How do I pay my student contribution?

Australian citizens and holders of a permanent humanitarian visa
Holders of other permanent visas and New Zealand citizens
How you can pay your student contribution


The options available for paying your student contribution will depend on your eligibility for HECS-HELP.

Australian citizens and holders of a permanent humanitarian visa

If you are an Australian citizen³ or the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa, you may be entitled to HECS HELP assistance (see HECS-HELP assistance).  HECS-HELP allows you to obtain a HECS-HELP loan for all or part of your student contribution, or provides you with a 20% discount for full up front payments or partial up-front payments of $500 or more.

Holders of other permanent visas and New Zealand citizens

If you are the holder of a permanent visa (other than a permanent humanitarian visa) or a New Zealand citizen, you are generally required to pay your student contribution up-front, in full, to your higher education provider on or before the census date (or an earlier date set by your provider).  You are not eligible for HECS-HELP.

The only exception to this is if your provider has identified you as a pre-2005 HECS student. In this case, you may be eligible for HECS-HELP. 
The following chart outlines the process involved in paying your student contribution. 

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³A person does not meet the Australian citizenship requirements for access to Commonwealth assistance until the person is an Australian citizen.  That is, the person must have taken the Australian Citizenship Pledge and be in possession of their Certificate of Australian Citizenship.  The only exception to this is for pre-2005 HECS students (see Information for pre-2005 HECS students).  Pre-2005 HECS students can be taken to have met the Australian citizenship requirements if they have had their application for Australian citizenship approved by the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

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