Fees
Before applying to tertiary education, there are costs applicants should consider. Fees vary depending on which institution and course applicants are wishing to study, as well as if you are an Australian or international applicant.
Fees
Before applying to tertiary education, there are costs applicants should consider. Fees vary depending on which institution and course applicants are wishing to study, as well as if you are an Australian or international applicant.
How much will it cost to study?
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth supported places (CSP) help you pay part of the course fee, with the Commonwealth Government paying the rest. What you pay varies between providers and courses.
Our Course search will tell you if CSP places are offered in a particular course, and its estimated cost. Once you have enrolled, your institution will tell you the exact student contribution details.
Public universities and Christian Heritage College offer courses with CSPs.
Currently, Australian and New Zealand citizens, New Zealand Special Category Visa holders and Australian permanent residents are eligible for a CSP.
There are also requirements about where you reside during your studies, depending on your citizenship status.
Visit the Commonwealth Government’s StudyAssist website for more information.
VET courses with TAFE Queensland
TAFE Queensland has a range of payment options available to students. Find out about TAFE’s costs and payment options.
VET courses with CQUniversity Australia
If you plan to study a VET course with CQUniversity Australia, you are required to pay some training and assessment costs.
Depending on the course, this may be the full fee or a government-subsidised fee.
Our Course search will tell you a VET course’s estimated cost. Once you’ve enrolled, CQUniversity will tell you the exact fee details.
For more information, contact CQUniversity Australia.
Direct Entry Institutions
Usually, you pay the full fee for studying a course through a direct entry institution.
You should confirm fees with individual institutions.
International student costs
International students should confirm with individual institutions.
Other Financial Assistance
Explore ways to support your tertiary journey
There are various financial assistance options to support your tertiary education journey. Visit StudyAssist for detailed information on government loans, scholarships, some course fees and other support available to help you succeed. Explore the resources to find out if you can benefit from these programs.
New higher education students (domestic and onshore international) will need to apply for or hold a USI before census date. New students applying for Commonwealth financial assistance will be required to provide their USI on their Commonwealth Assistance Form (CAF or eCAF), to be able to receive financial assistance (like a HELP loan).
To apply for a USI, click here.
GOVERNMENT HELP
Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) loans
There are a number of Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) options available for Australians and permanent humanitarian visa holders. Visit the Study Assist website for more details.
HECS-HELP
Pay a student contribution
FEE-HELP
Pay a private provider
OS-HELP
Pay for overseas study
SA-HELP
Pay for all or part of student services and amenities fee.
SET FREE-HELP
Pay VET tuition fees.
Payments
Navigating financial support for education involves understanding various payments and allowances designed to aid students in different circumstances.
Below are the various Government allowances and payment support that are available to eligible students.
Youth Allowance
Youth Allowance – for eligible full-time students or apprentices aged 24 or younger.
ABSTUDY
ABSTUDY – for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Austudy
Austudy – for full-time students aged 25 and over.
Pensioner Education Supplement
Pensioner Education Supplement – for some Services Australia and Department of Veterans’ Affairs payment recipients.
Relocation Scholarship
Relocation Scholarship – an annual payment to help you move from a regional or remote area for higher education study.
Student Start-up Loan
Student Start-up Loan – a voluntary loan you can get up to twice a year if you’re an eligible higher education student.
Fares Allowances
Fares Allowance – helps with travel costs between your permanent home and your place of tertiary study
Tertiary Access Payment
Tertiary Access Payment – a payment to help students with the cost of moving from outer regional or remote areas for tertiary study.
Other concessions and allowances
Other concessions and allowances – includes Health Care Card or Rent Assistance.
Institution and Indsutry help
Institution Scholarships
Most institutions offer scholarships, including equity scholarships that assist regional students, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, and students from low-income backgrounds access study.
You must apply to the institution directly for most scholarships, except:
For these two, apply for the Financial Hardship category of our Educational Access Scheme in your QTAC application.
Institution Loans
Some institutions offer student loans. Contact the relevant institution for more details.
Industry Scholarships
Some companies offer scholarships through institutions. Contact the relevant institution for more details.
Essential information
Keep checking these pages, as they are date-specific, updated regularly, and contain important information that you’ll need as you plan to submit your application for each offer round.
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