What is FEE-HELP

Eligibility for FEE-HELP

To apply for FEE-HELP, there are several eligibility criteria that students must meet. These include:

Citizenship and residency requirements

• You must be an Australian citizen or hold a permanent humanitarian visa to be eligible for FEE-HELP.
• New Zealand citizens are generally not eligible for FEE-HELP, although some exceptions apply.

Course and degree requirements

• You must be enrolled in an eligible higher education course at a recognised institution like Torrens University. Generally, this includes includes undergraduate and postgraduate programs that are not subsidised under the HECS-HELP scheme - a different, government-funded scheme.
• The course must be offered by an accredited institution, and you must be enrolled in a course that leads to a qualification eligible for FEE-HELP assistance.

These eligibility criteria ensure that FEE-HELP is available to those who meet the necessary legal and educational requirements. To confirm eligibility, always check with your university or course provider.

How to apply for FEE-HELP?

The process of applying for FEE-HELP is straightforward, and it is typically done through your university during the enrolment process. Below are the general steps for applying:

1. Confirm your eligibility: Before applying, check that you meet the citizenship, residency, and course requirements for FEE-HELP.
2. Let your university know that you intend to apply for FEE-HELP: During enrolment, you will be asked if you intend to use FEE-HELP. If you did not indicate that you want FEE-HELP when you enrolled, contact your university to let them know.
3. Log in to the government portal: You will get an email with instructions to log in to the government’s eCAF portal and begin your application. You may be required to provide identification documents, such as proof of citizenship or residency status, to confirm your eligibility.
4. Submit your application: Do this via the government's eCAF portal. Remember to submit your application before your first census date.
5. Loan confirmation: After your application is submitted, the university will assess whether you meet the eligibility requirements. If approved, your tuition fees will be deferred to your FEE-HELP loan, and you'll receive a loan confirmation.

It’s important to remember that you can only use FEE-HELP to pay for your tuition fees. Other costs like accommodation, textbooks, or materials are not covered by this loan scheme.

How much is the FEE-HELP repayment?

Repaying a FEE-HELP loan occurs after you finish your studies and start earning the minimum income level. These are the key points to understand about FEE-HELP repayment:

1. Repayment threshold: FEE-HELP loans are repaid through the Australian tax system. The repayment begins once your income exceeds a certain threshold, which for the 2024-2025 financial year is set at $54,435. If you earn above this amount, you will be required to begin repaying your loan.
2. Repayment rates: The repayment rate is based on your income and ranges from 1% to 10% of your income. The more you earn, the higher the percentage you will repay. These rates are reviewed annually.
3. Voluntary repayments: You can also choose to make voluntary repayments toward your FEE-HELP loan at any time. Voluntary repayments can reduce the total loan balance and the amount you pay over time.
4. Loan indexation: Your FEE-HELP loan balance will be indexed annually in line with inflation. This means that the value of the loan doesn’t diminish over time, meaning you may owe more every year due to the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Repaying your loan is done through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), who will automatically deduct repayments from your income if you earn above the required threshold.

What is the difference between FEE-HELP and HECS-HELP?

Both FEE-HELP and HECS-HELP are government loan schemes designed to assist students with funding their education. Here are the key differences between HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP:

Eligibility

HECS-HELP is generally for students enrolled in Commonwealth-supported places (CSP) at eligible universities. The Australian government covers a portion of your tuition fees, and HECS-HELP is used to cover the remaining balance.

FEE-HELP is for students enrolled in full-fee paying courses, where the government does not provide any subsidies for the tuition fees. FEE-HELP covers the entire cost of tuition fees for eligible students.

Repayment Conditions

Both loans are repaid through the tax system once your income exceeds the minimum repayment threshold. Students in CSPs typically have a higher portion of their fees covered by the government, so their portion of the repayment is lower.

At Torrens University, students enrolled in full-fee paying courses use FEE-HELP. If you are interested in studying with us, FEE-HELP can make education more affordable by providing a loan that is paid back based on your future income.

For most students, the FEE-HELP loan limit is $121,844 (there is a higher limit for some approved courses), and indexation does not count towards your FEE-HELP limit. There is a 20% FEE-HELP loan fee applied to some undergraduate studies. Torrens University students may be exempt from this fee.

FEE-HELP can help alleviate the financial burden of study, giving you the flexibility to repay your loan once you are earning an adequate income. If you're considering studying, FEE-HELP is an excellent option to finance your education without worrying about immediate costs.

Last Updated: May 2025

Up-to-date information on the FEE-HELP loan limit can be found on Study Assist.