HECS-HELP is the most well-known of Australia’s Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt types, but there are several other loan schemes for different study situations. All HELP debt types use the same repayment thresholds and rates and are combined into a single balance for repayment purposes.
Overview of HELP Loan Types
| Loan Type | What It Covers | Who Can Access It |
|---|---|---|
| HECS-HELP | Commonwealth Supported Places at universities | Domestic students in CSP places |
| FEE-HELP | Full-fee-paying students (most postgraduate, private providers) | Eligible domestic students not in CSP |
| VET Student Loan | Approved vocational education and training courses | Students in approved VET courses |
| SA-HELP | Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) | Students charged the SSAF |
| OS-HELP | Overseas study as part of an Australian course | Eligible CSP students studying abroad |
HECS-HELP
Who: Domestic students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) at an approved Australian higher education provider (most universities).
What it covers: The student contribution amount — the portion of tuition fees charged to the student in a CSP. The government pays the remainder (Commonwealth contribution).
Limit: No dollar cap on the total HECS-HELP debt that can be accumulated.
Key feature: No upfront payment required. The debt is deferred and repaid through the tax system.
FEE-HELP
Who: Domestic students studying in a full-fee-paying place (not a CSP) at an approved provider.
What it covers: The full tuition fee charged by the institution.
Limit: There is a FEE-HELP lifetime limit — currently $136,788 (or $170,984 for medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science). Once you reach the lifetime limit, you cannot access further FEE-HELP.
Common situations: Most full-fee-paying postgraduate degrees (e.g., MBA, Graduate Certificate), many private higher education provider courses.
VET Student Loan
Who: Students studying in approved vocational education and training (VET) courses at approved VET providers.
What it covers: Course tuition fees up to a capped amount (varies by course — up to $15,048 for Band 3 courses).
Note: VET Student Loans replaced the earlier VET FEE-HELP scheme in 2017 following widespread rorting of the old scheme.
SA-HELP
Who: Students at universities and other higher education providers that charge the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
What it covers: The SSAF charged by the institution (maximum $349 per year as of 2025).
Note: SA-HELP is often small but adds to the overall HELP debt balance. Students can pay the SSAF upfront to avoid this debt.
OS-HELP
Who: Eligible domestic students in a CSP who want to undertake overseas study as part of their Australian course.
What it covers: Living expenses, airfares, and other costs of studying overseas — not tuition (covered by HECS-HELP).
Limit: Up to $9,394 per six-month study period overseas (as of FY2025–26), with a lifetime limit.
All HELP Debts Repaid Together
Although there are separate loan types, they are all combined into a single Study and Training Loan balance for repayment purposes. The ATO calculates your compulsory repayment on your total combined HELP debt balance using the same income thresholds and rates.
You cannot choose to repay one debt type faster than another — repayments are applied to the total combined balance.
Related Articles
- HECS-HELP Explained
- HECS-HELP Repayment Thresholds 2025–26
- HECS for Postgraduate Study
- HECS-HELP Australia hub
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP? HECS-HELP is for students in Commonwealth Supported Places at universities — they pay a subsidised student contribution amount. FEE-HELP is for full-fee-paying students and covers the full tuition fee, up to a lifetime limit.
Is there a limit on HECS-HELP debt? No. HECS-HELP does not have a dollar cap. FEE-HELP has a lifetime limit (currently $136,788 for most courses).
Do VET student loans use the same repayment system as HECS? Yes. VET Student Loans are part of the HELP system and are repaid through the same income-contingent system with the same thresholds and rates.
This article provides general information about HELP loan types for FY2025–26. For current limits and eligibility, refer to the ATO at ato.gov.au and the Department of Education. For advice tailored to your situation, speak with a registered tax agent. Find one through the Tax Practitioners Board register.