Commonwealth supported fees and payment options
If you are a domestic, undergraduate student enrolled in a degree or course of study (not single subjects), you are most likely eligible to be Commonwealth supported.
To check what type of student you are, log in to MyStudent, click on the My Applications and Offers tile and then check your Fee Type next to your course.
Commonwealth supported places (CSP) are subsidised by the Australian Government. Students in a CSP pay a portion of their tuition fees, called the student contribution, and the Government pays the remaining portion (Commonwealth contribution) directly to the University. Eligible students can defer payment of their student contribution to a HECS-HELP loan.
A Commonwealth supported place will be offered to domestic students who meet the citizenship and residency requirements. To be eligible for a CSP, you must be:
- an Australian citizen who will undertake at least one unit of study in Australia
- a New Zealand citizen who will reside in Australia for the duration of your unit of study
- an Australian Permanent Resident or Humanitarian Visa holder who will be resident in Australia for the duration of your unit of study
Your subject fee amounts (student contributions) are based on what band/subject discipline each of your subjects sits in and the credit point value of the subject.
Your student contribution amount for a unit of study is estimated by:
(Student contribution amount)/24 × (Credit points (cps) per subject) = the amount you have to pay or defer to a HECS-HELP loan.
For example, Chloe enrols in BU1002 for her Bachelor of Business that she is commencing in 2026. BU1002 is part of the ‘Accounting’ field in the Subject Disciplines for Student Contribution Band 4. The maximum amount a provider can charge for this discipline in 2025 is $17,399 (per 24 cps).
BU1002 is a 3 credit point subject. Chloe’s student contribution amount for this subject = $17,399/24 x 3 = $2,167.
For example, Jordan enrols in MD6010 for his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery that he commenced in 2020. MD6010 is part of the ‘Medical Studies’ field in the Subject Disciplines for Student Contribution Band 3. The maximum amount a provider can charge for this discipline in 2026 is $13,558 (per 24 cps).
MD6010 is a 6 credit point subject. Jordan’s student contribution amount for this subject = $13,241/24 x 6 = $3,389.
For example, Ben enrols in NS2882 for his Bachelor of Nursing that he commenced in 2023. NS3882 is part of the ‘General Nursing’ field in the Subject Disciplines for Student Contribution Band 1. The maximum amount a provider can charge for this discipline in 2026 is $4,738 (per 24 cps).
NS3882 is a 9 credit point subject. Ben’s student contribution amount for this subject = $4,738/24 x 9 = $1,776.
For example, Molly enrols in PY3102 for her Bachelor of Psychological Science that she commenced in 2020. As Molly commenced her study prior to 2021, Molly is considered a ‘grandfathered’ student and her fees fall under the ‘Pre-2021 Continuing Students’ table. PY3102 is part of the ‘Behavioural Science’ field in the Subject Disciplines and is a Band 1 (pre-2021) Student Contribution Band.
PY3102 is a 3 credit point subject. Molly’s student contribution amount for this subject = $8,164/24 x 3 = $1,020.
See the subject fee amounts below to view your fees by year (24 credit points) and subject (3 credit points). Three credit points is the most common subject value, however you can view the credit point value and student contribution band details for individual subjects on Subject Search.
SLE is used to measure the timeframe you could be enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. This entitlement is 7 years full-time or the part-time equivalent.
The SLE requirement applies to all students in a CSP who are undertaking subjects with a census date from 1 January 2022 onwards (subjects undertaken before this date don't count towards the SLE).
If you run out of SLE, you are no longer eligible to study in a Commonwealth Supported place. If you are in this situation, you can:
- be charged tuition fee paying rates and continue to pay for your study using a FEE-HELP loan (if you are eligible and up to the maximum of your HELP balance); or
- pay your tuition fees up-front; or
- resume studies when you accrue more SLE
You may be eligible for additional SLE. For more information refer to the government StudyAssist page.
