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HECS-HELP Information

If you are enrolled as a Commonwealth Supported students (previously known as HECS), you may be eligible for HECS-HELP assistance for your student contribution. All Commonwealth Supported students are required to complete a Commonwealth Assistance Form (CAF).

Payment Options


Payment options differ slightly dependent upon when you commenced your studies. Specific details on payment options can be found from the following links:      

HECS-HELP Payment Options

All Commonwealth supported students need to have completed a Commonwealth Assistance Form (CAF) as part of the enrolment process. Students eligible for HECS-HELP will also need to supply a valid Tax File Number (TFN) with their CAF details.

Australian citizens and holders of Australian Permanent Humanitarian visas have the following payment options for each semester or trimester:

  • Option 1 - Up-Front Payment. You can choose to pay your Student Contribution up-front and benefit from a 10% discount. Payment can be made through one of the payment methods, noted on the student bill, by the due date. Payments made after the due date cannot be accepted. If payment is not made by the due date, Option 3 may be available to you.
  • Option 2 - Partial Payment - $500+. Partial payments of $500 or more can be made through one of the payment methods noted on the student bill, by the due date. A 10% discount will apply to partial payments of $500 or more. The remaining balance will be deferred to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) if you have provided the University with a valid Tax File Number (TFN) for your current program.
  • Option 3 - Deferred Payment. If you do not make an up-front or partial payment and are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan, the Deferred Payment option will apply. You must have provided the University with a CAF and TFN for your current program. The entire or remaining amount will be deferred to the ATO. You do not need to do anything further under this option. Please keep your student HECS Bill for your records.
  • Students can also make voluntary repayments on their debts directly to the Tax Office. Voluntary repayments of $500 or more attract a 5%* bonus. You can contact the ATO at any time in the future if you wish to make a voluntary payment of a HELP debt.

*NOTE: Changes to HECS-HELP Discount level and the HELP voluntary repayment bonus level: From 01 January 2012, the Australian Government will lower the HECS-HELP Discount applied to upfront contribution payments of $500 will be reduced to 10%..

It will also lower the voluntary repayment bonus level, applied to payments of $500 or more, from 10% to 5%.Find out more at www.studyassist.gov.au

All New Zealand citizens and Australian Permanent Residents must pay 100% of their estimated liability before the due date. Failure to pay the amount in full will result in your enrolment being cancelled for the semester or trimester as a Commonwealth Supported Student. Payment can be made by the due date through one of the methods on the HECS-HELP bill. 

Late Payment

 

The University cannot accept up-front payments for your student contribution (HECS) after the census date for the semester or trimester.  Payments made after the census date will be returned or refunded.  Enrolment will be cancelled for the semester or trimester unless you have completed a current CAF and provided a valid TFN.

 

The amount shown on the Student Account as HECS Charges will be deferred to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) if you have completed a CAF and provided a Tax File Number (TFN), and you are eligible for HECS-HELP. You can contact the ATO at any time in the future if you wish to make a voluntary payment of a HECS debt. The ATO HECS-HELP enquiry contact number is 1300 650 225.

 

Incorrect Information and Varying your Enrolment


If you believe the enrolment and HECS-HELP details are incorrect, you will need to vary your enrolment. Options are:

  • Until the end of Week 2 of the semester/trimester you can add and drop courses via the online enrolment facility, or
  • From Week 3 to the semester census date you must contact your School or Faculty Office to add a course, or
  • Up until the census date you can drop courses via the online enrolment facility without incurring a HECS-HELP liability.

If you vary your enrolment after you have received your student bill, you can still pay on this invoice. Contact the Student Financials & Scholarships office for amended details on the amount outstanding.

Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN)

Under the guidelines of the Higher Education Support Act (HESA) 2003, the University must issue a Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) to all Commonwealth Supported (HECS), OS-HELP and FEE-HELP students after the census date for each term of enrolment. The CAN sets out details of your enrolment, the fees charged, payments received and any amounts deferred to the Australian Taxation Office as a HELP loan.

The CAN is delivered electronically (eCAN) and will be available for viewing on your MyHub page. After the census date in each term of your enrolment you will receive an email from the Student Financials and Scholarships office to advise that your eCAN is available on MyHub. 

You will need to select the View My eCAN link on your MyHub Home Page, located in the My Finances section, to view the details of your CAN.  We recommend that you print a copy of the eCAN for your records. 

Should you not agree with the details of your eCAN you will have 14 days, from the date of issue of your eCAN, in which to appeal the information. You will find a link to the Appeal form on your My Hub page. 

Remission of Debt in Special Circumstances

Students who are unable to continue with their studies due to Special Circumstances, and who withdraw after the Census Date, may be eligible for:

Under HECS-HELP

  • HECS-HELP debt remission;
  • A refund of an upfront payment of the student contribution (HECS-HELP).

Under FEE-HELP

  • FEE-HELP balance re-credit;
  • A refund of an upfront payment of tuition fee.

Full Fee Paying Students - Domestic and International

  • A refund of an upfront payment of tuition fee.

More information can be found in the University's Refund and Student Indebtedness policies and on the Remission in Special Circumstances page.

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