Hecs help

www.goingtouni.gov.au

HECS-HELP 2012

Information forCommonwealth supported students

You must read this booklet before signing the commonwealth assistance form below

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations has endeavoured to ensure that the information in this publication is consistent with the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (the Act) and guidelines made under the Act, available at www.comlaw.gov.au. However, there may be differences between this publication and the Act or guidelines - if there is any inconsistency the Act will take precedence.

Continuing students: If you are continuing with a course you commenced as a Commonwealth supported student prior to 2012, you do not need to complete another form for that course for your Commonwealth supported place or HECS-HELP.

Your deadline for submission of the form and finalising your payment of the student contribution amount for each unit of study is the census date

(your provider may have set an earlier administrative date for this deadline).

If you do not submit this form by the census date you risk cancellation of your enrolment as a Commonwealth supported student.

Form for students commencing a course in 2012

You must sign this form:

Information for Commonwealth supported students 2012 i

Who is this booklet for?

• ThisbookletisforpeopleenrollinginahighereducationcourseofstudyasaCommonwealthsupportedstudent.

• IfyouarenotenrolledasaCommonwealthsupportedstudent,youwillbeenrolledasafeepayingstudentandchargedtuitionfees.SomefeepayingstudentsareeligibleforaFEE-HELPloantopaytheirtuitionfees.FormoreinformationonFEE-HELP,seetheFEE-HELP information 2012bookletavailablefromyourprovideroratwww.goingtouni.gov.au.

• Ifyouneedinformationaboutloansforcertainvocationaleducationandtraining(VET)levelcourses,pleaseseetheVET FEE-HELP information 2012booklet(availablefromwww.deewr.gov.au/vetfeehelporbycontactingtheVETFEE-HELPenquirylineon13 38 73).VETFEE-HELPprovidesloansforeligiblestudentsdoingdiploma,advanceddiploma,graduatecertificateandgraduatediplomacoursesthatareaccreditedasVETawards.

Using this booklet

• Asyoureadthrough,youwillnoticethatcertaintermsarehighlightedinpink.Thesetermsaredefinedintheglossary.

• Ifyouneedtoknowwhotocontactifyouhavespecificquestions,theContactssectionattheendofthebookletwillhelpyou.

• Youcangetmoreinformationfromwww.goingtouni.gov.au.

www.goingtouni.gov.auii

tAble of Contents

Who is this booklet for? ........................................................................................ i

Using this booklet ................................................................................................. i

Glossary ................................................................................................................ v

1. Introduction ...................................................................................................... 11.1 Commonwealthsupportedplacesforhighereducation............................. 1

1.2 HowdoIapplyforaCommonwealthsupportedplace?............................. 1

1.3 ShouldIacceptaCommonwealthsupportedplace?.................................. 1

1.4 What’sthedifferencebetweenthecensusdateandtheadministrativedate?....................................................................................2

1.5 HowdoIpaythestudentcontributionformyCommonwealthsupportedplace?........................................................................................2

1.6 WhatifI’mnotCommonwealthsupported?...............................................3

2. Commonwealth supported places ................................................................... 42.1 AmIeligibleforaCommonwealthsupportedplace?.................................. 4

2.2 Citizenshipandresidencyrequirements...................................................... 4

2.3 RemovalofStudentLearningEntitlement(SLE)..........................................5

2.4 HowdoIacceptaCommonwealthsupportedplace?................................. 6

2.5 DoIhavetoprovidemytaxfilenumber(TFN)?.........................................7

2.6 HowdoIgetataxfilenumber(TFN)?........................................................7

2.7 WhatifIchangemycourseorprovider?.....................................................8

2.8 WhatifmyeligibilitychangesafterIsubmittheform?............................... 8

2.9 CanIenrolinunitsatdifferentproviders?..................................................9

3. Student contribution amounts for Commonwealth supported places ....... 103.1 HowmuchwillIpayformyCommonwealthsupportedplace?................ 10

3.2 AreCommonwealthsupportedplacesavailableatthepostgraduatelevel?................................................................................... 12

Information for Commonwealth supported students 2012 iii

4. Using HECS-HELP to pay your student contributions ................................... 134.1 WhatisHECS-HELP?................................................................................. 13

4.2 AmIeligibleforHECS-HELP?.................................................................... 13

4.3 HowdoIapplyforHECS-HELP?................................................................ 14

4.4 DoIhavetoprovidemytaxfilenumber(TFN)?....................................... 14

4.5 HowtheHECS-HELPdiscountworks......................................................... 14

4.6 WhatifIbecomeanAustraliancitizenafterIhavesubmittedmyform?... 16

4.7 WhataremystudentcontributionpaymentoptionsunderHECS-HELP?.. 17

4.8 CanIchangemypaymentoption?........................................................... 19

4.9 DoesanexistingHELPdebtaffectmyeligibilityforHECS-HELP?.............. 19

4.10CanIgetaHECS-HELPloanifI’mamatureagedstudentorstudyingpart-time?.................................................................................. 19

4.11DomyassetsorincomeaffectmyeligibilityforHECS-HELP?................... 19

4.12Ismystudentcontributiontaxdeductible?............................................... 19

5. How to keep track of your HECS-HELP ............................................................205.1 YourCommonwealthHigherEducationStudentSupport

Number(CHESSN).................................................................................... 20

5.2 YourCommonwealthAssistanceNotice(CAN)......................................... 20

5.3 WhatismyUniAssist?................................................................................. 21

6. Withdrawing from studies .............................................................................226.1 HowdoIwithdrawfromaunit?...............................................................22

6.2 WhathappensifIwithdrawbythecensusdate?......................................22

6.3 WhathappensifIwithdrawafterthecensusdate?................................... 23

6.4 WillchangingmystudyloadaffectmyeligibilityforYouthAllowance,Austudy,ABSTUDYorPensionerEducationSupplement?......................... 23

6.5 WhathappensifIfailaunit?..................................................................... 23

6.6 WhathappensifItransfertoadifferentprovider?.................................... 23

6.7 HowcanIapplytohavemyHECS-HELPdebtremovedunder‘specialcircumstances’?............................................................................ 24

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7. Repaying your HELP debt ..............................................................................267.1 WhatisaHELPdebt?................................................................................ 26

7.2 WhendoIstartrepayingmyHELPdebt?.................................................. 26

7.3 Howmuchwillmyrepaymentsbe?.......................................................... 26

7.4 Isinterestchargedonmydebt?................................................................ 28

7.5 Repaymentsfromjob,benefitorsuperannuationincome......................... 28

7.6 Repaymentsfrombusinessorinvestmentincome.....................................29

7.7 WhatifIdisagreewithmycompulsoryrepayment?.................................29

7.8 WhatifIhavedifficultiesmakingmycompulsoryrepayment?..................30

7.9 CanImakevoluntaryrepayments?...........................................................30

7.10CanIgetabonusforvoluntaryrepayments?............................................ 31

7.11 HowdoImakeavoluntaryrepayment?.................................................... 32

7.12 Arerepaymentstaxdeductible?................................................................ 35

7.13 WhathappenstomydebtifIdie?............................................................ 35

7.14 WhathappenstomydebtifIgobankrupt?.............................................. 35

7.15 HowcanIgetinformationonmyHELPaccount?..................................... 35

Contacts .............................................................................................................. 37Yourapprovedprovider.................................................................................... 37

DepartmentofEducation,EmploymentandWorkplaceRelations(DEEWR)..... 37

AustralianTaxationOffice(ATO).......................................................................38

Centrelink.........................................................................................................38

DepartmentofImmigrationandCitizenship(DIAC)......................................... 39

Appendix A: Approved providers with Commonwealth supported places .....40

Appendix B: Exceptions to student contribution amounts .............................. 41Accounting,administration,economicsandcommercecoursesbegunpre-200841

Mathematics,statisticsandsciencecoursesbegunpre-2009........................... 41

Educationandnursingcoursesbegunpre-2010............................................... 42

Appendix C: HECS-HELP Benefit ........................................................................ 43

Appendix D: How much does the Australian Government contribute? ......... 44

Frequently asked questions ............................................................................... 45

Information for Commonwealth supported students 2012 v

glossAry

Accumulated HELP debt TheconsolidatedtotalofanyHECS-HELP,FEE-HELP,VETFEE-HELPorOS-HELPdebtsyouhaveincurred(includinganyGovernmentloansforstudyincurredbefore2005).

Administrative date Adate(beforethecensusdate)setbyyourproviderbywhichtheywantyoutosubmityourRequest for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELPformortowithdrawyourenrolment.

Note:youcanstillsubmityourapplicationforaloanorwithdrawfromaunitaftertheadministrativedate(butbythecensusdate)withoutincurringaHECS-HELPdebtbutyoumayhavetopayalateenrolmentfeeoralatewithdrawalfee.See section 1.4.

Approved provider (provider)

AuniversityorotheraccreditedhighereducationinstitutionapprovedtoofferCommonwealthsupportedplaces.

Census date Deadlineforvariousrequirements,includingsubmittingyourRequest for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELPform,makinganyup-frontpaymentofyourstudentcontributionsandformallywithdrawingfromanyunits.See section 1.4.

Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN)

NoticefromyourproviderdetailinginformationabouttheCommonwealthassistanceyouhaveusedforthestudyperiod.See section 5.2.

Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN)

YouruniqueidentificationnumberasapersonstudyinginaCommonwealthsupportedplaceoraccessingaHELPloan.See section 5.1.

Commonwealth supported place

AplaceatanapprovedproviderthatissubsidisedbytheAustralianGovernmentsothatstudentsonlyhavetopay‘studentcontribution’amountsfortheirunitsofstudy.See section 1andAppendix A.

Commonwealth supported student

AstudentwhoisenrolledinaCommonwealthsupportedplaceatanapprovedprovider.MostdomesticstudentswhostudytheirundergraduatedegreeatuniversitydosoasCommonwealthsupportedstudents.

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Course of study Studiesleadingtoahighereducationaward(e.g.aBachelordegree).

Domestic student AstudentwhoisanAustraliancitizen,aNewZealandcitizenortheholderofapermanentvisa.

Equivalent full-time study load (EFTSL)

Howstudyloadforstudentsismeasured.OneEFTSListhestudyload,forayear,ofastudentundertakingacourseonafull-timebasis.

FEE-HELP AustralianGovernmentloanprogramtohelpeligiblefeepayingstudentspaytheirtuitionfees.

Fee paying place AplaceinacoursewhichisnotaCommonwealthsupportedplace(i.e.notsubsidisedbytheAustralianGovernment)andforwhichtuitionfeesarepayable.