Students Commencing a Course of Study from 1 January 2026
Student Contribution Band | Subject disciplines/Field of Education | Per subject (3cps) | Maximum amount per year (24cps) |
| 4 | Law, accounting, economics, management, commerce, social studies, political science, justice, behavioural science (except PG clinical psychology and professional pathway psychology and social work), communications | $2,174 | $17,399 |
3 | Medical, dental, veterinary science | $1,694 | $13,558 |
2 | Allied health, other health, architecture, IT, creative arts, engineering, environmental studies, science, professional pathway psychology, professional pathway social work | $1,192 | $9,537 |
1 | Teaching, postgraduate clinical psychology, English, maths, nursing, languages, agriculture | $592 | $4,738 |
Pre-2021 Continuing Students from 1 January 2026
If you are a continuing student (who commenced before 1 January 2021) studying units in disciples with increased student contribution amounts, you will continue paying the same amount (indexed each year) as you would have. These 'grandfathered' students contribution for 2026 are shown below.
Student Contribution Band | Subject disciplines/Field of Education | Per subject (3cps) | Maximum amount per year (24cps) |
| Band 1 (pre-2021) | Behavioural science, social studies, justice, creative arts | $1,020 | $8,164 |
| Band 3 (pre-2021) | Law, economics, management, commerce | $1,703 | $13,624 |
Band 3 (NEW) | Medical, dental, veterinary science | $1,694 | $13,558 |
Band 2 (NEW) | Allied health, other health, architecture, IT, creative arts, engineering, environmental studies, science, professional pathway psychology, professional pathway social work | $1,192 | $9,537 |
Band 1 (NEW) | Teaching, postgraduate clinical psychology, English, maths, nursing, languages, agriculture | $592 | $4,738 |
You may be eligible to be considered a 'pre-2021 student' if:
- you commenced a course of study with a provider before 1 January 2021 and did not complete the course by 31 December 2020
- you completed a course of study on or before 31 December 2020 and, on or after 1 January 2021, you commence another course that relates to the earlier course and leads to an award that is an honours degree
- you were undertaking, in 2020, an enabling course and, on or after 1 January 2021, you commence another course of study that is leading to an award
- you were undertaking, in 2020, a course of study leading to an undergraduate certificate (UC), and, on or after 1 January 2021, you commence another course of study that relates to the UC course and that is leading to an award that is a bachelor degree.
Additional information is available on the Study Assist - Student Contribution amounts page.
Students Commencing a Course of Study from 1 January 2025
Student Contribution Band | Subject disciplines/Field of Education | Per subject (3cps) | Maximum amount per year (24cps) |
| 4 | Law, accounting, economics, management, commerce, social studies, political science, justice, behavioural science (except PG clinical psychology and professional pathway psychology and social work), communications | $2,124 | $16,992 |
3 | Medical, dental, veterinary science | $1,655 | $13,241 |
2 | Allied health, other health, architecture, IT, creative arts, engineering, environmental studies, science, professional pathway psychology, professional pathway social work | $1,164 | $9,314 |
1 | Teaching, postgraduate clinical psychology, English, maths, nursing, languages, agriculture | $578 | $4,627 |
Pre-2021 Continuing Students from 1 January 2025
If you are a continuing student (who commenced before 1 January 2021) studying units in disciples with increased student contribution amounts, you will continue paying the same amount (indexed each year) as you would have. These 'grandfathered' students contribution for 2025 are shown below.
Student Contribution Band | Subject disciplines/Field of Education | Per subject (3cps) | Maximum amount per year (24cps) |
| Band 1 (pre-2021) | Behavioural science, social studies, justice, creative arts | $996 | $7,973 |
| Band 3 (pre-2021) | Law, economics, management, commerce | $1,663 | $13,305 |
Band 3 (NEW) | Medical, dental, veterinary science | $1,655 | $13,241 |
Band 2 (NEW) | Allied health, other health, architecture, IT, creative arts, engineering, environmental studies, science, professional pathway psychology, professional pathway social work | $1,164 | $9,314 |
Band 1 (NEW) | Teaching, postgraduate clinical psychology, English, maths, nursing, languages, agriculture | $578 | $4,627 |
You may be eligible to be considered a 'pre-2021 student' if:
- you commenced a course of study with a provider before 1 January 2021 and did not complete the course by 31 December 2020
- you completed a course of study on or before 31 December 2020 and, on or after 1 January 2021, you commence another course that relates to the earlier course and leads to an award that is an honours degree
- you were undertaking, in 2020, an enabling course and, on or after 1 January 2021, you commence another course of study that is leading to an award
- you were undertaking, in 2020, a course of study leading to an undergraduate certificate (UC), and, on or after 1 January 2021, you commence another course of study that relates to the UC course and that is leading to an award that is a bachelor degree.
