FEE-HELP: Study now, pay later
Posted July 10, 2015, by Career FAQs team
FEE-HELP
What is FEE-HELP?
FEE-HELP is a loan scheme to help students pay all, or part, of their tuition fees. You can only access FEE-HELP if you’re planning to study at a university or other private higher education institution that has been approved to offer FEE-HELP to eligible students.
Am I eligible?
You must:
- Be enrolled in an eligible unit of study, offered by an approved FEE-HELP provider, by the census date; AND
- Be an Australian citizen undertaking one unit of study in Australia; OR
- Be a permanent humanitarian visa holder, residing in Australia for the duration of your unit; OR
- Be a permanent visa holder undertaking bridging study for overseas-trained professionals, and residing in Australia for the duration of study.
When do I starting paying back
You’ll start repaying your HELP debt once your taxable income reaches the compulsory repayment threshold. This threshold is adjusted every year.
The threshold for 2019-20 is $45,881.
How much can I borrow?
In 2019 you can borrow up to $104,440 under the FEE-HELP scheme. For students studying medicine, dentistry and veterinary science courses, the FEE-HELP limit is $150,000.
Is there anything else I need to know?
There is a 25% FEE-HELP loan fee applied to undergraduate courses. This does not count towards your FEE-HELP limit, and is calculated for each individual unit you undertake.
Your HELP debt is indexed each year in March to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
| 2019-2020 Repayment rates | |
|---|---|
| 2019-2020 Repayment rates | Repayment % rate |
| Below $45,881 | NIL |
| $45,881 – $52,973 | 1.0% |
| $52,974 – $56,151 | 2.0% |
| $56,152 – $59,521 | 2.5% |
| $59,522 - $63,092 | 3.0% |
| $63,093 - $66,877 | 3.5% |
| $66,878 - $70,890 | 4.0% |
| $70,891 - $75,144 | 4.5% |
| $75,145 - $79,652 | 5.0% |
| $79,653 - $84,432 | 5.5% |
| $84,433 - $89,498 | 6.0% |
| $89,499 - $94,868 | 6.5% |
| $94,869 - $100,560 | 7.0% |
| $100,561 - $106,593 | 7.5% |
| $106,594 - $112,989 | 8.0% |
| $112,990 - $119,769 | 8.5% |
| $119,770 - $126,955 | 9.0% |
| $126,956 - $134,572 | 9.5% |
| $134,573 and above | 10% |
To get started with your FEE-HELP application, or for more information, you can head to the StudyAssist website.
Browse through our range of online courses that are covered by FEE-HELP.
Career FAQs team