Fee paying student Astudentwhoisenrolledinafeepayingplaceattheirproviderandpaystuitionfeesfortheircourse.

HECS-HELP AustralianGovernmentloanprogramtohelpeligibleCommonwealthsupportedstudentstopaytheirstudentcontributionamounts.Before2005thiswasknownas‘HECS’.

HECS-HELP Benefit AreductioninaccumulatedHELPdebtorrelevantcompulsoryrepaymentgrantedtocertaingraduatesunderspecificcircumstances.See Appendix C.

HECS-HELP discount A20%discountforeligibleCommonwealthsupportedstudentswhentheypay$500ormoreoftheirstudentcontributionup-front(subjecttothepassageoflegislation,thiswillbereducedto10%from1January2012).See section 4.5.

Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)

AustralianGovernmentloanprogramwhichhelpseligiblestudentspaytheirstudentcontributions(HECS-HELP),tuitionfees(FEE-HELPorVETFEE-HELP)andoverseasstudyexpenses(OS-HELP).Theseloansarerepaidthroughthetaxsystem.

Indexation YouraccumulatedHELPdebtisadjustedon1JuneeachyeartoreflectchangesintheConsumerPriceIndex.See section 7.4.

Information for Commonwealth supported students 2012 vii

OS-HELP AustralianGovernmentloanprogramtohelpeligibleCommonwealthsupportedstudentspaytheiroverseasstudyexpenses.

Repayment threshold TheincomelevelabovewhichyouarerequiredtomakeacompulsoryrepaymentonyouraccumulatedHELPdebt.See section 7.2.

Request for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELP

TheformthatyoumustsubmittoyourprovidertoacceptanofferofaCommonwealthsupportedplace.Thisformwillalsoaskyoutoindicateyourpaymentoptionforyourstudentcontribution.See section 2.4.

Special circumstances SpecificrequirementssetoutintheHigher Education Support Act 2003anditsassociatedguidelinesthatyoumustmeettohaveyourHECS-HELPdebtremoved.See section 6.7.

Student contribution (or student contribution amount)

Theamountyouhavetopay(eitherup-frontorwithaHECS-HELPloan)foreachunitofstudyyouareenrolledinasaCommonwealthsupportedstudent.See section 3.

Tax file number (TFN) YouruniqueidentificationnumberfromtheAustralianTaxationOfficeforeverythingtaxrelated,includingmakingHECS-HELPrepayments.

Tuition fees Thefees,setbyproviders,thatfeepayingstudents(i.e.thosenotenrolledinaCommonwealthsupportedplace)payfortheirunitsofstudy.Thesefeesaresetbyindividualproviders.

VET FEE-HELP AustralianGovernmentloanprogramtohelpeligiblestudentsenrolledinhigher-levelvocationaleducationandtraining(VET)coursesatapprovedVETproviderspaytheirtuitionfees.

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1. introdUCtion

1.1 Commonwealth supported places for higher education

TheAustralianGovernmentcontributestothehighereducationofdomesticstudentsbyfundingCommonwealthsupportedplaces.Theseplacesareavailableatallpublicuniversitiesandsomeprivateapprovedproviders(providers).

StudentspayastudentcontributionamountforeachunitofstudytheyundertakeasaCommonwealthsupportedstudent.

See Appendix AforalistofprovidersthatareapprovedtoofferCommonwealthsupportedplaces.

Commonwealthsupportedplacesareonlyavailabletodomesticstudents.MostdomesticstudentsundertaketheirundergraduatecourseofstudyinaCommonwealthsupportedplace.

See section 2tocheckwhetheryouareeligibleforaCommonwealthsupportedplace.

1.2 How do I apply for a Commonwealth supported place?

YouapplyforaCommonwealthsupportedplacethroughtheTertiaryAdmissionsCentreintheStateorTerritorywhereyourproviderislocated.Insomecases,youmaybeabletoapplydirectlytoyourprovider(youwillneedtoconfirmthiswiththem).YourofferofenrolmentwillsaywhetheryouhavebeenofferedaCommonwealthsupportedplaceorafeepayingplace(see section 1.6)inyourselectedcourseofstudy.

1.3 Should I accept a Commonwealth supported place?

SomestudentschoosenottoacceptaCommonwealthsupportedplaceforanumberofdifferentreasons.However,theseplacesaremuchcheaperthanfeepayingplaces.

Ifyoudon’twanttoacceptaCommonwealthsupportedplace,orifyouwanttobeCommonwealthsupportedforonlysomeofyourunits,youneedtoinformyourproviderofthisinwritingbythecensusdateoradministrativedateforthe

Information for Commonwealth supported students 2012 2

relevantstudyperiod(see section 1.4).Keepinmindthatyourproviderdoesnothavetoofferyouafeepayingplaceinstead.

1.4 What’s the difference between the census date and the administrative date?

ThecensusdateisthelastdaytosubmityourRequest for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELPformortowithdrawyourenrolmentwithoutincurringastudentcontributionorHECS-HELPdebtforthatunit.Asproviderssettheirowncensusdate,thisdatewillvaryacrossproviders.Someprovidersalsosetanadministrativedate(beforethecensusdate)bywhichtheywantyoutosubmityourformortowithdrawyourenrolment.Ifyoumissthisdateyoumayhavetopayalate enrolment fee or a latewithdrawal fee,butyoucanstill(bythecensusdate)withdrawfromaunitwithoutincurringthecostoradebtfortheunit.

Checkwithyourprovidertoseewhenthecensusdateisandiftheyalsohaveanadministrativedateaswell.

1.5 How do I pay the student contribution for my Commonwealth supported place?

MoststudentswhoareeligibleforaHECS-HELPloanchoosetopaytheirstudentcontributionswiththeloan.StudentswhoareeligibleforHECS-HELPcanalsochoosetomakeup-frontpaymentsofpartoralloftheirstudentcontributions.Eligiblestudentswillreceivea20%discountforup-frontpaymentsof$500ormore.

Changes to the HECS-HELP discount

TheAustralianGovernmenthasannouncedthereductionoftheHECS-HELPdiscountfrom20%to10%from1January2012,subjecttothepassageoflegislation.

Refertowww.goingtouni.gov.auforup-to-dateinformationonthestatusofthelegislation.

IfyouarenoteligibleforHECS-HELPyouwillneedtopayyourstudentcontributionsup-frontinfullandyouwon’tbeeligibleforthe20%discount.

See section 4.2tocheckwhetheryouareeligibleforaHECS-HELPloananddiscount.


1.6 What if I’m not Commonwealth supported?

IfyouarenotenrolledasaCommonwealthsupportedstudent,youwillbeenrolledasafeepayingstudent.ThismeanstheGovernmentwillnotcontributetowardsyoureducationandyouwillneedtopaythetuitionfeessetbyyourproviderforyourunitsofstudy.SomefeepayingstudentsareeligibleforaFEE-HELPloantopaytheirtuitionfees.

FormoreinformationonFEE-HELP,seetheFEE-HELP information 2012bookletavailablefromyourprovideroratwww.goingtouni.gov.au.


2. CommonWeAlth sUpported plACes

2.1 Am I eligible for a Commonwealth supported place?

IfyouareanAustraliancitizen,youareeligibleforaCommonwealthsupportedplace.IfyouareapermanentvisaholderorNewZealandcitizenandyoumeettheresidencyrequirements(see section 2.2),youarealsoeligibleforaCommonwealthsupportedplace.

Youwon’tnecessarilybeofferedaCommonwealthsupportedplaceinthecourseofyourchoiceoratyourchosenapprovedprovider(provider).Applicationsareassessedbyprovidersandoffersarebasedonmeritasstudentsmustalsomeetthecourseentryrequirementssetbytheprovider.Ifsuccessful,yourproviderwillletyouknowinwritingwhetheryouhavebeenofferedaCommonwealthsupportedplace.

2.2 Citizenship and residency requirements

TomeetthecitizenshipandresidencyrequirementsforaCommonwealthsupportedplaceyoumustbeeither:

an Australian citizenor

aNew Zealand citizen

or

apermanent visa holder

and

you must be resident in Australia for the duration of your unit

Australian citizenship

YoumayautomaticallyacquireAustraliancitizenshipbybirthoradoptioninAustralia,oryoumayapplyforAustraliancitizenship.Ifyouare16yearsofageandoveratthetimeyoumakeanapplicationforcitizenshipbyconferral,youwillobtainAustraliancitizenshiponlyafteryouhavemadethepledgeofcommitmentandhavebeenissuedwithEvidenceofAustralianCitizenshipfromtheDepartmentofImmigrationandCitizenship(DIAC).


ForinformationontheeligibilityrequirementsandapplicationprocessforAustraliancitizenship,studentsshouldvisitDIAC’scitizenshipwebsiteatwww.citizenship.gov.auorphonetheCitizenship Information Line on13 18 80.

You should allow sufficient time for your application for Australian citizenship to be considered if you are intending to become an Australian citizen before you enrol in a course of study.

Residency requirements

TodeterminewhetheryouareresidentinAustraliaforthedurationofyourunit,anyperiodofresidenceoutsideAustraliawillbedisregardedif:

a) itcannotreasonablyberegardedasindicatinganintentiontoresideoutsideAustraliaforthedurationoftheunit;or

b) itisrequiredforthepurposeofcompletingarequirementofthatunit.

YouwillnotmeettheresidencyrequirementsifyourapprovedproviderreasonablyexpectsthatyouwillnotbeinAustraliaundertakinganyunitscontributingtothecourseofstudyinwhichyouareenrolled.

New Zealand citizens and non-humanitarian permanent visa holders

WhileNewZealandcitizensandnon-humanitarianpermanentvisaholdersareeligibletostudyinaCommonwealthsupportedplace,theyarenot eligiblefor a HECS-HELP loan or discounts for up-front paymentsofstudentcontributions(unlesstheNewZealandcitizenisalsoanAustralianCitizen).Theymustpaytheirstudentcontributionsup-fronttotheirprovideronorbeforethecensusdateforeachunitofstudyinwhichtheyenrol.

MostNewZealandcitizenswhoarriveinAustraliaaretheholdersofatemporaryvisacalledaSpecialCategoryVisa.Thisisnotapermanentvisa.

2.3 Removal of Student Learning Entitlement (SLE)

SLEwasintroducedon1January2005.TheintentofSLEwastolimitaperson’sabilitytostudyataproviderasaCommonwealthsupportedstudenttotheequivalentofsevenyearsfull-timestudy,subjecttoexceptionsspecifiedintheHigher Education Support Act 2003whichallowedforfurtherperiodsof‘additional’SLEand‘lifelong’SLEtobeallocated.


