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CourseFinder helps you discover and enroll in top courses from Australia’s leading providers, making it easy to kick-start or continue your career journey.
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© 2026 CourseFinder Australia Pty Ltd, All Rights Reserved
CourseFinder Team
June 14, 2025
Cost can be a big deterrent when you’re deciding whether to study. Thankfully, the government’s HELP loan schemes give you the freedom to study with no upfront costs. Find out more about how HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP and VET FEE-HELP can help you reach your goals sooner.
Thinking about study but unsure how you’ll afford the tuition? The Australian Government offers a range of financial support options under the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP), including HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP. These loan schemes allow eligible students to study now and pay later—helping remove financial barriers to higher education.
If you’ve ever felt confused by terms like CSP, indexation, or census dates—you’re not alone. This guide explains how HELP loans work in 2025, who qualifies, and what you need to know to get started.
Explore HELP-supported courses on CourseFinder.
HECS-HELP is a loan scheme available to students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) at a public university. These are partially subsidised by the government, meaning you only need to cover the “student contribution” amount—and HECS-HELP helps you defer that cost until you’re earning enough to repay it.
You must:
You begin repaying your HELP debt once your repayment income reaches the compulsory threshold. For the 2025–26 financial year, this is $56,156.
Repayments are processed through the tax system and increase progressively with your income.
More on HECS-HELP from StudyAssist
FEE-HELP is a loan scheme for students who are not in a Commonwealth Supported Place and are paying full tuition fees. It’s available for courses at private higher education providers and universities that are approved under the HELP system.
You must:
For 2025, the FEE-HELP loan limit is:
This cap applies across all HELP loan types (FEE-HELP, VET Student Loans, HECS-HELP). Indexation applies annually to unpaid balances.
More on FEE-HELP from StudyAssist
| Repayment income (RI) thresholds | Repayment rate (% of repayment income) |
|---|---|
| Below $56,156 | Nil |
| $56,156–$64,837 | 1.0% |
| $64,838–$68,726 | 2.0% |
| $68,727–$72,851 | 2.5% |
| $72,852–$77,222 | 3.0% |
| $77,223–$81,855 | 3.5% |
| $81,856–$86,766 | 4.0% |
| $86,767–$91,973 | 4.5% |
| $91,974–$97,491 | 5.0% |
| $97,492–$103,341 | 5.5% |
| $103,342–$109,542 | 6.0% |
| $109,543–$116,115 | 6.5% |
| $116,116–$123,081 | 7.0% |
| $123,082–$130,466 | 7.5% |
| $130,467–$138,294 | 8.0% |
| $138,295–$146,593 | 8.5% |
| $146,594–$155,388 | 9.0% |
| $155,389–$164,711 | 9.5% |
| $164,712 and above | 10% |
Whether you’re enrolling in your first degree or exploring new career opportunities through further study, the HELP loan schemes can make your goals financially achievable.
Get started by checking your eligibility via the official StudyAssist Eligibility Tool and find the right course for your career journey.
Browse our range of government-supported online courses and take the first step with confidence.
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