Undergraduate study costs

Student Contribution amount

JCU’s Australian undergraduate students (or those on humanitarian permanent resident visas) are Commonwealth supported. However, students are required to contribute towards the cost of their tuition by paying a Student Contribution amount, either up front or deferred as a HECS-HELP loan. These amounts vary between study areas, and are broadly grouped into four pricing bands.

New Zealand citizens and those on permanent, non-humanitarian visas will usually have to pay their Student Contribution amounts up front and will not qualify for HECS-HELP loans, except under some circumstances. Our Student Enquiries Centre can supply more information.

The Student Contribution amount will vary according to your study program. The amount is calculated according to the number of credit points you are enrolled in for a particular study period and the band that subject falls within. There are three Student Contribution bands, and one for national priorities. Below are the annual Student Contribution amounts for 2008, based on a full-time study load.

For further details, visit our Current Students pages.

Paying your Student Contribution amount

There are two options for Australian students:

• Payment can be made up front to JCU and if you pay all, or at least $500 of the amount up front, you will receive a 20% discount.

• Payment can be deferred with a HECS-HELP loan, which does not have to be repaid until you are earning an annual income above the threshold set by the Commonwealth Government (Students enrolling in 2008 do not need to start repaying their HECS-HELP loan until they are earning $39,824 per year).

For full details, visit the Going to Uni Commonwealth Government site.

International students

International students should visit the International Student Centre for information on international undergraduate fees.

JCU Student Association Membership

The JCU Student Association maintains a range of services and facilities for students including student eateries, sporting facilities and student advocacy services. Membership is voluntary and costs $40 (GST inclusive) for 2008.

Other Study Expenses

• Books – it’s not difficult to spend $600 each year on text books. The JCU Bookshops on the Townsville and Cairns campuses offer student discounts on textbooks. Second-hand texts for most subjects are also available from Student Association Shops on both campuses.

• Computer equipment – whilst there are many computer work stations in the libraries and laboratories around campus, you may want to factor in owning your own computer. The Student Association has discount arrangements with some suppliers, see www.unidiscounts.com.au/

• Miscellaneous expenses – photocopying and printing can add to study costs. Depending on your course, there may be other miscellaneous expenses including workshops, subject handbooks, reading material, laboratory manuals, stationery, calculator, lab coat and laboratory breakage deposit.
  

• Field trips and placements – some courses have field trips and out-of-town placements with extra expenses such as transport, accommodation and food. Students with children may also need to consider additional childcare expenses for times they will be away.

• Living costs – these are generally lower innorthern Queensland than in larger metropolitan areas. However, students will need to factor in the cost of accommodation, transport, food and miscellaneous items.

JCU produces a handy publication, Dollar Notes (pdf file, 600kb), which provides sample budgets and plenty of helpful information on taxation and assistance. To receive a print copy of Dollar Notes, contact the Student Enquiry Centre.