On14September2011,theParliamentpassedlegislationthatwillabolishSLEfrom1January2012.UndertheprovisionsoftheBill,highereducationstudentswillnolongerhavealimitplacedonhowmuchstudytheycanundertakeasaCommonwealthsupportedstudent.

ContinuingstudentsneednotbeconcernedbyanylimitsformerlyplacedonthembytheoperationoftheSLE.StudentswhohaveuseduptheirallocationofSLEwillnowbeabletore-enrolfrom1January2012tocompletetheirstudiesasaCommonwealthsupportedstudentortoundertakefurtherstudyinaCommonwealthsupportedplace.ThosestudentswhouseduptheirSLEandhavepaidtuitionfeesforafeepayingplaceand/orreceivedaFEE-HELPloanarenotabletoreceivearemittanceofthosetuitionfeesorareductionintheirFEE-HELPdebt.

2.4 How do I accept a Commonwealth supported place?

ToacceptanofferofaCommonwealthsupportedplace,youneedtosubmittheRequest for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELPformtoyourproviderbythecensusdate(orearlieradministrativedate-see section 1.4)setbytheproviderforthefirstunitsofyourcourse.Otherwise,youwillhavetowaituntilthenextsemestertore-applyforyourCommonwealthsupportedplace(andtheHECS-HELPschemeifapplicable).

Contactyourproviderifyoudon’tknowwhatthecensusdateisforyourcourse,andifthereisalsoanadministrativedate(see section 1.4).

Youcanonlygettheformfromyourprovider.Someprovidersacceptformsthatarecompletedonline(checkwithyourprovidertoseeifyoucandothis),butyoucan’tsubmitaphotocopiedorfaxedform.Ifyouneedhelpwithunderstanding,completingorsubmittingtheform,contactyourprovider.


Process to accept your Commonwealth supported place

2.5 Do I have to provide my tax file number (TFN)?

YouneedtoprovideyourTFNonyourformorattachaCertificate of application for a tax file numbertoyourformifyouareeligibleforHECS-HELPandyou:

• wanttoobtainaHECS-HELPloanforallorpartofyourstudentcontribution;or

• arepayingyourstudentcontributionup-frontbutasasafetynet,youwanttoensurethatyoucanstillobtainaHECS-HELPloanifyoufailtomakethepaymentbythecensusdate.

2.6 How do I get a tax file number (TFN)?

Ifyoudon’talreadyhaveaTFN,youwillneedtocompleteaTax file number application or enquiry for an individualform,availablefromtheAustralianTaxationOffice(ATO).ForinformationonhowtoapplyforaTFN,orifyoucannotfindyourTFN,contacttheATO(see Contacts).

Checkyourofferofenrolment(letter)fromyourproviderorTertiaryAdmissionsCentretoensureyouhavebeenofferedenrolmentinacourseasaCommonwealthsupportedstudent.

SubmityourRequest for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELPformtoyourproviderbythecensusdate(oradministrativedate).Remembertocheckthisdatewithyourprovider.

YoumustsubmittheformtoacceptyourofferofaCommonwealthsupportedplace.Ifyoudonotdothisbythecorrectdeadline,yourofferwilllapseandyouwillhavetowaituntilthenextstudyperiodtore-applyforaCommonwealthsupportedplace.

NOAre you eligible for HECS-HELP?

See section 4.2 for details.YES

Seesection 4.5forinformationaboutyourpaymentoptionsunderHECS-HELP.

Youneedtopayyourfullstudentcontributiontoyourproviderbytheirdeadline.


ATFNisusuallysuppliedwithin28 daysofsubmittingtheTax file number application or enquiry for an individualform.YoushouldapplyforyourTFNasearlyaspossibletomakesureitarrivesbeforethecensusdate(orearlieradministrativedate)whenyouneedtosubmityourform.

IfyouhaveappliedforaTFNbuthavenotreceiveditwithin10 daysbeforethisdeadline,youshouldrequestaCertificate of application for a tax file numberfromtheATOandgiveittoyourproviderasproofthatyouhaveapplied.YoucangetthiscertificatebyvisitinganATOshopfrontorbycontactingtheATO(see Contacts).

Youhave21 daysfromthedaytheATOissuesyouaTFNtogiveittoyourprovider.

2.7 What if I change my course or provider?

Ifyouchangeyourcourseorprovideryouwillneedtosubmitanewform.

Youshouldcheckwithyourproviderifyouthinkyoumayneedtofilloutanewform.Ifyoudoneedtocompleteanewformandyoudon’tsubmititbythecensusdate,yourproviderwillcancelyourenrolmentasaCommonwealthsupportedstudent.

Ifyoutransfertoanewprovider,youneedtoofficiallywithdrawfromanyunitsyouareenrolledinwithyouroriginalprovider.Youneedtodothisbeforethecensusdate,otherwiseyouwillstillhavetopaythestudentcontributionsfortheunitsyouwithdrewfrom.Youwillneedtocheckandfollowyourprovider’swithdrawalprocedures(see section 6.1).

2.8 What if my eligibility changes after I submit the form?

Ifthishappens,youneedtoadviseyourproviderinwritingofthechange.Youmayalsoneedtogivethemevidenceofthechange–e.g.yourCertificateofAustralianCitizenship(see section 2.2).

YouhavesixweeksfromthecensusdateofaunittocorrectinformationyouhavesubmittedaboutyourentitlementtoHECS-HELP.ThisincludescollectingandsubmittingthedocumentsyouneedtoprovethatyouareanAustraliancitizen–butyoustillneedtohavesubmittedyourformandobtainedcitizenshipbythecensusdate.

Thissixweekperiodcan’tbeusedasanextensionoftimesothatyoucanapplyforcitizenshiporgetyourformin.Itjustgivesyouthechancetocollectthedocumentsyouneedtoproveyourentitlementtotheloanortocorrectinformationonthatformasatthecensusdate.


2.9 Can I enrol in units at different providers?

Yes.YoucanenrolinunitsasaCommonwealthsupportedstudentatdifferentprovidersaslongas:

• theunitscontributetowardstherequirementsofthecourseyouareenrolledinasaCommonwealthsupportedstudent–e.g.cross-institutionalstudy;and

• youremaineligibleforCommonwealthsupport(see section 2.1).


3. stUdent ContribUtion AmoUnts for CommonWeAlth sUpported plACes

3.1 How much will I pay for my Commonwealth supported place?

TheAustralianGovernmentfundsCommonwealthsupportedplacesbypayinggrantstoapprovedproviders(providers).

InadditiontothisGovernmentcontribution(seeAppendix D),Commonwealthsupportedstudentspayastudentcontributionamountforeachunitofstudytheyundertake.

TheGovernmentgroupsdifferentareasofstudyintofour‘Bands’(seeTable 1)andsetsamaximumamountthatyourprovidercanchargeyouforindividualunitsineachband(see Table 1).

Forexample,basedonthe2012rates,athreeyeareducationdegreeundertakenasaCommonwealthsupportedstudentwouldhaveastudentcontributionamountofaround$16,944forthatdurationifalltheirunitswereclassifiedasBand1.Alternatively,athreeyearaccountingdegreewouldhaveastudentcontributionofaround$28,275ifalltheunitswereclassifiedasBand3.

Yourproviderdeterminesthestudentcontributionitwillchargeforeachunit.Mostproviderschargethemaximumrate.Theamountsincreaseslightlyeachyearduetoindexation.

How do I calculate the student contribution amount for an individual unit?

Yourstudentcontributionamountwilldependon:

• themaximumandminimumrangesetbytheGovernmentforthestudentcontributionbandthatyourunitfitsinto;

• theweightoftheunit–i.e.itsequivalentfull-timestudentloadvalue(checkwithyourproviderifyoudon’tknowtheEFTSLvalueofyourunits);and

• theyearyoubeganyourcourseofstudy(seeAppendix B).


Table 1: 2012 Student contribution amounts

Student contribution bandStudent contribution

range (per EFTSL)

Band 3 Law,dentistry,medicine,veterinaryscience,accounting,administration,economics,commerce(seenote1)

$0–$9,425

Band 2 Computing,builtenvironment,otherhealth,Alliedhealth,engineering,surveying,agriculture

$0–$8,050

Band 1 Humanities,behaviouralscience,socialstudies,education,clinicalpsychology,foreignlanguages,visualandperformingarts,nursing(seenotes2and4)

$0–$5,648

National Priorities Band

Mathematics,statistics,science(seenotes3and4)

$0–$4,520

Notes:

1) IfyoubeganyourcourseasaCommonwealthsupportedstudentbefore1January2008,youmaybechargedlessthanthemaximumamountintable1forunitsinaccounting,administration,economicsandcommerce.Formoreinformation,see Appendix B.

2) IfyoubeganyourcourseasaCommonwealthsupportedstudentbefore1January2010,youmaybechargedlessthanthemaximumamountintable1forunitsineducationandnursing.Formoreinformation,see Appendix B.

3) Ifyoubeganyourcoursebefore1January2009youmaybechargedmorethanthecurrentNationalPriorityBandrateinTable1forunitsinmathematics,statisticsandscience.Formoreinformation,see Appendix B.

4) Ifyouareamaths,science,education,nursingormidwiferygraduateyoumaybeeligibleforaHECS-HELPBenefit,see Appendix C.

Youshouldbearinmindthatindividualunitsinacoursecanbeclassifiedindifferentbands.Forexample,aBachelorofNursingcoursemayrequiresomeunitsthatareclassifiedas‘health’,someas‘nursing’andsomeas‘science’.YourprovidercansetthestudentcontributionamountsforthehealthunitsuptothemaximumforBand2,forthenursingunitsuptothemaximumforBand1andforscienceunitsuptothemaximumfortheNationalPriorityBand.


Tocalculateyourstudentcontributionamountforeachunit,youfirstneedtofindoutfromyourproviderwhatBandrateappliestoyourunit.

Example: Working out the student contribution amount for a unit

LibbybeginsaBachelorofArtsin2012andoneoftheunitsinwhichsheenrolsisHistoryA01.Herproviderhassetthestudentcontributionamountforthisunitat$5,648foroneEFTSL.TheunithasanEFTSLvalueof0.125.

Shecanusethisformulatocalculateherstudentcontributionamount:

Student contribution amount set by the provider

X EFTSL value of the unit

ForLibby’sHistoryA01unit,thecalculationwouldbe:

$5,648 X 0.125 = $706.00

The result is rounded down to the nearest dollar.

