How do HELP loans work?

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a special type of loan from the Australian Government to help pay for the cost of your study.

HELP loans have individual programs, which cover undergraduate, postgraduate, and student services and amenities fees. HELP loans do not cover other fees and material expenses.

What is the difference between a HELP loan and a traditional loan?

Unlike a traditional loan, where repayments typically begin immediately according to a fixed schedule, HELP loan repayments start only when your income exceeds the compulsory threshold amount.

Traditional loans accrue interest while HELP loans are indexed annually. Both interest and indexation increase the amount owed on a loan, but they function differently. Interest is a fee from the lender for borrowing money, whereas indexation is an adjustment made to align the value of the loan with inflation, ensuring the loan maintains its real-world value as the cost of living changes. Unlike interest, indexation doesn’t compound; it simply updates the total amount owed to reflect economic conditions.

Lastly, repayments for HELP loans are automatically handled through the tax system, whereas you would typically make direct payments for a regular loan.

Compare the difference between a HELP loan and a traditional loan

HELP loan	Traditional loan
Loan from government	Loan from private lender, such as a bank
Repayments only begin when your income exceeds the compulsory threshold amount	Repayments begin immediately regardless of income
Indexed annually to align the value of the loan with inflation	Accrues interest as a fee from the lender for borrowing money
Automatically repaid through the Australian tax system	Make direct manual payments to the lender

Is there a loan limit?

Your HELP loan limit varies based on your course and is set by the government each year. For 2026, the HELP loan limit for most students is $129,883.

Eligible Associate Degree of Aviation (Professional Pilots) students can access a HELP loan limit of $186,544 (2026 indexed rate).

If you’ve reached your combined HELP loan limit, you’ll need to pay your student contribution (tuition fees) before the census date. If you're in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), your enrolment will be cancelled after the census date if you don't pay your remaining fees for failing to meet the requirements of your CSP. All other students will have restrictions placed on their records and may have their enrolment cancelled.

Types of HELP loans

Each loan has a specific purpose and different eligibility criteria.

HECS-HELP

HECS-HELP loans are available for eligible students enroled in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP). It covers the student contribution amount of your subsidised degree. If you are approved for a HECS-HELP loan, the Australian Government will pay RMIT on your behalf, up to the full amount of your tuition fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt. However, it does not cover your student services and amenities fee or other fees and material expenses.

All undergraduate degrees (including associate degrees, bachelor degrees, and honours degrees) offered by RMIT have CSPs available, with the exception of the Associate Degree in Aviation (Professional Pilots), which is full fee only. While most postgraduate degrees are full fee only, there are some postgraduate degrees with CSPs available.

Who is eligible for a HECS-HELP loan?

Citizenship and residency requirements

You must be one of the following:

an Australian citizen who will study at least some of your course while living in Australia, or
a New Zealand Special Category Visa (SCV) holder, or eligible former New Zealand SCV holder, who meets the long-term residency requirements and who studies the entire course while living in Australia, or
a permanent humanitarian visa holder, or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder, who will be a resident in Australia for the duration of your unit(s), or
a Pacific engagement visa (PEV) holder who will be a resident in Australia for the duration of your unit(s).

Other requirements

You must:

be studying in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
submit the request for Commonwealth assistance and HECS-HELP form (eCAF) via the Government’s online eCAF system before your enrol
enter your validated Tax File Number on your eCAF before your census date
have available HELP balance
have sufficient Student Learning Entitlement available
be assessed as a genuine student and as academically suitable for your unit(s) of study
not undertake more than two years' worth of higher education study in 12 months unless your provider has approved you to take on more

What documents are required to qualify for a HECS-HELP loan?

RMIT must collect and verify information and documents to support the eligibility requirements from students applying for a HECS-HELP loan.

Evidence of citizenship or residency

You will need to verify citizenship or residency, identity and date of birth using a valid passport, birth certificate or citizenship certificate, or Immicard and current evidence of your visa entitlement (such as your Visa Grant Notice or current VEVO entitlement statement).

How to verify your citizenship/residency

Tax File Number (TFN)

You will need to have a TFN or show us that you have applied for one and submit it on your HECS-HELP eCAF. All applicants must have provided a validated TFN before the census date.

How to validate your TFN

Unique Student Identifier (USI)

The USI is your life-long individual education number. It’s a government requirement that you have a USI to access a HECS-HELP loan.

How to apply for a USI

How to apply for a HECS-HELP loan

Indicate you want to access a HECS-HELP Loan

While enrolling, you'll be prompted to indicate you want to access a HECS-HELP loan.

Login to the government eCAF portal

The Department of Education will send an email to your RMIT student email address with instructions for how to access your eCAF.

Enter your Tax File Number (TFN)

Enter your TFN or certificate of application for a TFN on your eCAF.

Submit your application

You must submit your application via the government's eCAF portal before you can proceed with your enrolment.

Learn more about applying for a HECS-HELP loan

FEE-HELP

FEE-HELP loans are available for eligible students enroled in a full fee paying place. If you are approved for a FEE-HELP loan, the Australian Government will pay RMIT on your behalf, up to the full amount of your tuition fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt. However, it does not cover your student services and amenities fee or other fees and material expenses.

Most postgraduate courses are full fee. If your degree offers Commonwealth supported places but you're not eligible, you'll need to pay full fees.