be in mid-January 2009.
To guarantee that your application will be considered in time for the major round, you must submit it by 30 September 2008. The late closing date for CS and IES applications is Friday 28 November 2008.
For more information read the Equity Scholarships booklet produced by UAC. Booklets are also available from UAC or participating institutions. If you are a 2008 Australian Year 12 student you can obtain a copy of the booklet from your school/TAFE college.
The Commonwealth Scholarships (CS) Programme was introduced by the Australian Government in 2004 to assist students from low socio-economic backgrounds, particularly those from regional or remote areas and Indigenous students, who are Australian citizens or holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas, with costs associated with higher education. These scholarships are exempt from social security income tests and are non-repayable.
There are seven types of CS (payments are indexed annually):
| Type of CS | 2008 value | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (CECS) | $2 162 | Up to four years |
| Ordinary Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship (CAS) | $4 324 | Up to four years |
| CECS – Associate Degree | $2 162 | Up to two years |
| CAS – Associate Degree | $4 324 | Up to two years |
| CECS – Indigenous enabling | $2 162 | Up to one year |
| CAS – Indigenous enabling | $4 324 | Up to one year |
| Indigenous Access Scholarship (IAS) | $4 080 | Once in a lifetime |
CS applications for NSW and ACT institutions are made online through UAC. Visit Equity Scholarships Online.
Institutions allocate CS using their own selection and offer processes, in line with guidelines issued by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
New Scholarships in 2009 The two new scholarships are to be known as National Priority Scholarships and National Accommodation Scholarships and will target students in National Priority courses and students relocating to undertake specialist courses, respectively. Details of the eligibility have not as yet been released, but will be available on the Equity Scholarships Online website as soon as known. |
For more information read the Equity Scholarships booklet produced by UAC. Booklets are also available from UAC or participating institutions. If you are a 2008 Australian Year 12 student you can obtain a copy of the booklet from your school/TAFE college.
Visit DEEWR's website at www.deewr.gov.au for more information about CS, including the Australian Government's guidelines.
NSW and ACT institutions that participate through UAC have their own Equity Scholarship schemes known as Institution Equity Scholarships (IES). The eligibility criteria for IES will vary between institutions and schemes, as will the duration and value of the scholarships.
IES applications for most NSW and ACT institutions are made online through UAC's Equity Scholarships Online.
For more information read the Equity Scholarships booklet produced by UAC. Booklets are also available from UAC or participating institutions. If you are a 2008 Australian Year 12 student you can obtain a copy of the booklet from your school/TAFE college.
^topInstitutions offer a range of merit scholarships. For details, including how to apply, refer to the institution entries on this website.
^topTravel concessions
A travel concession of half the normal adult fare is available
to full-time university students. Ask whether you are eligible for concessions
and how to apply when you enrol.
Employers
Some employers provide financial or study leave assistance by means of cadetships
or other forms of support and sponsorship. These sources of assistance are
sometimes advertised in the media. Some participating institutions may also
provide further information. Refer to institution
entries and the course search
on this website.