3.2 Are Commonwealth supported places available at the postgraduate level?

Mostpostgraduatestudentsstudyinafeepayingplace,buttherearesomeCommonwealthsupportedplacesavailableatthepostgraduatelevel.However,thesearegenerallycoursesthatare,oraremovingtowardsbeing,anacceptedentry-levelqualificationforaprofession,orwhereprofessionalentrytrainingisonlyofferedatthepostgraduatelevel.ContactyourintendedproviderformoreinformationaboutwhetheritoffersCommonwealthsupportedplacesatthepostgraduatelevel.


4. Using heCs-help to pAy yoUr stUdent ContribUtions

4.1 What is HECS-HELP?


TheAustralianGovernmenthasannouncedthereductionoftheHECS-HELPdiscountfrom20%to10%from1January2012,subjecttothepassageoflegislation.

Refertowww.goingtouni.gov.auforup-to-dateinformationonthestatusofthelegislation.

HECS-HELPisaschemethathelpseligiblestudentspaytheirstudentcontributionsforunitsofstudyinwhichtheyareenrolledasaCommonwealthsupportedstudent.

EligiblestudentscantakeoutaHECS-HELPloanforeitherallorpartoftheirstudentcontributions,oraccesstheHECS-HELPdiscountiftheychoosetopay$500ormoreoftheirstudentcontributionsup-front.

4.2 Am I eligible for HECS-HELP?

YouareeligibleforHECS-HELPifyouareenrolledasaCommonwealthsupportedstudentandareeither:

anAustralian citizen ora permanent‘humanitarian’ visa holder

resident in Australia for the duration of your unit

Who is not eligible for HECS-HELP?

NewZealandcitizensandpermanentvisaholders(non-humanitariansubclass)arenoteligibletoaccessaHECS-HELPloan(orthediscountforup-frontpayments)topaytheirstudentcontributions.Theymustpaytheirstudentcontributionsup-frontandinfullbythecensusdatesetbytheirapprovedprovider(provider).


4.3 How do I apply for HECS-HELP?

ToapplyforHECS-HELPyouneedto:

• completeandsubmitasignedRequest for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELPformtoyourproviderbythecensusdate(oradministrativedate)setbyyourprovider(see section 1.4);and

• supplyyourtaxfilenumber(see sections 2.5 and 2.6)ifyouintendtopayyourstudentcontributionswithaHECS-HELPloan;or

• pay80%ofyourstudentcontributionsup-fronttoyourprovider.Thisisafullup-frontpayment,astheGovernmentwillpaytheremaining20%toyourprovider–thisisyourHECS-HELPdiscount(see section 4.5).

4.4 Do I have to provide my tax file number (TFN)?

IfyouareanAustraliancitizenorapermanenthumanitarianvisaholder,youhavetoprovideyourTFNontheformifyouwanttogetaHECS-HELPloantopayyourstudentcontributions.

Evenifyouwanttopayyourstudentcontributionsup-front,it’sstillagoodideatoprovideyourTFNasasafetynetsothatyoucanstillgetaHECS-HELPloanifyouforgettomakeyourup-frontpaymentintime.Refertosection 2.6forinformationabouthowtoobtainaTFN.

4.5 How the HECS-HELP discount works

Making a full up-front payment

Topayyourfullstudentcontributionforastudyperiodup-front,youonlyneedtopay80%ofthetotalbecauseyougeta20%discount.Youneedtomakethispaymentbythecensusdate(oradministrativedatesetbyyourprovider)foryourunits.

Yourprovidercannotacceptapaymentofmorethan80%ofyourstudentcontributionforanyparticularunit.


Example

DanielisenrolledinfourunitsaspartofaBachelorofEngineering,allwithacensusdateof31March2012,andiseligibleforHECS-HELP.Thetotalstudentcontributionfortheseunitsforonesemesteris$4,025.

Danielwantstopayhisfullstudentcontributionforthesemesterup-front.Todoso,hepays$3,220(80%of$4,025)tohisproviderby31March2012.(TheGovernmentpaystheremaining$805directlytotheprovider.ThisisDaniel’s20%HECS-HELPdiscount.)

Ifyoudon’tintendtogetaHECS-HELPloan,youdon’tneedtoprovideyourTFNonyourform.However,youmaywishtoprovideitanywaysothatyoucanstillgetaHECS-HELPloanifyoucannotmakethefullup-frontpaymentbythecensusdate(oradministrativedatesetbyyourprovider).

Making a partial up-front payment

Ifyoupaylessthan80%ofyourfullstudentcontributionfortherelevantsemester,thisisapartialup-frontpayment.Thesepaymentsneedtobemadebythecensusdate(oradministrativedate).Youwillgeta20%discountonanypartialup-frontpaymentof$500ormore.

Ifyouintendtomakeapartialup-frontpayment,youneedtoprovideyourTFN(oraCertificate of application for a tax file number)onyourformso,thattheremainingamountcanbepaidwithaHECS-HELPloanbythecorrectdate–see section 1.4.

Tocalculatetherealvalueofyourpaymentincludingthediscount,multiplyyourpaymentby1.25.TocalculatetheamountofyourstudentcontributionthatwillbecomeaHECS-HELPdebt,subtractyourup-frontpaymentandthediscountfromthetotal.


Example

NicoleenrolsinfourunitsaspartofherBachelorofEngineering,allwithacensusdateof31March2012,andiseligibleforHECS-HELP.Thetotalstudentcontributionfortheseunitsforonesemesteris$4,025.

Shemakesapartialup-frontpaymentof$500beforethecensusdate.Thevalueofherpayment,includingthediscount,is$500x1.25=$625.

HerHECS-HELPdebtwillthereforebe$4,025–$625=$3,400.

TheGovernmentwillpaythisamount($3,400),plustheamountofthediscount($625–$500=$125)toNicole’sprovideronherbehalf.Shewillhavetostartrepayingherdebt($3,400)whensheearnsabovetheATO’sminimumthresholdforcompulsoryrepayment.

Remember:

IfyouhaveprovidedyourTFNandareeligibleforHECS-HELP,yourunpaidstudentcontributionamountautomaticallybecomesaHECS-HELPloanand,oncereportedtotheATO,becomesanaccumulatedHELPdebtthatyouwillstartrepayingwhenyourincomeexceedstherepaymentthreshold.

4.6 What if I become an Australian citizen after I have submitted my form?

IfyoubecomeeligibleforHECS-HELPbybecominganAustraliancitizenafteryouhavesubmittedyourform(butbythecensusdate),youneedtoinformyourproviderinwritingofthischangeandgivethemevidenceofthechange(suchasyourCertificateofAustralianCitizenship–see section 2.2).

YouhavesixweeksfromthecensusdateofaunittocorrectinformationyouhavesubmittedaboutyourentitlementtoHECS-HELP.ThisincludescollectingandsubmittingthedocumentsyouneedtoprovethatyouareanAustraliancitizen,butyoustillneedtohavesubmittedyourformandobtainedcitizenshipbythecensusdate.

Thissixweekperiodcan’tbeusedasanextensionoftimesothatyoucanapplyforcitizenshiporgetyourformin.Itjustgivesyouthechancetocollectthedocumentsyouneedtoproveyourentitlementtotheloanortocorrectinformationonthatformasatthecensusdate.


4.7 What are my student contribution payment options under HECS-HELP?


TheAustralianGovernmenthasannounceditsintentiontolowertheHECS-HELPdiscountfrom20%to10%from1January2012,subjecttothepassageoflegislation.

Refertowww.goingtouni.gov.auforup-to-dateinformationregardingthestatusofthelegislation.

IfyouareeligibleforHECS-HELP,youhavethreeoptionsforpayingyourstudentcontributions:

1) paythefullamountup-front(youwillgetthethe20%discount);

2) paypartoftheamountup-frontandtakeoutaHECS-HELPloanfortheremainder(youwillgettheHECS-HELPdiscountforup-frontpaymentsof$500ormore);or

3) takeoutaHECS-HELPloanforthefullamount.

Ifyoudon’tpayyourfullstudentcontributionup-frontandhavenotprovidedaTFN(oraCertificate of application for a tax file number–see section 2.6)bythecensusdatetoaccessaHECS-HELPloan,yourprovidermustcancelyourenrolmentasaCommonwealthsupportedstudent.Yourprovidercannotacceptanup-frontstudentcontributionpaymentafterthisdeadline.


Payment options for student contributions under HECS-HELP

Option 1

Paythefullamountup-fronttoaccesstheHECS-HELPdiscount.

Option 3

Paypartoftheamountup-frontanduseaHECS-HELPloanfortheremainder.

Forup-frontpaymentsof$500ormore,youwillreceivetheHECS-HELPdiscountonthatamount.

YoutakeoutaHECS-HELPloanfortheremainder.

Option 2

UseaHECS-HELPloanforthefullamount.

Anyamountnotcoveredbyanup-frontpaymentispaidwithaHECS-HELPloan.TheAustralianTaxationOffice(ATO)recordsyourHECS-HELPloanasadebtagainstyourtaxfilenumber(seeSection 7formoreinformation).

YourHECS-HELPloan(andanyotherloansaccessedundertheHELPscheme)areconsolidatedintoyouraccumulated HELP debt.YourHELPdebtwillbeindexedannuallyon1June(i.e.increasedinlinewithmovementsintheConsumerPriceIndex).

IfyourincomeisatorbelowtheATO’sminimumrepaymentthresholdforthefinancialyear,acompulsoryrepaymentWILL NOTberequired.

IfyourincomeisabovetheATO’sminimumrepaymentthresholdforthefinancialyear,acompulsoryrepaymentWILL BErequired.

TheATOcalculatesyourcompulsoryrepaymentamountfortheyear.

YoucanmakevoluntaryrepaymentstotheATOatanytimeandgetabonusforpaymentsof$500ormore(seeSection 7formoreinformationaboutrepayingyourHELPdebt).


4.8 Can I change my payment option?

YouhaveuntilthecensusdatetochangeyourHECS-HELPpaymentoption.

Theformasksyoutoindicateyourpaymentoptionforthestudentcontribution.Youdon’thavetostickwiththeoptionyouchooseontheformforeachstudyperiod.Youcanstillmakeanyup-frontpaymentsbythecensusdate.IfyouhaveprovidedyourTFNoryourCertificate of application for a TFN,anyunpaidamountwillautomaticallybecomeaHECS-HELPloanifyouareeligibleforHECS-HELP–nomatterwhatoptionyouindicatedontheform.

