Whether your postgraduate study is covered by HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP depends on how your place is funded. Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) use HECS-HELP; full-fee-paying places use FEE-HELP. Many postgraduate students — particularly those doing an MBA or a full-fee Masters — use FEE-HELP.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) in Postgraduate Study
Some postgraduate degrees at Australian universities offer Commonwealth Supported Places. In a CSP:
- The government subsidises a portion of your tuition (the Commonwealth contribution)
- You pay only the student contribution amount (typically much lower than full fees)
- You can defer the student contribution via HECS-HELP
Not all postgraduate courses offer CSPs — it depends on the university and the discipline. Courses that typically offer CSPs include:
- Some Master’s by coursework programs (especially in priority disciplines like teaching, nursing, engineering)
- Graduate Diploma programs
- Some Graduate Certificate programs
Check directly with your university whether your course is offered in a CSP.
Full-Fee-Paying Postgraduate Courses and FEE-HELP
Most full-fee postgraduate degrees — MBAs, many professional master’s degrees, courses at private higher education providers — do not offer CSPs. You pay the full tuition fee charged by the institution. You can defer this via FEE-HELP.
FEE-HELP differences from HECS-HELP:
| Feature | HECS-HELP (CSP) | FEE-HELP (Full fee) |
|---|---|---|
| Student contribution | Government-subsidised rate | Full fee set by institution |
| Loan cap | None | $136,788 lifetime (most courses) |
| Provider eligibility | Approved universities | Approved universities and private HE providers |
| Repayment system | Same — income-contingent via ATO | Same — income-contingent via ATO |
FEE-HELP Lifetime Limit
FEE-HELP has a lifetime limit — currently $136,788 for most courses. For medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science: $170,984.
Once you reach your lifetime FEE-HELP limit, you cannot access further FEE-HELP funding. You would need to pay tuition fees upfront.
The HECS-HELP debt from any CSP study counts toward your FEE-HELP lifetime limit as well — it is a combined HELP lifetime cap.
Typical Postgraduate Fees (Examples)
| Course | Typical Full Fee | Annual FEE-HELP Used |
|---|---|---|
| MBA (top university, 2 years) | $60,000–$100,000 total | $30,000–$50,000/year |
| Master of Education (CSP) | $4,000–$8,000/year | HECS-HELP |
| Graduate Certificate | $10,000–$20,000 total | FEE-HELP |
| Graduate Diploma of Law | $15,000–$30,000 total | FEE-HELP |
Fees are indicative and vary significantly by institution. Always verify with your university.
Repaying Postgraduate HELP Debt
All postgraduate HELP debt — whether HECS-HELP from a CSP or FEE-HELP from a full-fee place — is repaid through the same income-contingent system. Once your Repayment Income exceeds $54,435 (FY2025–26), the same repayment rates apply.
There is no separate repayment system for FEE-HELP versus HECS-HELP. All balances are combined.
Is Postgraduate Study Still Worth It With High HELP Debt?
This is a personal decision that depends on the salary uplift the qualification provides, the time to repay the debt, and indexation over that period. General considerations:
- A $60,000 FEE-HELP debt at 2.4% indexation grows by $1,440/year — less than the weekly income difference between a graduate and undergraduate role in many professions
- At a $100,000 income with a 6.0% repayment rate, the debt would be cleared in approximately 10 years (ignoring indexation)
- The value of the qualification depends entirely on the career and earnings pathway it enables
Related Articles
- HELP Loan Types in Australia
- HECS-HELP Repayment Thresholds 2025–26
- Should You Pay Off HECS Early?
- HECS-HELP Australia hub
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an MBA qualify for HECS-HELP? Only if you are enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place. Most MBA programs are full-fee-paying and use FEE-HELP instead. Check with your university.
Is there a limit on FEE-HELP for postgraduate study? Yes. The FEE-HELP lifetime limit is $136,788 for most courses. This is a combined HELP limit — HECS-HELP debt from undergraduate study also counts toward it.
How long does it take to repay a $60,000 FEE-HELP debt? At a $90,000 income (5.0% repayment rate = $4,500/year) and ~2.4% indexation, a $60,000 debt would take approximately 15–17 years to repay through compulsory repayments alone. Voluntary repayments or higher income would reduce this.
This article provides general information about HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP for postgraduate study. For advice tailored to your situation, speak with a registered tax agent. Find one through the Tax Practitioners Board register.