What are the citizenship or residency requirements?

To be entitled to FEE-HELP, you must be:

• an Australian citizen;

OR

• the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa who will be resident in Australia for the duration of the unit;

OR

• the holder of a permanent visa who is undertaking bridging study for overseas-trained professionals and will be resident in Australia for the duration of the unit (see Bridging study for overseas-trained professionals).

Australian citizens and permanent humanitarian visa holders who have received professional training overseas may also receive FEE-HELP for bridging study for overseas-trained professionals.

New Zealand citizens are not eligible for FEE-HELP, unless they are also Australian citizens or holders of a permanent visa who are undertaking bridging study for overseas-trained professionals and will be resident in Australia for the duration of their units (see Bridging study for overseas-trained professionals).

Note: Most New Zealand citizens who arrive in Australia are the holders of a temporary visa called a Special Category Visa (SCV). This is not a permanent visa.
 
Eligibility for students who received assistance under PELS prior to 1 January 2005 (pre-2005 PELS students) will be determined in accordance with the previous PELS eligibility requirements under the Higher Education Funding Act 1988 (see Fee-paying students who commenced study before 2005).



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