Forexample,ifyouindicatedontheformthatyouintendedtogetaHECS-HELPloanforyourfullstudentcontributionbutyounowwanttomakeanup-frontpayment,youdon’tneedtofilloutanotherform,justmakethepaymenttoyourproviderbythecensusdate.

4.9 Does an existing HELP debt affect my eligibility for HECS-HELP?

No.AnexistingHELPdebtdoesnotaffectyoureligibilityforHECS-HELP.

4.10 Can I get a HECS-HELP loan if I’m a mature aged student or studying part-time?

YoureligibilityforHECS-HELPisnotaffectedbyyourageorwhetheryoustudypart-time.

4.11 Do my assets or income affect my eligibility for HECS-HELP?

No.YourassetsorincomedonotaffectyoureligibilityforHECS-HELP.However,yourincomewillaffectwhenyoubeginrepayingyourdebt(see section 7.2).

4.12 Is my student contribution tax deductible?

No.Yourstudentcontributionisn’ttaxdeductibleevenifyoupayitup-front.ThisisbecauseyourenrolmentasaCommonwealthsupportedstudentisalreadysubsidisedbytheGovernmentsothatyouonlyhavetopay‘studentcontributions’foryourunitsofstudy.


5. hoW to keep trACk of yoUr heCs-help

5.1 Your Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN)

Whenyoufirstapplyforadmissiontoyourapprovedprovider(provider),orTertiaryAdmissionsCentre,theywillallocateyouaCHESSN.TheCHESSNisauniqueidentifierthatremainswithyouthroughoutyourstudiesandafterwards.Ithelpsyou,providersandtheAustralianGovernmentkeepuptodateinformationabouttheCommonwealthassistanceforhighereducationthatyoumayhaveused.

YoucanuseyourCHESSN(andotherpersonalidentifyingdetails)toaccessmyUniAssistatwww.goingtouni.gov.au,whichprovidesinformationabouthowmuchCommonwealthassistanceyouhaveused.

YouwillbenotifiedofyourCHESSNinyourCommonwealthAssistanceNotice.

IfyouhaveanyquestionsorneedanyhelpwithyourCHESSN,pleasecontactyourprovider.

5.2 Your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN)

YourproviderwillsendyouaCAN28 daysafterthecensusdateofeachstudyperiod.Thisnoticewilldetail:

• thestudentcontributionamountsyouhavebeenchargedfortheunitsyouareenrolledin;and

• theamountofHECS-HELPdebtyouhaveincurredforthatsemester,ifyouareusingHECS-HELPtopayyourstudentcontributions.

Is your CAN correct?

YoushouldcheckthedetailsonyourCANcarefully.Inparticular,makesure:

• thestudentcontributionamountsontheCANarethesameasthosepublishedonyourprovider’swebsite(orinvoiceissuedtoyou);and

• theCANdoesn’tincludeanyunitsyouwithdrewfrombythecensusdate.


IfyouthinkthereareincorrectdetailsonyourCAN,youhave14 days(someprovidersmayallowmoretime)fromthedateoftheCANtosubmitawrittenrequestforcorrection.

YoushouldkeepallCANsthataresenttoyousothatyouhavearecordofthetotalamountofassistanceyouhaveusedasaCommonwealthsupportedstudent.TheCANsareahandywayforyoutokeeptrackofyourentitlementsasyouprogressthroughyourcourse.

5.3 What is myUniAssist?

YoucancheckhowmuchCommonwealthassistanceyouhaveusedonmyUniAssistatwww.goingtouni.gov.au tokeeptrackofyourentitlements.YouwillneedyourCHESSN(see section 5.1)tologin.

AsthereisnofinanciallimitontheamountofHECS-HELPeligiblestudentscanuse,myUniAssistwillnotshowthisinformation.

FeepayingstudentswhouseFEE-HELPtopaytheirtuitionfeescanusemyUniAssistasonewayofcheckingtheyhaveenoughFEE-HELPbalancetocovertheirtuitionfees(refertotheFEE-HELP information 2012 bookletformoreinformationonFEE-HELPandtheFEE-HELPbalance).

Note: How to use the information on myUniAssist

ItisimportantthatstudentsunderstandthatDEEWRmustvalidatethedatasubmittedbyapprovedproviderstoensureitiscorrectbeforeDEEWRcanuploadthatinformationforstudentsonmyUniAssistandreportthatdatatotheAustralianTaxationOffice.

Giventhetimelag,youmayneedtoaddanyunitsyouhaverecentlyenrolledin/arecurrentlyenrolledin(refertoyourCANfortherelevantstudyperiod)totheinformationshownonmyUniAssisttodetermineyourentitlements.


6. WithdrAWing from stUdies

6.1 How do I withdraw from a unit?

TowithdrawfromaunitwithoutincurringaHECS-HELPdebtfortheunitorlosinganup-frontpayment,youneedtofollowtheformalwithdrawalproceduresofyourapprovedprovider(provider)bythecensusdate.

Youneedtocompletetheformalwithdrawalprocessforeveryunityouwanttowithdrawfrom.Ifthecourseofstudyyouarewithdrawingfrominvolvedbeingenrolledwithmorethanoneprovider,youneedtoformallywithdrawfromeachprovider.

Themainpointsare:

• yourformalwithdrawalneedstobeinwritingontheformrequiredbyyourprovider;

• youneedtosubmitthisformintimeforittobedeliveredandprocessedbythecensusdate;

• youmayneedtowithdrawonline–checkwiththestudentadministrationareaatyourprovider;and

• keepacopyofyourwithdrawaldocumentationasconfirmationthatyoucompletedyourprovider’sformalwithdrawalproceduresbythecensusdate.

Fordetailsorifyouneedanyhelpwiththeprocess,contactyourprovider.

Thecensusdateisnotthesamethingastheacademicwithdrawaldate–thedatesetbyyourproviderforwithdrawingfromaunitwithouthavingafailgraderecordedonyouracademictranscript.

6.2 What happens if I withdraw by the census date?

Ifyouformallywithdrawfromaunitbythecensusdate,youwillnotberequiredtopaythestudentcontributionamountforthatunit.Ifyoumadeanup-frontstudentcontributionpaymentfortheunit,youwillgetarefundfromyourprovider.IfyouchosetouseHECS-HELPforthestudentcontribution,youwillnotincuraHECS-HELPdebtfortheunit.


6.3 What happens if I withdraw after the census date?

Ifyouwithdrawfromaunitafterthecensusdate,youwillberequiredtopaythestudentcontributionforthatunit.Ifyoumadeanup-frontstudentcontributionpaymentfortheunityouwillnotbeabletogetarefund.IfyouprovidedyourtaxfilenumbertoyourprovidereitherasasafetynetortogetaHECS-HELPloan,youwillincuraHECS-HELPdebtfortheunit.

Youcannottransferordeferthisdebttoanotherunitofstudy.

Ifyouwithdrawfromaunitafterthecensusdatebecauseyoubecomeseriouslyillorbecauseofother‘specialcircumstances’(see section 6.7),youcanapplytoyourprovidertohavetheHECS-HELPdebtfortheunitremoved.

6.4 Will changing my study load affect my eligibility for Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY or Pensioner Education Supplement?

Itmay.YouneedtonotifyCentrelinkwithin14 daysafteryouchangeyourstudyload.Theywillthenassesswhetheryouremaineligibleforincomesupport.Formoreinformation,contactCentrelink(see Contacts).

6.5 What happens if I fail a unit?

Ifyoufailaunit,youstillhavetopaythestudentcontribution,regardlessofwhetheryouattendedanyclassesorwillrepeattheunit.Youwon’tgetarefundforanyup-frontpaymentandanyHECS-HELPdebtyouincurredwillremain.Studentswhofailaunitwillberequiredtopayforthatunitasecondtimeiftheyundertakeitagain.

Incertain‘specialcircumstances’(see section 6.7)youcanapplytoyourprovidertohavetheHECS-HELPdebtfortheunitremoved.

6.6 What happens if I transfer to a different provider?

Ifyouchangeproviders,youneedtowithdrawfromyouroriginalprovider.Checkwiththeprovidertofindouttheircorrectprocedureforthis.

Youwillalsoneedtoformallywithdraw(see section 6.1)fromanysubsequentunitsyouareenrolledinwithyouroriginalprovider.


6.7 How can I apply to have my HECS-HELP debt removed under ‘special circumstances’?

ToremoveanyassociatedHECS-HELPdebtandrefundanyup-frontpayments,yourprovidermustbesatisfiedthatspecialcircumstancesappliedtoyouandthatthecircumstances:

• werebeyondyourcontrol;and

• didnotmaketheirfullimpactonyouuntilonorafterthecensusdate;and

• weresuchthattheymadeitimpracticableforyoutocompleteyourunit(s)ofstudyrequirements.

YourproviderwillassessyourapplicationinaccordancewiththerequirementsoftheHigher Education Support Act 2003anditsassociatedguidelines.Youwillneedtoprovideindependentsupportingdocumentationtosupportyourclaimthatspecialcircumstancesoccurred.

Ifyouhavesuccessfullycompletedaunitofstudy,youcannotapplytohaveyourHECS-HELPdebtremovedforthatunit.

How to apply

Youneedtoapplytoyourprovider.Yourapplicationmustindicatetheunit(s)ofstudyforwhichyouareseekingtohaveyourHECS-HELPdebtremoved.Itmustalsodetailthespecialcircumstancesthatyoubelievemadeitimpracticableforyoutocompletethoseunits.Youshouldcontactyourprovidertofindouthowtosubmitanapplicationunderthesecircumstances.

Time limit for applying

Yourapplicationmustreachyourproviderwithin12 monthsofyourwithdrawalday.

The‘withdrawalday’isthedayyourproviderspecifiesinitsnoticetoyouasthedaythewithdrawaltakeseffect.Ifyouhavenotwithdrawn,your‘withdrawalday’isthelastdayoftheperiodinwhichyouweretoundertaketheunit.

Yourprovidermayextendthetimelimitifitissatisfiedthatitwasnotpossibleforyoutoapplywithinthe12months.


Can I appeal the decision?

Ifyouareunhappywithyourprovider’sdecision,youmustapplytotheminwritingwithin28 days(ortheperiodallowedbyyourprovider)forareviewoftheirdecision.

Ifyouareunhappywiththerevieweddecision,youhave28 daystoapplytotheAdministrativeAppealsTribunal(AAT)foranindependentreview.Formoreinformation,visitwww.aat.gov.au.


