Student contribution amount

The student contribution amount is the financial contribution Commonwealth supported students make towards their higher education.

This charge is either paid up-front or deferred through a government loan (HECS-HELP) and paid later through the Australian Tax Office once a student's yearly wage reaches a government determined threshold.

How much are student contribution amounts?

Student contribution amounts vary depending on whether you are a student commencing in 2008 and onwards or if you are a continuing student and eligible for 2005-2007 status, as continuing students remain under the transitional fee arrangements.

Actual student contribution amounts are available for each USQ course via the 2009 Course Fee Finder, or you may access the student contributions by band for commonwealth supported students.

Am I entitled to any discounts?

If you are an Australian citizen or holder of a permanent humanitarian visa, the options are available to:

• pay up-front and receive a 20% discount
• make a partial up-front payment of $500 or more and receive a 20% discount, with the remainder deferred through the Australian Tax Office.

Can I defer my student contribution?

The options available to you when paying your student contribution, depend on your citizenship or residency status:

Australian citizens and holders of a permanent humanitarian visa

If you fall into this category you are eligible for Government assistance called HECS-HELP. You can either:

• defer payment of your student contribution and pay it later through the Australian Tax Office once your yearly wage reaches a government determined level
• pay up-front
• make a partial up-front payment

New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian Permanent Resident visa living in Australia

If you are a New Zealand citizen or the holder of an Australian permanent resident visa (with the exception of permanent humanitarian visa holders) you will be required to pay your student contribution up-front as you will not qualify for a HECS-HELP loan. Up-front payments will not attract a discount. Failure to make your upfront payment by the census date will result in cancellation of your enrolment.

If you are a New Zealand citizen or the holder of an Australian permanent resident visa and live outside Australia you are not eligible for a Commonwealth Supported place and must pay full fee tuition/direct fees.

Further information

Further information about student contribution amounts can be obtained from the 'going to uni' website.