How to Apply for HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP in Australia

If you're heading to university in Australia, understanding how to apply for student loans is crucial to getting your finances sorted before you start. Whether you're enrolling in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) or a fee-paying course, knowing the difference between HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP—and how to apply for each—will save you time, stress, and potential missed deadlines. Let's walk through exactly what you need to do.

Understanding HECS-HELP vs FEE-HELP

Before you apply, you need to understand which loan scheme you're eligible for. The type of loan available to you depends on your course and enrolment type.

What is HECS-HELP?

HECS-HELP is a government-subsidised loan that helps you pay your student contribution fees for undergraduate and some postgraduate courses. The key advantage? The government pays part of your fees directly to the university as a subsidy—you don't pay this back. You only repay the student contribution amount you're responsible for, and repayment happens through the tax system once you're earning above the minimum threshold.

To access HECS-HELP, you must be enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). Most domestic Australian undergraduate students are eligible for CSPs, though you'll want to check with your university to confirm your specific program offers this option.

What is FEE-HELP?

FEE-HELP is designed for students in fee-paying places, primarily postgraduate students. Unlike HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP loans are not government-subsidised, meaning universities set their own fees, which can be significantly higher. You'll repay the full amount you borrow through the tax system once your income reaches the minimum threshold.

FEE-HELP is available if you're enrolled in a Domestic Fee-Paying Place (DFP). This is common for postgraduate degrees, professional courses, and some specialist undergraduate programs.

Eligibility Requirements for HECS-HELP

Before you can apply for HECS-HELP, you need to meet several eligibility criteria:

• Enrolment: You must be enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place at an Australian university.
• Citizenship and residency: You must be an Australian citizen or meet specific visa requirements (New Zealand SVC holders, permanent visa holders, or eligible humanitarian visa holders who reside in Australia for the duration of your study).
• Tax File Number (TFN): You must have a TFN or be able to provide a Certificate of Application for a TFN from the ATO.
• Unique Student Identifier (USI): You'll need a USI to complete your application.

If you don't yet have a TFN, don't panic. You can apply for one through the ATO and provide a Certificate of Application for a TFN to your university by the census date. However, once you receive your actual TFN, you must provide it to your university within 21 days or risk losing your HECS-HELP access.

Eligibility Requirements for FEE-HELP

FEE-HELP has slightly different eligibility requirements:

• Citizenship and residency: You must be an Australian citizen, a New Zealand SVC holder meeting long-term residency requirements, a permanent visa holder undertaking bridging study, or an eligible humanitarian visa holder.
• Tax File Number: You must meet TFN requirements.
• Available HELP balance: You must have available HELP balance (a combined limit across all HELP loans).
• Correct enrolment: You must be correctly enrolled in your course before the census date.
• Visa proof: Your provider will need proof of your visa status.

How to Apply for HECS-HELP: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Accept Your University Offer

Once you've received an offer from your chosen university, you'll need to formally accept it. Your university will provide instructions on how to do this through their student portal or via email.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

Before you start the application, make sure you have:

• Your Tax File Number (TFN) or a Certificate of Application for a TFN
• Your Unique Student Identifier (USI)
• Your date of birth
• Your current address

Step 3: Complete the Electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF)

The eCAF is the key document you'll submit to access HECS-HELP. Your university will provide this form—it may come via email or through your student portal. The eCAF is a legal document where you accept the conditions of your Commonwealth Supported Place and indicate whether you want to use HECS-HELP to defer your fees.

When completing the eCAF, you'll need to enter details including your TFN, USI, name, date of birth, and address. Make sure the information you provide matches exactly what the ATO and USI Registry System have on file—any discrepancies could delay approval.

Step 4: Submit Before the Census Date

This is critical: you must submit your eCAF on or before your course's census date. The census date is the final deadline to meet Commonwealth Supported Place and HECS-HELP eligibility requirements. If you miss this date, your enrolment could be cancelled and you'll no longer be eligible for Commonwealth support. Census date deadlines cannot be extended, so mark this date in your calendar immediately.