7. repAying yoUr help debt

7.1 What is a HELP debt?

YourHELPdebtismadeupofanyHECS-HELP,FEE-HELP,VETFEE-HELPorOS-HELPdebtsyouhaveincurred.AllyourHELPdebtsareaddedtogetherandarereferredtoasyour‘accumulatedHELPdebt’.

7.2 When do I start repaying my HELP debt?

YouwillstartrepayingyouraccumulatedHELPdebtwhenyourrepayment incomeisabovetheminimum compulsory repayment threshold.Thisthresholdisadjustedeachincomeyear.Forthe2011–12incomeyearthethresholdis$47,195.

RepaymentsareforyouraccumulatedHELPdebt,notforeachindividualloanyoumayhaveused.

Evenifyouarestillstudying,ifyourrepaymentincomeisovertheminimumthresholdyouwillstartrepayingyourHELPdebt.

TheAustralianTaxationOffice(ATO)worksoutyourrepaymentincomefromtheamountsgivenonyourincometaxreturnfor:

• yourtaxableincome;

• reportablefringebenefits(reported on your payment summary);

• totalnetinvestmentloss(whichincludesnetrentallosses);

• reportablesupercontributions;

• exemptforeignemploymentincomeamounts;

Formoreinformationonthis,contacttheATO(see Contacts).

YoucanalsomakevoluntaryrepaymentsofyouraccumulatedHELPdebt(see sections 7.9-7.11).

7.3 How much will my repayments be?

Theamountyourepayeachyearisapercentageofyourrepaymentincome.Thepercentageincreasesasyourincomeincreases.TheATOwillcalculateyourcompulsoryrepaymentfortheyearandincludeitonyourincometaxnotice.


Table2showstherepaymentratesforthe2011-12financialyear.

Table 2: 2011-12 repayment rates

Repayment income in the range:Repayment rate (% of repayment income)

Below$47,196 Nil

$47,196–$52,572 4.0%

$52,573–$57,947 4.5%

$57,948–$60,993 5.0%

$60,994–$65,563 5.5%

$65,564–$71,006 6.0%

$71,007–$74,743 6.5%

$74,744–$82,253 7.0%

$82,254–$87,649 7.5%

$87,650andabove 8.0%

Compulsoryrepaymentscontinueuntilyouhaverepaidyourwholedebt.Yourcompulsoryrepaymentincreasesasyourrepaymentincomeincreases.Themoreyouearn,thehigheryourrepayment.Yourcompulsoryrepaymentisbasedonyourincomealone,nottheincomeofyourparentsorspouse.

Youmuststartrepayingyourdebtwhenyourrepaymentincomeisabovetheminimumrepaymentthreshold,evenifyouarestudying.

Example

Heath’staxableincomeforthe2011-12incomeyearis$47,820.Inhisincometaxreturn,heclaimsatotalnetinvestmentlossof$2,250andhasatotalreportablefringebenefitsamountof$3,890,areportablesupercontributionamountof$1,500andanexemptforeignemploymentincomeamountof$2,580.

Heath’srepaymentincomeis:

$47,820+$2,250+$3,890+$1,500+$2,580=$58,040.

Heath’scompulsoryrepaymentfor2011-12is:$58,040x5.0%=$2,902.

IfthecalculatedrepaymentamountismorethanthebalanceofyouraccumulatedHELPdebt,youonlypaythebalance.


7.4 Is interest charged on my debt?

Youarenotchargedinterestonyourdebt.However,youraccumulatedHELPdebtisadjusted(indexed)on1 JuneeachyeartoreflectchangesintheConsumerPriceIndex(CPI).IndexationmaintainstherealvalueofthedebtbyadjustingitinlinewithchangesinthecostoflivingasmeasuredbytheCPI.TheindexationfigureiscalculatedeachyearaftertheMarchCPIisreleased.YoucanfindoutcurrentandpastindexationratesfromtheATOwebsite.

HELPdebtsarenotindexeduntiltheyare11monthsold.

AnydebtyouincurbetweenJanuary2012andJune2012willbeindexedon1June2013andtheindexedamountwillbecomepartofyouraccumulatedHELPdebt.

AnydebtyouincurredbetweenJuly2012andDecember2012willbeindexedon1June2014andwillalsobecomepartofyouraccumulateddebt.

7.5 Repayments from job, benefit or superannuation income

Ifyouearnincomefromajob,benefitorcompensationpaymentsorsuperannuation,youremployerorotherpayermaywithholdamountsfromyourpaytocoveryourcompulsoryHELPdebtrepayments.

YouneedtoadviseyourpayerifyouhaveanaccumulatedHELPdebtonaTax file number (TFN)declarationorWithholding declarationform.IfyoudohaveaHELPdebt,yourpayerhastowithholdadditionalamountsfromyourpayonceyouearnovertheminimumrepaymentthreshold.

TheadditionalamountswithheldaretocoveranycompulsoryHELPrepaymentyoumayhavetomakefortheyear.TheyarenotcreditedtoyourHELPaccount,butformpartofthe‘totaltaxwithheld’shownonyourannualPAYG payment summaryandonyourincometaxnoticeofassessmentat‘PAYGcreditsandotherentitlements’.Yourcompulsoryrepaymentwillnotbecalculateduntilyourincometaxreturnforthatyearisprocessed.Ifyouhadtoomuchwithheldduringtheyearandyouhavenootheroutstandingdebts,theATOwillrefundtheexcesstoyou.


Payments from more than one payer

Ifyouearnmorethantherepaymentthresholdforafinancialyearfromallyourjobs,acompulsoryrepaymentmaybeincludedonyournextnoticeofassessment.

Youcanaskoneormoreofyourpayerstowithholdadditionalamountstocoveranycompulsoryrepayment.Todothis,completeaWithholding declaration – upwards variationform(availablefromtheATO).

Holiday or temporary jobs

Ifyouhaveaholidayortemporaryjobandyouearnovertheweeklyminimumrepaymentthresholdbutyourrepaymentincomeforthewholeincomeyearisnotabovetheannualminimumrepaymentthreshold,youcanapplytotheATOtogetyourpayertostopwithholdingadditionalamountsforyourHELPdebt.YouwillneedtosubmitaPAYG withholding variation application 2012form(availablefromtheATO).Youcanlodgeyourapplicationelectronicallyatwww.ato.gov.au.

No compulsory repayment required because of low family income

IfyourfamilyincomeislowenoughtoentitleyoutoareductionoftheMedicarelevyoryoudonothavetopaytheMedicarelevy,youwillnothavetomakeacompulsoryHELPrepaymentforthatyear.YoucansubmitaMedicare levy variation declarationform(availablefromtheATO)toyourpayerandtheywillstopwithholdingadditionalamountsforthatyear.

7.6 Repayments from business or investment income

IfyouusethePAYGinstalmentssystemtomakepaymentstowardsyourexpectedtaxliabilityonyourbusinessandinvestmentincomeforthecurrentincomeyear,theATOwillnotifyyouofaninstalmentamountthattakesintoaccountanyaccumulatedHELPdebt.

7.7 What if I disagree with my compulsory repayment?

Youshouldcheckallthedetailsonyourincometaxnoticeofassessmentagainstthedetailsinyourincometaxreturn.Ifyouthinkthereisaproblem,contacttheATO.Whenyouphone,haveyournoticeofassessmentand,ifpossible,acopyofyourincometaxreturnwithyou.

IfafterspeakingtotheATOyoustillbelievethatthedetailsonyournoticeofassessmentarewrong,youcanrequestanamendmentorlodgeanobjection.ContacttheATOforinformationonhowtodothis.


7.8 What if I have difficulties making my compulsory repayment?

Ifyoubelievethatmakingyourcompulsoryrepaymentwouldcauseyouserioushardshiporthatthereareotherspecialreasonswhyyoushouldnothavetomakeacompulsoryrepayment,youmayapplytotheATOtohavethatamount(orpartofit)deferred.TodothisyouneedtocompletetheformDeferring your compulsory HELP, HECS or Financial Supplement repayment(availablefromtheATOwebsite).Theformasksforadetailedstatementofyourhouseholdincomeandexpendituretojustifyyourclaimofserioushardship.

TherearetimelimitsforapplyingtodeferyourcompulsoryHELPrepayment,dependingontheincomeyear.ThereisatwoyeartimelimitonapplyingforadefermentofyourcompulsoryHELPrepaymentsfromthe2005-06incomeyearandonwards.YoucanapplytodeferyourcompulsoryHECSrepayment(i.e.relatingtoadebtfrom2004–05andearlier)atanytime.

TheATOwillwritetosaywhetheryourapplicationissuccessful.Ifyouareunhappywiththedecision,youmayapply(within28 daysafterthedayyoureceivenoticeofthedecision)tohaveitreviewed.

IfafterthereviewyoustillbelievetheATOhasmadethewrongdecision,youmaythenapplytotheAdministrativeAppealsTribunal(AAT)forareview.YouneedtolodgeyourapplicationwiththeAATwithin28 daysafterthedayyoureceivetheletteradvisingyouoftheoutcomeofthereview.

Formoreinformationonapplyingtodeferacompulsoryrepayment,includingtimelimits,contacttheATO.

7.9 Can I make voluntary repayments?

Yes.YoucanmakeavoluntaryrepaymenttotheATOatanytimeandforanyamount.Makingavoluntaryrepaymentreducesyourdebtimmediately.

Voluntaryrepaymentsareinadditiontocompulsoryrepayments.Theyarenotrefundable.

Youmaystillhavetomakeacompulsoryrepayment,aftermakingavoluntaryrepayment.


7.10 Can I get a bonus for voluntary repayments?

Changes to the HELP bonus for voluntary repayments

TheAustralianGovernmenthasannouncedareductionintheHELPbonusforvoluntaryrepaymentsof$500ormorefrom10%to5%from1January2012,subjecttothepassageoflegislation.

Refertowww.goingtouni.gov.auforup-to-dateinformationonthestatusofthislegislation.

Ifyoumakeavoluntaryrepaymentof$500ormore,youwillreceiveabonusof10%.Thismeansyouraccountwillbecreditedwithanadditional10%ofyourpayment.Thebonusis10%ofthepaymentthatyoumake,not10%oftheoutstandingdebt.Youwillnotreceiveabonusonrepaymentamountsthataremorethanthebalanceofyouraccount.Toworkouthowmuchyouneedtorepaytopayoffyourtotaldebt,divideyourtotaldebtby1.10.

ExampleJennyhasadebtof$5,250andmakesa$2,500voluntaryrepayment.Withthe10%bonus,thevalueofherrepaymentis:$2,750($2,500x1.10).

Jenny’stotaldebtisreducedto:$2,500($5,250–$2,750).

