Student Contributions
How much do I contribute?
The University determines the amount you contribute for each course, within ranges set by the Australian Government. The range that applies to a course depends on the student contribution band in which the course is classified. Your student contribution will also depend on the weight of the course (the equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL) value of the course) within your program of study.
The band and EFTSL information is available to you on the course information page under Fee information for this course.
The maximum student contribution that can be charged by the University also depends on when you began your program of study or first became a commonwealth supported student. For further information please see Information for Commonwealth supported students who commenced their program prior to certain dates.
The University classifies each course to one of the student contribution bands. Not all courses in a given program are necessarily in the same student contribution band.
As per the Australian Government guidelines, the student contribution amounts for 2012 are:
| National priorities | Mathematics, statistics, science | $4,520 |
|---|---|---|
|
Band 1 |
Humanities, behavioural science, social studies, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, clinical psychology, nursing and education | $5,648 |
| Band 2 | Computing, built environment, health, engineering, surveying, agriculture | $8,050 |
| Band 3 | Law, dentistry, medicine, veterinary science, accounting, administration, economics, commerce | $9,425
|
Note: these amounts are for 1 EFTSL in 2012
As per the Australian Government guidelines, the student contribution amounts for 2011 are:
| National priorities | Mathematics, statistics, science | $4,355 |
|---|---|---|
|
Band 1 |
Humanities, behavioural science, social studies, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, clinical psychology, nursing and education | $5,442 |
| Band 2 | Computing, built environment, health, engineering, surveying, agriculture | $7,756 |
| Band 3 | Law, dentistry, medicine, veterinary science, accounting, administration, economics, commerce | $9,080
|
Note: these amounts are for 1 EFTSL in 2011
As per the Australian Government guidelines, the student contribution amounts for 2010 are:
| National priorities | Mathematics, statistics, science | $4,249 |
|---|---|---|
|
Band 1 |
Humanities, behavioural science, social studies, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, clinical psychology, nursing and education | $5,310 |
| Band 2 | Computing, built environment, health, engineering, surveying, agriculture | $7,567 |
| Band 3 | Law, dentistry, medicine, veterinary science, accounting, administration, economics, commerce | $8,859
|
Note: these amounts are for 1 EFTSL in 2010
As per the Australian Government guidelines, the student contribution amounts for 2009 are:
| National priorities | Nursing, Education, Mathematics, statistics, science | $4,077 |
|---|---|---|
|
Band 1 |
Humanities, behavioural science, social studies, foreign languages, visual and performing arts | $5,201 |
|
Band 2 |
Computing, built environment, health, engineering, surveying, agriculture | $7,412 |
| Band 3 | Law, dentistry, medicine, veterinary science, accounting, administration, economics, commerce | $8,677 |
Note: these amounts are for 1 EFTSL in 2009
As per the Australian Government guidelines, the student contribution amounts for 2008 are:
| National priorities | Nursing, Education | $4,077 |
|---|---|---|
|
Band 1 |
Humanities, behavioural science, social studies, foreign languages, visual and performing arts | $5,095 |
|
Band 2 |
Mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, health, engineering, science, surveying, agriculture | $7,260 |
| Band 3 | Law, accounting, commerce, administration, economics, dentistry, medicine, veterinary science | $8,499 |
Note: these amounts are for 1 EFTSL in 2008
How do I pay my student contribution?
The options available for paying your student contribution will depend on your eligibility for HECS-HELP. HECS-HELP covers:
- a 10% discount for full up front payments (or partial up front payments of $500 or more)
- a loan for all or part of your student contribution
Please note: From 1 January 2012,
the Australian Government has lowered the HECS-HELP discount, applied to
up-front student contribution payments of $500 or more, from 20 per cent to
10 per cent.
Holders of other permanent visas and New Zealand citizens
If you are the holder of a permanent visa (other than a permanent humanitarian visa) or a New Zealand citizen, you are required to pay your student contribution up front, in full, to the University on or before the census date. You are not eligible for HECS-HELP. Please see the Information for Permanent Residents and New Zealand citizens page.
Can I make voluntary repayments?
Yes. You can make a voluntary repayment to the Tax Office at any time and for any amount. Making a voluntary repayment reduces your debt immediately. However, you may still have to make a compulsory repayment, if after making a voluntary repayment:
- you still have an accumulated HELP debt
- your repayment income is above the minimum repayment
threshold.
Voluntary repayments are in addition to compulsory repayments. They are not refundable.
For further information about voluntary payments visit the Study Assist website.
Can I change my payment option?
You can change your HECS-HELP payment option during your enrolment (on or before the census date for a course).
As an Australian citizen or the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa, you are required to complete the section of the Request for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELP form that asks for an Indication of payment option. When you complete this section of the form, you are only advising the University how you intend to pay your student contribution. Your actual payment option is determined at the end of the census date for each course on the basis of any up front payments you have made to the University on or before the census date.
For example, if you previously chose to obtain a HECS-HELP loan for your entire student contribution, but now wish to make an up front payment, there is no need to fill out another form. Simply make the payment to the University on or before the census date.
To obtain a HECS-HELP loan you must give your TFN to the University on or before the census date. You risk cancellation of your enrolment if you do not do this.