# Ask
**Source**: https://ask.unimelb.edu.au/faq/4498/
**Parent**: https://ask.unimelb.edu.au/faq/5179/
/ FAQ / TFN and HECS-HELP
# Ask - /faq/4498/
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## **TFN and HECS-HELP**
### **I don't have a Tax File Number but want to apply for HECS-HELP.**
When enrolling into a [Commonwealth Supported Place](http://ask.unimelb.edu.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/288/kw/commonwealth) for the first time, as part of your administrative course enrolment, you will need to complete a 'Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP' form. If you are an Australian citizen or holder of a permanent humanitarian visa you can include your Tax File Number on this form to defer all or part of your subject fees to HECS-HELP. Some New Zealand citizens may be eligible for HECS-HELP. Check the Australian Government's eligibility criteria at <http://studyassist.gov.au/sites/StudyAssist/>.
If you don't have a Tax File Number (TFN) at this time but still wish to access HECS-HELP you can do so by completing the following steps:
1. Complete the 'Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP' form and select the 'I do not want a HECS-HELP loan' (at this stage, you do not need to provide a TFN).
2. Immediately [apply for a TFN](https://smarteform.com.au/onlineforms/ato/tax-file-number-application-or-enquiry-for-individuals/) with the Australian Taxation Office, as your application may take up to 28 days to be processed.
3. Print your TFN application summary and take it to an interview at a [participating Australia Post retail outlet](http://auspost.com.au/pol/app/locate/post-office/ato-individual-tfn-services) to confirm your identity (this is a free service). Australia Post will then issue a barcode matched receipt.
4. Once you have been granted a TFN, you must re-submit your 'Request for Commonwealth Assistance' form with your new Tax File Number to apply for HECS-HELP. To do so, visit the [Commonwealth Assistance Forms](https://my.unimelb.edu.au/sone/ECAFDTLS/) page in my.unimelb.
#### Do deadlines apply for submitting a Tax File Number?
You must re-submit your Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP with your TFN (Step 4 listed above) no later than your earliest subject [census date](http://students.unimelb.edu.au/admin/census-dates). If you anticipate that you will not have your TFN by your earliest subject census date you must send an email to [sa-can@unimelb.edu.au](mailto:sa-can@unimelb.edu.au) and attach the following documents as proof that you have applied for a TFN:
- the receipt issued by Australia Post at Step 3, and
- a copy of your TFN application summary.
Once this proof has been supplied, the deadline for providing a TFN is extended and you can resubmit your 'Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP' with a TFN after the census date.
If you do not provide a TFN or proof that you have applied for a TFN before the census date, and you do not make full payment, your enrolment will be cancelled.
#### Combined HELP limit
From 1 January 2020 onwards, any borrowing under HECS-HELP will count towards your HELP limit. The HELP limit is the maximum amount that you can borrow under HELP over your lifetime.
Any previous HECS-HELP debts will not count towards your HELP limit. Previous FEE-HELP and VET FEE-HELP debts, however, will count towards your HELP limit.
Detailed information about the combined HELP limit is available from the [Study Assist website](https://www.studyassist.gov.au/help-loans/2020-loan-limit-changes)
## About this answer
Last updated: Dec. 10, 2021, 6:08 p.m.
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