QTAC Information Sheet

Study Costs

Public Universities - Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)

Commonwealth supported places (CSP) are offered at public institutions to:

Australian citizens
New Zealand citizens
holders of a permanent visa

The Australian Government contributes towards course costs for Commonwealth supported students. Students also pay a ‘student contribution’. This student contribution may be borrowed from the Commonwealth government under the HECS-HELP Scheme.

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Student contributions vary between providers and courses. These student contributions must be within a range set by the government (see table below for a guide to the cost of a standard full-time year of tertiary study in 2012). Course specific indicative costs will be available late in 2012 from each institution.

Study Assist Website

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations’ (DEEWR) website – www.studyassist.gov.au provides information about the Australian Government assistance for financing tertiary study. DEEWR can also be contacted by phone on 1800 020 108.

Student Contributions Per Year

Band	Estimated Student contribution range for 2012*
National Priorities mathematics, statistics and science	$0 to $4520
Band 1 humanities, behavioural science, clinical psychology, education, nursing, social studies, foreign languages, visual and performing arts	$0 to $5648
Band 2 computing, built environment, health, engineering, surveying, agriculture	$0 to $8050
Band 3 dentistry, medicine, veterinary science, accounting, administration, economics, commerce, law	$0 to $9425

* Costs are indicative and will depend on the individual subjects chosen. The student contributions shown are for first year full-time students. Student contributions are indexed each year according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

TAFE Queensland - study costs

TAFE tuition fees vary between institutes and do not include material and other program costs. Students are required to contribute to the cost of their program in all offerings. The study cost for programs is designated as standard offering (SO), partially government funded (PGF) or fee-based (fee).

Standard offering means the program attracts a government subsidy.
Partially government funded (PGF) means the program receives a partial subsidy, however the level of this subsidy can vary between programs.
Fee-based (fee) programs are not subsidised.

The minimum student contribution fees and full fees for TAFE Qld programs are available via the QTAC website or by contacting the institute directly. Fee concessions (eg for Health Care Card holders) and VET FEE-HELP loans may be available.

Alternate fee structures may apply to applicants who reside outside of Queensland. Interstate applicants should contact the institute directly to determine relevant fees.

CPI Increase: Note that 'SO' and 'PGF' programs are subject to CPI increases.

Southbank Institute of Technology - study costs

Students are required to contribute to the cost of their program in all offerings. The study cost for programs is designated as standard offering (SO), partially government funded (PGF) or fee-based (fee).

Standard offering means the program attracts a government subsidy.
Partially government funded (PGF) means the program receives a partial subsidy, however the level of this subsidy can vary between programs.
Fee-based (fee) programs are not subsidised but FEE-HELP or VET FEE-HELP loans may be available.

The minimum student contribution fees and full fees for Southbank Institute of Technology programs are available via the QTAC website or by contacting the institute directly. These fees include relevant material costs but exclude other program costs. Fee concessions (eg for Health Care Card holders) may also be available.

Alternate fee structures may apply to applicants who reside outside of Queensland. Interstate applicants should contact the institute directly to determine relevant fees.

CPI Increase: Note that 'SO' and 'PGF' programs are subject to CPI increases.

Private provider study costs - Fee

Fees for non government institutions - Bond University, Christian Heritage College, Qantm College and Queensland Institute of Business and Technology - are set out in course entries in Search for Courses. Modes of payment should be negotiated with the institution. FEE-HELP loans may be available.

International Applicants - study costs

International applicants should confirm fees with individual institutions.

Financial assistance

Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP)

Australian citizens and holders of a permanent humanitarian visa may pay their student contribution or tuition fee upfront. Upfront student contribution payments of $500 or more are eligible for a 5% discount. Alternatively, students may request a Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loan. There are a number of HELP loans:

HECS-HELP is for eligible Commonwealth supported students to pay their student contribution for public university study costs.
FEE-HELP is for eligible fee-paying students enrolled at eligible higher education providers. Loans cover up to the full amount of their tuition fees. Undergraduate FEE-HELP loans are subject to a 25% loan fee.
VET FEE-HELP is for eligible full fee-paying students undertaking diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree, graduate certificate, or graduate diploma level study at an approved provider. Loans can cover up to the full tuition cost. VET FEE-HELP loans are subject to a 20% loan fee.
OS-HELP is for eligible full-time Commonwealth supported students who study overseas. Loans are up to $5824 per six-month period. Students can receive two OS-HELP loans in a lifetime.

If you wish to obtain a HELP loan you must supply your Tax File Number (TFN). If you have not done so already, you can apply for a TFN at www.ato.gov.au (see 'Get a Tax File Number). Repayments for all HELP loans depend on income. Students are not required to start paying their HELP debts until their income reaches a minimum threshold, for the 2012-2013 income year that was $49 095.

New Zealand citizens and holders of other permanent visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees upfront without a discount. Visit www.studyassist.gov.au for information.

Commonwealth Scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarships Program financially assists Indigenous students on low incomes with higher education costs. Following are the types of Commonwealth scholarships:

Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships assist Indigenous students from low socio-economic backgrounds with their education costs
Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships assist Indigenous students from low socio-economic backgrounds from regional and remote areas, with accommodation costs when they move to undertake higher education
Indigenous Access Scholarships help indigenous people with the costs associated with higher education in an area of National Priority
Indigenous Enabling Scholarships help indigenous people with the costs of undertaking an eligible enabling course at a higher education institution

Apply directly to the institutions for these scholarships. For more information contact the institution.

Institution Equity Scholarships

Some tertiary institutions also offer equity scholarships are part of their wider equity programs. Details are provided on the institution web pages, view more....

Other Institution Scholarships

Many institutions offer scholarships such as sporting and academic scholarships. Applications for these are made directly to the institution. For further information, contact the institution or visit their website.

Income support

The Department of Human Services provides income support for students, including:

Youth Allowance - for eligible full-time students aged under 25 who undertake an approved course
Austudy - for eligible full-time students aged 25 and over who undertake an approved course
ABSTUDY - for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who undertake approved full-time and part-time study
Pensioner Education Supplement - for recipients of some Department of Human Services and Veterans' Affairs payments to help with the costs of studying

The above payments are subject to income and assets tests.

Depending on your situation, you may also be eligible for extra payments to help with the costs of studying.

Student Start-up Scholarship: this helps students receiving Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY Living Allowance with the up-front costs associated with higher education
Relocation Scholarship: this helps dependent Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY Living Allowance students, who need to live away from the family home to study, with the accommodation costs associated with relocating for higher education (in a small number of circumstances independent students may also qualify)
Fares Allowance: this enables eligible tertiary students, who have to live away from their permanent home to study, to seek reimbursement for the cost of the cheapest practicable form of public transport available between their home and their place of study
Rent Assistance: this gives students extra help if they have a low income and rent accommodation privately

You can stay up do date with the latest information via Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/StudentUpdateAu) or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/StudentUpdate).

To find out more about Youth Allowance or Austudy, call 132 490. For information about ABSTUDY, call 132 317. For information in languages other than English, call 131 202; for TTY enquiries for the hearing and speech impaired, call 1800 810 586. Alternatively, visit the Department of Human Services website www.humanservices.gov.au/students.

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