Jenny’sbonusamountis:$250($2,750-$2,500).

IfyouhaveanyHELPdebtsthathavenotbeenreportedtotheATOatthetimeyoumakethevoluntaryrepayment,the10%bonuswillbereversedoradjustedoncethosedebtsaretransferredtoyouraccount.

ThereisusuallyadelaybetweenthecensusdateforaunitofstudyandwhentheATOreceivesandrecordsyourdebtforthatunit.ContacttheATOifyouwanttomakeavoluntaryrepaymentagainstadebtforaunityouhaveonlyrecentlyenrolledin.

Youmaybenefitfrommakingavoluntaryrepaymentbeforeindexationisappliedon1 June.Ifyouwanttodothis,allowenoughtimeforthepaymenttobereceivedandprocessedtoyouraccountbefore1 June.

Ifyouwanttopayoffyourtotaldebtwithavoluntaryrepayment,youshouldmaketherepaymentbeforeyoulodgeyourincometaxreturn.Otherwiseacompulsoryrepaymentmaybeincludedinyourincometaxnoticeofassessmentandyoumaynotreceivethe10%bonus.


The10%HELPbonusforvoluntaryrepaymentsisdifferenttotheHECS-HELPdiscountforup-frontstudentcontributionpaymentsof$500ormore.

7.11 How do I make a voluntary repayment?

Thereareseveralwaysyoucanmakeavoluntaryrepayment.YouwillneedyourPaymentReferenceNumber(PRN)tomakeavoluntaryrepayment.

What is my Payment Reference Number?

YourPRNisyourcustomerreferencenumber.Itisprintedonthefrontofyourpaymentsliporonyouraccountinformationstatement.IfyoupayusingBPAY,creditcardordirectcredityouwillneedthisnumber.

Electronic payments

YoucanmakeelectronicpaymentsthroughBPAYordirectcredit.TodothisyouwillneedthePRNprintedonthefrontofyourpaymentsliporonyouraccountinformationstatement.

PaymentsmadeoutofhoursoronaweekendorpublicholidaywillnotreachtheATOuntilthenextworkingday.IfyouwantthepaymenttoreachtheATObyaspecificdateyoushouldcheckprocessingtimeswithyourbank.

BPAY®

DetailsyouwillneedtomakeapaymenttotheATOusingBPAYthroughtelephoneorinternetbanking:

Billercode: 75556Reference: Your PRN

®RegisteredtoBPAYPTYLTDABN69079137518

Creditcard

Creditcardpaymentscanbemadeonlineorbyphone.TomakeacreditcardpaymenttotheATOyouwillneed:

• acurrentVisa,MasterCardorAmericanExpresscard;and

• yourPRN.

Acreditcardfeeappliestotransactionsmadeusingthecreditcardpaymentservice.


Tomakecreditcardpaymentsonlineorforfurtherinformationgotowww.ato.gov.au/howtopay.

Tomakecreditcardpaymentsbyphonecall1300 898 089.

Directcredit

DetailsyouwillneedtomakeapaymenttotheATOthroughanonlinedirectcredittransferfromyourbankaccount:

Bank: Reserve Bank of AustraliaBSBnumber: 093 003Accountnumber: 316 385Accountname: ATO direct credit accountReference: Your PRN

IfyoucannotfindyourPRN,contacttheATO.

Mail

YoucanmailyourchequeormoneyordertotheATO.ChequesandmoneyordersshouldbeinAustraliandollarsandpayableto‘DeputyCommissionerofTaxation’.Chequesshouldbecrossed‘NotNegotiable’andmustnotbepost-dated.

Donotsendcashthroughthemailorusepins,staples,paperclipsoradhesivetape.

Youneedtoincludeyourpaymentslip(seebelow)oranotethatstatesyour:

• fullname,addressandtelephonenumber;

• accountidentifier:taxfilenumber,Australianbusinessnumberorclientidentificationnumber;and

• paymenttype:HELP.

IfyouliveinWA,SA,NT,TASorVIC,usethisaddress:

AustralianTaxationOfficeLockedBag1936ALBURYNSW1936

IfyouliveinNSW,ACTorQLD,usethisaddress:

AustralianTaxationOfficeLockedBag1793PENRITHNSW1793


Australia Post

Ifyouhavepre-printedpaymentslipswithabarcode,youcanpayinpersonatanyAustraliaPostoutlet.

A$3,000limitappliestocashpayments.EFTPOSpaymentsaresubjecttodailywithdrawallimits.

ChequesandmoneyordersshouldbeinAustraliandollarsandpayableto‘DeputyCommissionerofTaxation’.Chequesshouldbecrossed‘NotNegotiable’andmustnotbepost-dated.

Orderabookofpaymentslips

YoucanorderabookletofpaymentslipsbyphoningtheATOon13 28 65.Youwillneedtogiveyourtaxfilenumber.

Paying from overseas

BPAY

IfyouhaveanAustralianbankaccountyoucanmakepaymentsusingBPAYthroughphoneorinternetbanking.

Detailsyouwillneed:

Billercode: 75556Reference: Your PRN

Creditcard

TopaybycreditcardyourequireacurrentVisa,MasterCardorAmericanExpresscardandyourPRN.Paymentsfromoverseascanonlybemadeusingtheonlineservice.

DirectcreditthroughSWIFTorbymail

Forinformationaboutthesepaymentoptions:

• visitwww.ato.gov.au/howtopay;

• phone+61 2 6216 1111andasktobeconnectedtoextension87811ATOPaymentHelpdesk(8:00am–5:00pm,MondaytoFriday);or

• [email protected].


7.12 Are repayments tax deductible?

Voluntaryrepaymentsmadebyyouorsomeoneotherthanyourpayerarenottaxdeductible.Yourpayermaybeabletoclaimataxdeductionforvoluntaryrepaymentsitmakesonyourbehalfbutitmayalsobeliableforfringebenefitstaxontherepayments.

7.13 What happens to my debt if I die?

Yourestatehastopayanyoutstandingcompulsoryrepaymentrelatingtotheperiodbeforeyourdeath,buttheremainderofyouraccumulatedHELPdebtiscancelled.

7.14 What happens to my debt if I go bankrupt?

YoustillhavetopayyouraccumulatedHELPdebtasifyouhadnotbeendeclaredbankrupt.

7.15 How can I get information on my HELP account?

YoucanphonetheATOatanytimeoftheyeartogetyouraccountbalanceorrequestastatement.

YourstatementissenttoyourlatesthomeaddressshownonATOrecordsor,iftheATOdoesn’thaveyourhomeaddress,tothepostaladdressonyourlatestincometaxreturn.

Toprotecttheprivacyofyourinformation,theATOneedstoverifyyouridentitybeforeitcangivedetailsofyouraccounttoyouoverthephone.Todothis,itmayaskfor:

• yourtaxfilenumber;

• yourAustralianBusinessNumber;or

• yourname.


Ifyouhaveeverlodgedanincometaxreturn,youneedtogivethreeofthefollowingidentifiers.Ifyouhaveneverlodgedanincometaxreturn,youneedtosupplyonlytwoofthefollowingidentifiers:

• yourdateofbirth;

• youraddress(business,residential,postaloremail)ortelephonenumber;

• yourcurrentbankdetails;

• detailsfromanATOletterornoticesenttoyouwithinthelastfiveyears;or

• yourATOaccountdetails–e.g.balance,amountofanyrefund,paymentorinterestimposed,amountandfrequencyofapaymentarrangement,orPAYGinstalmentamountorrate.


ContACts

Your approved provider

They can help you with:

• enrolments;

• studentcontributionamountsandpayments;

• censusdatesandadministrativedates;

• withdrawals;

• applyingforaCommonwealthsupportedplaceandHECS-HELP;

• Commonwealthscholarships;

• grievanceproceduresforstudentcomplaints;

• theCommonwealthHigherEducationStudentSupportNumber(CHESSN);and

• gettingyourHECS-HELPdebtremovedunder‘specialcircumstances’.

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)


• Commonwealthsupportedplaces;

• HECS-HELPandothercomponentsoftheHigherEducationLoanProgram(HELP);and

• otherformsofAustralianGovernmentassistance.

How to contact DEEWR:

• visitwww.goingtouni.gov.au;

• callthestudentenquirylineon1800 020 108(or+61 3 9938 2545fromoutsideAustralia);

• callthestudentenquirylineon1800 554 609TTYforhearingimpairedandspeechimpairedstudents;or

• logontomyUniAssistforthebalanceofyourentitlementsatwww.goingtouni.gov.au.


Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

How to contact the ATO:

• visitwww.ato.gov.au;

• call1300 720 092togetthebookletRepaying your HELP debt in 2011-12;

• call13 28 61forHELPandgeneraltaxinformation;

• calltheHigherEducationLoanAccountsUniton1300 650 225forspecificqueriesaboutyouraccount;or

• call133 677TTYor1300 555 727TTYforhearingimpairedandspeechimpairedstudents.

Ifyouhaveataxfilenumber,pleasehaveitreadybeforeyoucalltheATO.

Addresswrittencorrespondence(notvoluntaryrepayments)to:

AustralianTaxationOfficePOBox1032ALBURYNSW2640

Centrelink

How to contact Centrelink:

• visitwww.centrelink.gov.au;

• callYouthandStudentServiceson13 24 90forinformationonYouthAllowance,AustudyandPensionerEducationSupplement;

• call13 23 17forinformationonABSTUDY;

• call1800 639 109forABSTUDYTTYpaymentenquiries;

• call1800 810 586forotherTTYpaymentenquiries;or

• call13 12 02forinformationinlanguagesotherthanEnglish.


Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)


• visas;and

• Australiancitizenship.

How to contact DIAC:

• visitwww.immi.gov.auforvisainformation;

• visitwww.citizenship.gov.auforcitizenshipinformation;

• call13 18 81forvisaenquiries;or

• call13 18 80forcitizenshipenquiries.


