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HECS-HELP

What is HECS-HELP?

HECS-HELP allows eligible students in Commonwealth Supported Places to defer their student contribution amounts to a loan that is repaid through the taxation system. The amount that you can borrow under HELP has a limit set by the government.

Australian citizens, permanent humanitarian visa holders and NZ citizens who meet the government criteria are eligible for HECS-HELP.

In order to defer student contributions via HECS-HELP, you must complete and submit a Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP form providing your tax file number. This request must be submitted via my.unimelb prior to their enrolled subject census dates.

To access the Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP form:

1. Log into my.unimelb
2. Select the 'Student Admin' tab
3. Select the 'Fees' tab or 'Go to fees'
4. Select 'Apply for Commonwealth Assistance' (HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, SA-HELP)
5. Select 'Add New' next to the relevant course
6. Select 'Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP'.

Detailed information about eligibility for HECS-HELP is available from the Study Assist website.

Combined HELP limit

From 1 January 2020 onwards, any borrowing under HECS-HELP will count towards your HELP limit. The HELP limit is the maximum amount that you can borrow under HELP over your lifetime.

Any previous HECS-HELP debts will not count towards your HELP limit. Previous FEE-HELP and VET FEE-HELP debts, however, will count towards your HELP limit.

Detailed information about the combined HELP limit is available from the Study Assist website