HECS-HELP: what does it mean?

Posted 5 July 2016, by CourseFinder Team

HECS-HELP

The HECS-HELP scheme provides you with access to a loan to help you pay your student contribution amount, with the added incentive of a discount for upfront payment of your tuition fees.

Am I eligible?

You must:

Be studying in a subsidised enrolment at university – known as a Commonwealth Supported Place.
Be an Australian citizen or permanent humanitarian visa holder.
Enrol with an approved provider, by the census date.

When do I starting paying back my loan?

You’ll start repaying your HELP debt once your taxable income reaches the compulsory repayment threshold. This threshold is adjusted every year.

The threshold for 2020-21 is $46,620.

Disclaimer: This information is correct at the time of publishing, but is subject to change under the current government’s higher education reforms. The figures provided are applicable for the 2020-21 financial year only. For more information, visit StudyAssist [www.studyassist.gov.au].

2020-2021 repayment rates
Repayment rates	Repayment % rate
Below $46,620	NIL
$46,620 – $53,826	1.0%
$53,827 – $57,055	2.0%
$57,056 – $60,479	2.5%
$60,480 – $64,108	3.0%
$64,109 – $67,954	3.5%
$67,955 – $72,031	4.0%
$72,032 – $76,354	4.5%
$76,355 – $80,935	5.0%
$80,936 – $85,792	5.5%
$85,793 – $90,939	6.0%
$90,940 – $96,396	6.5%
$96,397 – $102,179	7.0%
$102,180 – $108,309	7.5%
$108,310 – $114,707	8.0%
$114,708 – $121,698	8.5%
$121,699 – $128,999	9.0%
$129,000 – $136,739	9.5%
$136,740 and above	10%

To get started with your HECS-HELP application, or for more information, you can head to the StudyAssist website.

Browse through our range of online courses that are covered by the HELP loan schemes.

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