Skip to content : Deakin home : Contact Deakin : Directory of staff : Site map : A-Z index : Help : Portal
Study information
Current students
Decrease text size Increase text size print
Deakin home > Current students > Study information

HECS-HELP - What is it?

HECS-HELP provides eligible Commonwealth supported students with a loan to cover their student contribution amount and/or a discount if they choose to pay all, or at least $500, of their student contribution amount up front.

Only Australian citizens and holders of a permanent humanitarian visa are eligible for HECS-HELP. New Zealand citizens; and holders of a permanent visa (other than a humanitarian visa) are unable to access this loan scheme and are required to pay the full student contribution amount up front.

If you are a student who is eligible for HECS-HELP assistance you may pay your student contribution in one of three ways:

  1. Pay all of your student contribution up front and receive a HECS-HELP discount of 20% i.e. you only pay 80% of your contribution amount.
  2. Receive a HECS-HELP loan for the full student contribution (previously referred to as deferring your HECS).
  3. Pay some of your student contribution up front (and receive a 20% discount on payments over $500) and receive a HECS-HELP loan for the balance.

If you take out a HECS-HELP loan, the Commonwealth pays the loan amount directly to Deakin on your behalf and a HECS-HELP debt is recorded for you with the Australian Taxation Office.

If you would like to obtain HECS-HELP please complete an electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) via StudentConnect.