Apply for removal of HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP or VET Student Loan debt

Apply for removal of HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP or VET Student Loan debt

In special circumstances, you can apply to have your HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP or VET Student Loan debt removed. This is known as remission of debt.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for remission (removal) of your HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP or VET Student Loan debt for a course, and/or a refund of your payment of a student contribution for a course if:

  • Circumstances beyond your control occurred which prevented you from passing the course, and
  • The circumstances arose or did not make their full impact on you until on or after the course census date, and
  • The circumstances made it impracticable for you to complete the requirements of the course (and you hadn’t already clearly failed the course at the time the circumstances arose)

There is no refund for payment of your Student Services and Amenities Fee or remission of SA-HELP debt after the census date. 

For further information, refer to Remission and Removal of Debt Procedure.

Timeframe for applications

You can apply up to 12 months after:

  • The date you withdrew from the course (if you withdrew from it), or
  • The end date of the course (if you didn’t withdraw), or
  • The last date you were due to submit/complete an assessment in the course, if you were permitted to do this after the course end date

Applications submitted more than 12 months after the relevant date can be considered only if you can demonstrate (through formal, independent supporting documentation) circumstances which prevented you from submitting a timely application.

Applications may be submitted within 5 years in cases where a provider has not met its responsibilities in relation to the VET Student Loan rules. See the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations' Debt complaints page for more information about unacceptable or inappropriate conduct under VET FEE-HELP or VET Student Loan rules.

How to apply for remission of debt

  1. Complete the Application for Remission (Removal) of Debt in Special Circumstances Form (PDF, 542KB)
  2. Gather any independent supporting documents to confirm the circumstances and the dates they arose and/or intensified. The form includes examples of the type of evidence you need to provide. Please ensure all documents are in a readily accessible format (e.g. PDF, PNG, JPG, DOC). Unfortunately, we are unable to access documents that are uploaded to a cloud-based service such as Microsoft SharePoint or OneDrive and then attached as a link
  3. Email the completed form and supporting documents to hesa.remissions@rmit.edu.au

Once you’ve submitted your application, we’ll send you an acknowledgement of receipt.

We'll assess your application and let you know the outcome within 60 days of the date on which your application is complete.

Review and appeals

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your application, you can apply to have the decision reviewed by an independent senior RMIT officer. The outcome letter will explain the process and time-frame for review requests. The RMIT Student Union Student Rights team can advise you about this process.

If your application outcome is reviewed and you’re still dissatisfied, you can apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for a further review of the decision.

There is no charge for reconsideration or review of decisions, other than review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Please note, duplicate applications (for the same course/s and teaching period/s) will not be accepted or considered. Please follow the appropriate review pathways available.

More information and contacts

 

Support services

  • Our support services are free for all RMIT students and include study support, financial advice and wellbeing services
  • RUSU Compass provides support and referrals for RMIT students
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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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