Only some providers offer Commonwealth supported places at the postgraduate level. Most postgraduate courses at universities are offered as fee paying, but you will need to check with your provider to see if it offers Commonwealth supported place for the postgraduate course you intend to study.

*From 1 January 2012, the Australian Government has lowered the
HECS-HELP discount from 20% to 10% for up-front student contribution payments of $500 or more.

To be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan, you must:

be studying in a Commonwealth supported place;
be an Australian citizen or permanent humanitarian visa holder;
enrol with a provider in each unit, by the census date;
read the Information for Commonwealth supported students and HECS-HELP booklet; and
submit a valid Request for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELP form by the census date (or earlier administrative date) to your provider.

What is the difference between
FEE-HELP and HECS-HELP?
HECS-HELP is a loan (or discount for up-front payments)
for eligible Commonwealth supported students
studying at public universities (and some approved private
higher education providers). Commonwealth supported
students study in Commonwealth supported places
which are subsidised by the Government so that students
only pay a student contribution for their units of study.
Most undergraduate students study in Commonwealth
supported places. For more information about
Commonwealth supported places and/or HECS-HELP,
refer to the ‘Thinking about uni?’ brochure or visit
www.goingtouni.gov.au.
FEE-HELP is a loan for eligible domestic fee paying
students. These places are not subsidised by the
Government and tuition fees are set by the approved
providers. FEE-HELP is available at both public
universities and approved FEE-HELP providers.
A loan fee of 25% is applied to FEE-HELP loans for
undergraduate courses of study.