Additional information is available on the Study Assist - Student Contribution amounts page.
Students Commencing a Course of Study from 1 January 2024
Student Contribution Band | Subject disciplines/Field of Education | Per subject (3cps) | Maximum amount per year (24cps) |
4 | Law, accounting, economics, management, commerce, social studies, political science, justice, behavioural science (except PG clinical psychology and professional pathway psychology and social work), communications | $2,040 | $16,323 |
3 | Medical, dental, veterinary science | $1,590 | $12,720 |
2 | Allied health, other health, architecture, IT, creative arts, engineering, environmental studies, science, professional pathway psychology, professional pathway social work | $1,118 | $8,948 |
1 | Teaching, postgraduate clinical psychology, English, maths, nursing, languages, agriculture | $555 | $4,445 |
Continuing Students who commenced before 1 January 2021
If you are a continuing student (who commenced before 1 January 2021) studying units in disciples with increased student contribution amounts, you will continue paying the same amount (indexed each year) as you would have. These 'grandfathered' students contribution for 2024 are shown below.
Student Contribution Band | Subject disciplines/Field of Education | Per subject (3cps) | Maximum amount per year (24cps) |
Band 1 (pre-2021) | Behavioural science, social studies, justice, creative arts | $957 | $7,659 |
Band 3 (pre-2021) | Law, economics, management, commerce | $1,597 | $12,781 |
Band 3 (NEW) | Medical, dental, veterinary science | $1,590 | $12,720 |
Band 2 (NEW) | Allied health, other health, architecture, IT, creative arts, engineering, environmental studies, science, professional pathway psychology, professional pathway social work | $1,118 | $8,948 |
Band 1 (NEW) | Teaching, postgraduate clinical psychology, English, maths, nursing, languages, agriculture | $555 | $4,445 |
You are eligible for grandfathered fee arrangements if:
- you commenced a course of study before 1 January 2021 and did not complete the course by 31 December 2020
- you completed a course of study on or before 31 December 2020 and, on or after 1 January 2021, you commence another course that relates to the earlier course and leads to an award that is an honours degree
- you were undertaking, in 2020, an enabling course and, on or after 1 January 2021, you commence another course of study that is leading to an award
- you were undertaking, in 2020, a course of study leading to an undergraduate certificate (UC), and, on or after 1 January 2021, you commence another course of study that relates to the UC course and that is leading to an award that is a bachelor degree.
Additional information is available on the Study Assist - Student Contribution amounts page.
Students Commencing a Course of Study from 1 January 2023
Student Contribution Band | Subject disciplines/Field of Education | Per subject (3cps) | Maximum amount per year (24cps) |
4 | Law, accounting, economics, management, commerce, social studies, political science, justice, behavioural science (except PG clinical psychology and professional pathway psychology and social work), communications | $1,892 | $15,142 |
3 | Medical, dental, veterinary science | $1,475 | $11,800 |
2 | Allied health, other health, architecture, IT, creative arts, engineering, environmental studies, science, professional pathway psychology, professional pathway social work | $1,037 | $8,301 |
1 | Teaching, postgraduate clinical psychology, English, maths, nursing, languages, agriculture | $515 | $4,124 |
Continuing Students who commenced before 1 January 2021
If you are a continuing student (who commenced before 1 January 2021) studying units in disciples with increased student contribution amounts, you will continue paying the same amount (indexed each year) as you would have. These 'grandfathered' students contribution for 2023 are shown below.
Student Contribution Band | Subject disciplines/Field of Education | Per subject (3cps) | Maximum amount per year (24cps) |
Band 1 (pre-2021) | Behavioural science, social studies, justice, creative arts | $888 | $7,105 |
Band 3 (pre-2021) | Law, economics, management, commerce | $1,482 | $11,857 |
Band 3 (NEW) | Medical, dental, veterinary science | $1,475 | $11,800 |
Band 2 (NEW) | Allied health, other health, architecture, IT, creative arts, engineering, environmental studies, science, professional pathway psychology, professional pathway social work | $1,037 | $8,301 |
Band 1 (NEW) | Teaching, postgraduate clinical psychology, English, maths, nursing, languages, agriculture | $515 | $4,124 |
You are eligible for grandfathered fee arrangements if:
- you commenced a course of study before 1 January 2021 and did not complete the course by 31 December 2020
- you completed a course of study on or before 31 December 2020 and, on or after 1 January 2021, you commence another course that relates to the earlier course and leads to an award that is an honours degree
- you were undertaking, in 2020, an enabling course and, on or after 1 January 2021, you commence another course of study that is leading to an award
- you were undertaking, in 2020, a course of study leading to an undergraduate certificate (UC), and, on or after 1 January 2021, you commence another course of study that relates to the UC course and that is leading to an award that is a bachelor degree.