Your university will tell you when your specific census date is—don't assume it's the same across all courses or semesters.

Step 5: Confirmation and Fee Deferral

Once you've successfully submitted your eCAF by the census date, your tuition fees will be deferred shortly after. This means you won't need to pay upfront; instead, your HECS-HELP debt will be repaid through the tax system once your income reaches the minimum threshold.

How to Apply for FEE-HELP: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Accept Your University Offer

Like HECS-HELP, you'll start by accepting your offer from your university through their application portal.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Prepare the following before you start your FEE-HELP application:

• Your Tax File Number (TFN)
• Your Unique Student Identifier (USI)
• Proof of your visa status
• Your date of birth and current address

Step 3: Complete the eCAF for FEE-HELP

Your university will provide the FEE-HELP eCAF through email or your student portal. Complete it with your TFN, USI, name, date of birth, address, and visa information. Again, ensure all details match your ATO and USI Registry records.

Step 4: Submit Before the Census Date

Submit your FEE-HELP eCAF to your university on or before the census date. Like HECS-HELP, missing this deadline means you won't be eligible for the loan and may face enrolment cancellation.

Step 5: Confirmation

Once approved, your fees will be deferred and you'll repay through the tax system when your income reaches the repayment threshold.

Important Information About Repayment Thresholds

Whether you're on HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP, you only start repaying your loan once your income reaches a minimum threshold. For the 2025–26 income year, this threshold is $67,000. This means if you're earning below this amount, you won't make compulsory repayments.

Repayments are calculated as a percentage of your income above the threshold and are deducted through the tax system automatically—your employer or the ATO will handle this on your behalf.

Common Questions About Applying for HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP

Do I need a Tax File Number before I apply?

You need a TFN to apply for either loan. If you don't have one yet, apply through the ATO immediately and provide a Certificate of Application for a TFN to your university by the census date. Once you receive your actual TFN, you must give it to your university within 21 days.

What's the difference between a Commonwealth Supported Place and a fee-paying place?

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) means the government subsidises part of your fees—this is what you need for HECS-HELP. A Domestic Fee-Paying Place (DFP) means you pay the full fee set by the university—this is what you need for FEE-HELP. Your university will tell you which type of place you have.

Can I apply after the census date?

No. The census date is a hard deadline that cannot be extended. If you miss it, you won't be eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP, and your enrolment may be cancelled. Make sure you know your census date and submit your eCAF well before that date.

What if my details don't match the ATO records?

If there's a discrepancy between what you enter and what the ATO or USI Registry has on file, your application could be delayed or rejected. Before submitting, double-check that your name, date of birth, and address match exactly what's registered with the ATO. If you've recently changed your details, update them with the ATO first.

Can I apply for both HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP?

You can access both loans across different courses, but they share a combined HELP balance limit. If you're studying multiple courses—for example, an undergraduate degree (HECS-HELP) and a postgraduate course (FEE-HELP)—check with your provider about how the balance works across both loans.

When do I start repaying my loan?

You start repaying once your income exceeds the minimum threshold of $67,000 for the 2025–26 income year. Repayment is automatic through the tax system—there's nothing you need to do except ensure your employer or the ATO has your correct details.

Next Steps

Here's what you should do right now:

1. Check your eligibility: Visit your university's website and confirm whether your program offers a Commonwealth Supported Place (for HECS-HELP) or is a fee-paying place (for FEE-HELP).
2. Get your TFN and USI: If you don't have these yet, apply through the ATO (TFN) and the USI Registry (USI) immediately.
3. Find your census date: Contact your university or check your student portal to find your specific census date—this is non-negotiable.
4. Prepare your documents: Gather your TFN, USI, and any other required documents before your university sends the eCAF.
5. Submit your eCAF: Complete and submit your Electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form well before the census date.
6. Confirm receipt: Keep a copy of your submission and check with your university that they've received it successfully.

Getting your student loan sorted early takes the pressure off and lets you focus on preparing for your studies. You've got this!