# Commonwealthsupported

**Source**: https://www.uts.edu.au/for-students/admissions-entry/fees-costs/commonwealth-supported
**Parent**: https://www.uts.edu.au/for-students/admissions-entry/scholarships/contact-us

If you are admitted to UTS as a **Commonwealth supported student**, you hold a Commonwealth supported place (CSP). This means that the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of your education and you pay the balance through student contributions.

Commonwealth supported places are available to domestic students in:

- all undergraduate courses, and
- a small number of postgraduate courses by coursework.

As a Commonwealth supported student you are required to pay [student contributions](#contributions) for each unit of study.

In addition to student contributions you may also be required to pay a [Student Services and Amenities Fee](https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/managing-your-course/fees-and-payment/student-services-and-amenities-fee-ssaf)

## Residency requirements for CSP

To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) you must be either:

- an Australian citizen AND **study at least one subject contributing to your course within Australia\***
- a permanent visa holder or a New Zealand citizen AND **be a resident in Australia for the duration of your subject.**

## Student Learning Entitlement

From 1 January 2022, the Australian government re-introduced Student Learning Entitlement (SLE). This means you can study for up to **7 years (7 EFTSL)** in a **Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)**. One year of full-time study is called an **Equivalent Full-Time Student Load (EFTSL).**

Any CSP study with a census date **on or after 1 January 2022** counts towards your SLE. As you undertake CSP study at **any higher education provider**, your SLE balance reduces by the EFTSL value of the units you remain enrolled in **after the census date.**

Your SLE amount is available in [myHELPbalance](https://myhelpbalance.gov.au/). You will need your **USI** and personal details to log in. Please check your myHELPbalance regularly to confirm you have an adequate balance for your studies.

If you **exhaust your SLE**, you will no longer be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). Your course will lose CSP status and become a **full‑fee paying course**.

For more details [visit Study Assist](https://www.studyassist.gov.au/financial-and-study-support/student-learning-entitlement-sle).

### What if I need more SLE?

There are two forms of SLE that you may be eligible to access after your initial 7 EFTSL: **Additional SLE** and **Lifelong SLE**. These arrangements help students complete long degrees (including honours) and undertake graduate coursework where CSPs are available.

#### **Additional SLE**

Additional SLE is available to students who are enrolled in a CSP in one of the following course types:

- **Undergraduate courses** where the normal course load is **more than 6 EFTSL** (i.e., > 6 years full‑time).

- **Honours courses** where the course load is **≤ 1 EFTSL.**

- **Postgraduate coursework courses** or **graduate entry bachelor degrees** for which CSPs are offered.

The amount of Additional SLE depends on the normal course load and what you have already used. \
\
Additional SLE can be used after your first 7 ordinary EFTSL is exhausted.

#### **Lifelong SLE**

Lifelong SLE supports upskilling/reskilling later in life. You will accrue **3 EFTSL** (up to 3 years full‑time or part‑time equivalent) at the **later of**:

- **10 years** from your first commencement at a higher education provider; or

- **1 January 2032.**

If your course is **restructured** and requires more study than originally planned, a separate Lifelong SLE allocation may be available that **matches the additional study required.**\
\
Lifelong SLE can be used after your initial 7 EFTSL and any Additional SLE has been used.

###### **Note**

UTS can only see your UTS enrolments. We cannot see enrolments at other providers, which may also consume your SLE. Please check [myHELPbalance](https://myhelpbalance.gov.au/) for your complete balance**.**

## **Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) - FAQs**

### **What is Student Learning Entitlement (SLE)?**

### **How is SLE measured?**

### **When does my SLE reduce?**

### **How do I check my SLE balance?**

### **Do failed subjects or withdrawals count towards my SLE?**

### **If I’m approved for a remission, what happens to my SLE?**

### **Does study at other universities count towards my SLE?**

### **I don’t have much SLE left, what should I do?**

### **What happens if I run out of SLE?**

### **Is SLE the same as my HELP loan limit (HECS‑HELP/FEE‑HELP)?**

### **I think my SLE balance is wrong, what should I do?**

### **Why did I receive an email about my SLE balance?**

### **I have recently transferred courses at UTS, why have I received an SLE email?**

## CSP student contributions

The Australian Government’s [Job-ready Graduates Higher Education Reform Package](https://www.education.gov.au/job-ready) was passed in Parliament on 19 October 2020.\
\
This Bill includes changes on student contribution rates, FEE-HELP loan fees, HECS- HELP up-front payment discount, Tertiary Access payments (TAP) and more.

### 2026 Fee contributions for commencing students

### 2026 Student contributions for continuing students (who commenced their course of study prior to 2021)

### 2025 Fee contributions for commencing students

### 2025 Student contributions for continuing students (who commenced their course of study prior to 2021)