GovernmentHELPschemes

Source: https://www.uts.edu.au/for-students/admissions-entry/fees-costs/payment-information/domestic-fees-government-help-schemes Parent: https://www.uts.edu.au/for-students/law/practical-legal-training

Higher education loan programme (HELP)

From 1 January 2020, the Combined HELP Loan Limit and Renewable HELP balance, will apply to all students who access a HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP loan. For more information visit the Study Assist loan limit site.

If you are:

an Australian citizen AND you will undertake at least one subject contributing to your course within Australia; OR
a current or previous holder of an permanent humanitarian visa*
an New Zealand citizen who is also a Special Category Visa (SCV) holder, and you meet the requisite residency criteria, you may be eligible to access HELP loans.

a higher education loan programme (HELP) can help you with particular costs associated with higher education.

Most HELP loans allow you to defer your debt to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and your debt is indexed to the consumer price index (CPI).

Repayments for all HELP loans are contingent on income. Once your income reaches the repayment thresholds you must make compulsory repayments towards your HELP debt.

The compulsory repayment threshold for the 2025-2026 income year is $67,001.

For more information about making voluntary payments directly to the ATO, please visit the ATO website.

There are four HELP programmes:

HECS-HELP - a loan scheme to help eligible commonwealth supported students pay their student tuition fee contributions.
FEE-HELP - a loan scheme to help eligible domestic full fee paying students pay tuition fees.
OS-HELP - a loan available to eligible students who undertake some of their course overseas.
SA-HELP - a loan scheme that allows eligible students to defer payment of the Student Services and Amenities Fee.

Checking your HELP balance

Your myGov account will show you how much you owe and any repayments you have made.

The myHELPbalance portal will show your available HELP balance (the amount you have available to borrow using HELP loans).

Please note: myHELPbalance portal does not

show how much you owe,
show loan fees or indexation on your debt, or
include any debts incurred before 2005

You will need your Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN) or Unique Student Identifier (USI), a student ID from any university, higher education provider or VET Student Loans provider you have studied at, and your first name, last name and date of birth to access myHELPbalance.

The HELP loan limit is indexed annually. In 2025, the limit is $126,839, and it will increase to $129,883 in 2026.

HECS-HELP

FEE-HELP

SA-HELP

New Zealand citizens

If you are a New Zealand citizen who is also a Special Category Visa (SCV) holder, and you meet the requisite residency criteria, you may be eligible to access HELP loans.