A Commonwealth supported place is a higher education place for which the Australian Government makes a contribution to your higher education provider towards the cost of your education. The Australian Government allocates a number of Commonwealth supported places to providers each year. A list of providers that currently have Commonwealth supported places is at Appendix A.
You are a Commonwealth supported student if you meet the eligibility requirements (see Am I eligible to be Commowealth supported?) and are enrolled in a unit of study that is Commonwealth supported. If you are enrolled in a unit as a Commonwealth supported student, you will generally be required to contribute to the cost of your education through a student contribution. Your provider sets the student contribution that you are required to pay for each unit of study, which must not exceed an amount set by the Australian Government. If you are eligible, you may be able to use HECS-HELP to help pay your student contribution (see HECS-HELP assistance).
If you are not enrolled in a unit as a Commonwealth supported student, you will be required to pay the tuition fee your provider has set. However, you may be eligible for FEE-HELP for your tuition fee. For more information, get a copy of the FEE-HELP information booklet from your provider or download a copy.