Appendix A: Approved providers With CommonWeAlth sUpported plACes

Australian Capital Territory

TheAustralianNationalUniversityUniversityofCanberra

New South Wales

AvondaleCollegeCharlesSturtUniversityMacquarieUniversitySouthernCrossUniversityTheUniversityofSydneyUniversityofNewcastleUniversityofNewEnglandUniversityofNewSouthWalesUniversityofTechnology,SydneyUniversityofWesternSydneyUniversityofWollongong

Northern Territory

CharlesDarwinUniversity

Queensland

CentralQueenslandUniversityChristianHeritageCollegeGriffithUniversityJamesCookUniversityQueenslandUniversityofTechnologyTheUniversityofQueenslandUniversityofSouthernQueenslandUniversityoftheSunshineCoast

South Australia

TaborCollegeAdelaideTheFlindersUniversityofSouthAustraliaTheUniversityofAdelaideUniversityofSouthAustralia

Tasmania

UniversityofTasmania

Victoria

DeakinUniversityHolmesglenInstituteofTAFELaTrobeUniversityMonashUniversityNorthernMelbourneInstituteofTAFERMITUniversitySwinburneUniversityofTechnologyTaborCollegeVictoriaTheUniversityofMelbourneUniversityofBallaratVictoriaUniversity

Western Australia CurtinUniversityofTechnologyEdithCowanUniversityMurdochUniversityTheUniversityofWesternAustralia

Multi-state

AustralianCatholicUniversityTheUniversityofNotreDameAustralia

Thislistwascurrentatthetimeofpublication.Foranup-to-datelist,visitwww.goingtouni.gov.au.


Appendix b: exCeptions to stUdent ContribUtion AmoUnts

YoumaypayadifferentstudentcontributionamountfromthatshowninTable 1 ifyoubeganyourcourseofstudyin:

• accounting,administration,economicsorcommercebefore2008;

• mathematics,statisticsorsciencebefore2009;or

• educationornursingbefore2010.

Accounting, administration, economics and commerce courses begun pre-2008

Approvedproviders(providers)maynowsetstudentcontributionsforaccounting,administration,economicsandcommerceunitstothesamemaximumamountasforunitsinlaw,medicine,veterinaryscienceanddentistry–i.e.attheBand3rate(see Table 1).

However,ifyouarea‘pre-2008student’yourstudentcontributionsfortheseunitsareatthelowerBand2rate(see Table 1).

Youareapre-2008studentifyoumeetallofthefollowingcriteria:

• youbeganacourseofstudybefore1January2008andwereaCommonwealthsupportedstudentforaunitinthatcourse;

• youdidnotcompletethecoursebefore31December2007(oryoudidcompleteitbutitwasanenablingcourseoracourserelatedtoanhonourscourseyouarecurrentlyundertaking);and

• youarestudyinganaccounting,administration,economicsorcommerceunit.

Yourprovidercanconfirmwhetheryouareapre-2008student.

Thearrangementsforpre-2008studentsapplyuntiltheendof2012.

Mathematics, statistics and science courses begun pre-2009

Themaximumstudentcontributionsforstudentsstartingmathematics,statisticsandscienceunitsfrom2009onwardsareattheNationalPrioritiesBandrate(see Table 1).

However,ifyoubeganyourcoursebefore1January2009andarenotcoveredbythecoursetransferarrangementsdescribedbelow,yourprovidermaychargeyouatthehigherBand2rate(see Table 1)fortheseunits.


Yourprovidercanconfirmwhetherthestudentcontributionyouneedtopayforyourmathematics,statisticsandscienceunitsisattheNationalPrioritiesBandrateortheBand2rate.

AHECS-HELPBenefitisavailableforeligiblemathematics,statisticsandsciencegraduates(see Appendix C).

Transfer arrangements

Ifyoubeganacoursebefore1January2009thatisnotclassifiedasanaturalandphysicalsciencescourseandyoutransfertoanaturalandphysicalsciencescourseofstudy,yourstudentcontributionamountmaybeattheNationalPrioritiesBandrate(see Table 1).Mathematics,statisticsandscienceareclassifiedasnaturalandphysicalsciencesfieldofeducation.

AnaturalandphysicalsciencescourseisoneclassifiedasBroadField01intheAustralianBureauofStatisticspublicationAustralian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED) 2001.Formoreinformation,askyourprovider.

Education and nursing courses begun pre-2010

Providersmaynowsetstudentcontributionsforeducationandnursingunitstothesamemaximumamountasforunitsinhumanities,behaviouralscience,socialstudies,foreignlanguagesandvisualandperformingarts–i.e.attheBand1rate(see Table 1).

However,ifyouarea‘pre-2010student’yourstudentcontributionsfortheseunitsareatthelowerNationalPrioritiesBandrate(see Table 1).

Youareapre-2010studentifyoumeetallofthefollowingcriteria:

• youbeganacourseofstudybefore1January2010andwereaCommonwealthsupportedstudentforaunitinthatcourse;

• youdidnotcompletethecoursebefore31December2009(oryoudidcompleteitbutitwasanenablingcourseoracourserelatedtoanhonourscourseyouarecurrentlyundertaking);and

• youarestudyinganeducationornursingunit.

Yourprovidercanconfirmwhetheryouareapre-2010student.

AHECS-HELPBenefitisavailableforeligibleeducation,nursing,andmidwiferygraduates(see Appendix C).


Appendix C: heCs-help benefit

TheHECS-HELPBenefitprovidesanincentiveforgraduatesofparticularcoursesofstudytotakeuprelatedoccupationsorworkinspecifiedlocationsbyreducingtheircompulsoryHELPrepayments.

YoumaybeeligiblefortheHECS-HELPBenefitifyou:

• graduatedfromanundergraduatemathematics,statisticsorsciencecourseafter30June2008andareemployedinarelatedoccupation,includingasasecondaryschoolteacherofthesesubjectsorasaprimaryschoolteacher;or

• graduatedfromaneducation,nursingormidwiferycourserequiredforinitialentrytoateachingornursingprofessionafter30June2009andareemployedasateacherornurse;or

• areanearlychildhoodteacheremployedataproviderofpre-schooleducationorchildcareservicesinaregionalorremotearea,Indigenouscommunityorareaofhighsocio-economicdisadvantage,asspecifiedintheHECS-HELP BenefitGuidelines(availableatwww.comlaw.gov.au).

IfyouareeligiblefortheHECS-HELPBenefit,theamountofyourcompulsoryrepaymentinafinancialyearwillbereduced.

Ifyoudon’tneedtomakeacompulsoryrepaymentandareanearlychildhoodteacherwhoiseligiblefortheHECS-HELPBenefitonthebasisoflocationofemployment,youraccumulatedHELPdebtmaybereduced.

YoucanreceivetheHECS-HELPBenefitforuptoalifetimemaximumof260weeksofeligibleemployment.

YouarenoteligiblefortheBenefitifyoupaidallyourstudentcontributionsup-frontanddidnothaveaHECS-HELPdebtwhenyoucompletedyourcourse.

FormoreinformationabouteligibilityandhowtoapplyfortheHECS-HELPBenefit,seewww.ato.gov.auandwww.goingtouni.gov.au.Additionalinformationforearlychildhoodteachersisavaliableatwww.deewr.gov.au.


Appendix d: hoW mUCh does the AUstrAliAn government ContribUte?

Funding clusterCommonwealth contribution*

Law,accounting,administration,economics,commerce(see note 1)

$1,861

Humanities $5,168

Mathematics,statistics,behaviouralscience,socialstudies,computing,builtenvironment,otherhealth(see note 2)

$9,142

Education $9,512

Clinicalpsychology,alliedhealth,foreignlanguages,visualandperformingarts

$11,243

Nursing $12,552

Engineering,science,surveying(see note 2) $15,983

Medicine,dentistry,veterinaryscience,agriculture $20,284

Notes:

1) Accounting, Administration, Economics and Commerce

TheAustralianGovernmentprovidesanadditional$1,189perEFTSLforpre-2008studentsundertakingaccounting,administration,economicsandcommerceunitsofstudy.

2) Mathematics, Statistics and Science

TheAustralianGovernmentalsoprovidesanadditional$3,499perEFTSLformathematics,statisticsandscienceunitsforstudentswhoarecoveredbythelowercontributionamountsintroducedin2009.


freqUently Asked qUestions

What is a ‘census date’ and why is it so important?

ThecensusdateofaunitofstudyisthelastdayyoucansubmityoursignedRequest for Commonwealth assistance and HECS-HELPformandpayyourstudentcontribution.

Ifyoudon’tsubmityourformbythecensusdate,youwillnotbeeligibleforenrolmentinaCommonwealthsupportedplaceandtoaccessHECS-HELP(ifeligible).Youcannotsubmityourformafterthecensusdate.

See section 1.4

What is an ‘administrative date’?

Someproviderssetan‘administrativedate’(earlierthanthecensusdate)forstudentstosubmittheirRequest for Commonwealth assistance and HECS-HELPform.

Youareresponsibleforcheckingwhatthedeadlineisforyourunits.

See section 1.4

When do I need to finalise my student contribution payment?

Youneedtopayyourstudentcontributionbythecensusdate(orearlieradministrativedate)foreachunityouenrolin.

See section 1.4

What if I’ve made a mistake on my form?

Youhavesixweeksafterthecensusdatetocorrectanyerrorsonyourform.

See section 2.8

If I want to withdraw from a unit, why is it important to withdraw by the census date? How do I do this?

Unlessyouofficiallywithdrawbythecensusdate(exceptunderstrict‘specialcircumstances’)you:

• willincuraHECS-HELPdebtthatyouwillenduppayingthroughthetaxsystem;and/or

• willloseanyup-frontstudentcontributionpaymentsmade.

Toavoidthishappening,youneedtoofficiallywithdrawbythecensusdatefromanyunitsyouwanttowithdrawfrom.

Ifyouwanttowithdrawfromyourwholecourse,youneedtocancelyourRequest for Commonwealth assistance and HECS-HELPformbythecensusdate.

See sections 6.1-6.3

How do I get the form?

Youcanonlygettheformfromyourprovider. See Contacts

Copyright

© Commonwealth of Australia 2011 ISSN 1449-9282

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Commonwealth. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Commonwealth Copyright Administration, Attorney General’s Department, Robert Garran Offices, National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600 or posted at http://www.ag.gov.au/cca.

Want to…Go to uni? Find out about scholarships?Find out about loans to study overseas? Get to know what your entitlements are? Find out about help with uni costs?

Get access to your records?

Visit www.goingtouni.gov.au

Want assistance with your general education?For information on scholarships visit www.goingtouni.gov.au

Want to study overseas?OS-HELP is a loan scheme that assists eligible undergraduate students at an Australian higher education provider to undertake some of their study overseas. Students may receive up to $5,824 in 2012 per six-month study period for a maximum of two overseas study periods. You can use these loans to help you with a range of expenses such as airfares, accommodation and other travel costs.

The repayment arrangements for OS-HELP are the same as those for other forms of HELP.

For more information about OS-HELP, including whether you are eligible, contact the student exchange or study abroad office at your higher education provider or:

Visit www.goingtouni.gov.au

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