Making the choice to go to university can be both an exciting and daunting decision. A degree is an investment in your future, and so it’s important for you to understand the fees and costs involved, and all of the options you have available.  

You are probably wondering how you pay for your university degree? You may have heard of a HECS-HELP loan but aren’t sure exactly what it means.  

At first glance, HECS-HELP can seem a bit complex and overwhelming. The truth is, it’s usually a pretty straightforward process. We have broken down all the info you need to know about the government loan here:  

What is HECS-HELP? 

Simply put, it is a loan from the government to help students who are enrolled in a ‘Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)’ to defer their student fees.

When you apply to university, if you are eligible you will be given the option to access a HECS-HELP loan to pay for your studies. After enrolling in a course, you enrol in subjects (or units) - these are added to your HECS-HELP loan, so you won’t need to pay anything upfront.   

Wait, what?  
Yeah we hear you, that was a lot of information. Here’s what you need to know:

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP): Is a university or higher education place where the Australia government pays part of eligible student's fees.  

HECS: Higher Education Contribution Scheme - Refers to the type of loan you take out as a uni students to pay your contribution of your uni fees.  

HELP: Higher Education Loan Program – Refers to the overall program that provides loans to eligible students (across TAFE, University etc). 

So, the commonly referred to HECS-HELP loan is available to eligible students who are enrolled in a CSP (a uni or TAFE) to defer their fees, so they don’t need to pay anything up front.  

Am I eligible?

The eligibility criteria for HECS-HELP includes: 

• Being enrolled in a CSP (a university or TAFE as mentioned above) 

• Be an Australian citizen who will study part of their course in Australia or an eligible New Zealand Special Category Visa holder 

• Be enrolled correctly and submit your HECS-HELP form on or before the census date 

• Have a tax file number (TFN) or applied for one 

You can find more about eligibility on the Study Assist website.  

How do I apply for HECS-HELP? 

Once you have accepted your offer from Murdoch University, access the MyMurdoch portal where you have the option to defer fees to HECS-HELP. Note that you’ll need your tax file number to complete this process. You’ll only have to apply once for the duration of your whole degree. Don’t have a TFN already? Learn how to apply for one.

What if I am studying a postgraduate course?
Some postgraduate degrees may fall under HECS-HELP, but others will be covered by a similar scheme called FEE-HELP. 

How much can I borrow?
The limit to how much HELP you can borrow is $126,839 – but there is a higher limit for some approved courses, like medicine.  

HECS repayments: questions about the future

It all sounds great not having to worry about educational costs right now, but how do you actually settle the debt? The good news is you won’t get served with a huge one-off bill once you finish your studies. Here’s what you need to know about repayments.   

When do repayments start? 

Currently, the minimum threshold for 2025-26 is an annual income of $56,156, and it starts at just a 1 per cent repayment rate of the loan. For instance, that would be $200 on a $20,000 HECS-HELP loan. If you do not earn above the threshold, you will not have to make a repayment on your debt.  

Can I pay off my debt faster?

What if I move overseas?

Is uni worth it?