Government HELP schemes
Higher Education Loan Program loans help pay your university fees, whether you're starting your journey at Deakin as an undergraduate student or furthering your career as a postgraduate student.
What HELP loans are available?
Australian Government Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loans provide assistance with your student contributions.
- HECS-HELP loans assist with paying your remaining student contribution in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP).
- FEE-HELP loans help with your tuition fees if you are in a fee-paying place.
- SA-HELP loans are for help with your Student Services and Amenities Fee.
Eligibility for HELP loans is based on citizenship, primarily Australian citizens and select visa holders living in Australia. The Australian Government StudyAssist website has a handy tool to help find what loan you are eligible for.
Are international students eligible for HELP?
If you're an international student, you are not eligible for a HELP loan. You may be eligible to receive financial support with a Deakin international scholarship.
How do I repay my student loan?
HELP loan repayments are made through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) once your annual income exceeds the minimum threshold. The ATO provides detailed information about how and when you pay.
Support for overseas study
Students who participate in one of Deakin’s overseas study programs may be eligible for an OS-HELP loan to help pay travel expenses, such as airfares, accommodation and other travel expenses.
These loans are offered by the Commonwealth Government, but you apply for the loan directly to Deakin.
Student income support
The Australian Government offers various payments for university students via Services Australia (Centerlink). To be eligible for student income support, such as Youth Allowance and Austudy, you need to study full time and meet the eligibility requirements.
Postgraduate courses eligible for Centrelink payments
If you're enrolled in a specific masters program at Deakin, you may be able to receive financial support through a Centrelink payment. Check our list to see if your course is eligible.
- Juris Doctor
- Master of Architecture
- Master of Child Play Therapy
- Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology
- Master of Commerce
- Master of Construction Management (Professional)
- Master of Dietetics
- Master of Education (Specialist Inclusive Education)
- Master of Information Systems
- Master of Health Economics
- Master of Professional Accounting
- Master of Psychology (Clinical)
- Master of Psychology (Organisational)
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Social Work
- Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)
- Master of Teaching (Primary)
- Master of Teaching (Secondary)
Frequently asked questions about government support programs
HECS-HELP loans are for students in CSPs to help with the student contribution amount. FEE-HELP loans support students in full fee-paying courses.
Only domestic students or those on select visas are eligible. There are other criteria, such as not having surpassed your HELP borrowing limit. You can find all the details on the StudyAssist website.
Only domestic students or those on select visas are eligible. There are other criteria, such as not having surpassed your HELP borrowing limit. You can find all the details on the StudyAssist website.
It depends on how much you earn and how much you owe. The ATO, who manage the payments, have a lot of information about what and how you pay.
No. What you earn or what you have saved doesn’t affect your loan eligibility. You also don’t have to borrow the full amount allowable – you can pay some of your fees upfront if you wish so your loan amount will be lower.
Contact us
We're here to support you. Contact us if you have a question about fees, costs or loans.
Domestic students
1800 693 888
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International students
+61 3 9918 9188
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