Additional information is available on the Study Assist - Student Contribution amounts page.
You are also required to pay or defer payment of the SSA Fee by the payment due date for each study period or trimester.
If you are:
- An Australian citizen, or
- A permanent humanitarian visa holder, or
- A New Zealand citizen who meets certain criteria,
and you meet residency requirements, you may be eligible to defer payment of your SSA Fee (either in full or by part-payment) by submitting an SA-HELP form. This form must be submitted by the payment due date for the course you are currently enrolled in.
New Zealand citizens (who do not meet certain criteria) and permanent residents must pay the SSA Fee up-front.
Student contribution amounts must be paid upfront, or arranged to be deferred (if eligible) by the payment due date for each study period or trimester.
Defer payment of your student contributions
If you are:
- An Australian citizen, or
- A permanent humanitarian visa holder, or
- A New Zealand citizen who meets certain criteria,
and you meet the residency requirements, you may be eligible to defer payment of your student contributions via HECS-HELP. See defer your fees.
New Zealand citizens (who do not meet certain criteria) and permanent residents are not eligible to defer payment.
Pay your student contributions
New Zealand citizens (who do not meet certain criteria) and permanent residents must pay your subject fees in full by the payment due date. See pay your fees.
Commonwealth-supported students can access their CAN for each study period or trimester within 28 days of the census date via MyStudent. This notice details your Unique Student Identifier (USI), any fee payments you have made and your HELP debt balance for that study period or trimester. For more information, see Commonwealth Assistance Notices.
Commonwealth support does not apply if:
- You are studying single subjects and not admitted to a full course (miscellaneous students), or
- You began your Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Dentistry or Veterinary Science course as an international student and your residency has changed, or
- You have chosen not to be Commonwealth supported by the census date and you have requested in writing by email to Student Finance to pay domestic tuition fees for a subject(s) within 21 days after this date.
Refer to the Domestic undergraduate fees for more information.
If you commenced your course as an international student but your residency status has since changed to domestic, depending on what you are studying, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place. For more information see fee information for international students.
Students Commencing a Course of Study from 1 January 2022
Student Contribution Band | Subject disciplines/Field of Education | Per subject (3cps) | Maximum amount per year (24cps) |
| 4 | Law, accounting, economics, management, commerce, social studies, political science, justice, behavioural science (except PG clinical psychology and professional pathway psychology and social work), communications | $1,828 | $14,630 |
3 | Medical, dental, veterinary science | $1,425 | $11,401 |
2 | Allied health, other health, architecture, IT, creative arts, engineering, environmental studies, science, professional pathway psychology, professional pathway social work | $1,002 | $8,021 |
1 | Teaching, postgraduate clinical psychology, English, maths, nursing, languages, agriculture | $498 | $3,985 |
Continuing Students who commenced before 1 January 2022
If you are a continuing student (who commenced before 1 January 2021) studying units in disciplines with increased student contribution amounts, you will continue paying the same amount (indexed each year) as you would have. These 'grandfathered' students contributions for 2022 are shown below.
Student Contribution Band | Subject disciplines/Field of Education | Per subject (3cps) | Maximum amount per year (24cps) |
| Band 1 (pre-2021) | Behavioural science, social studies, justice, creative arts | $858 | $6,865 |
| Band 3 (pre-2021) | Law, economics, management, commerce | $1,432 | $11,457 |
Band 3 (NEW) | Medical, dental, veterinary science | $1,425 | $11,401 |
Band 2 (NEW) | Allied health, other health, architecture, IT, creative arts, engineering, environmental studies, science, professional pathway psychology, professional pathway social work | $1,002 | $8,021 |
Band 1 (NEW) | Teaching, postgraduate clinical psychology, English, maths, nursing, languages, agriculture | $498 | $3,985 |
You are eligible for grandfathered fee arrangements if:
- you commenced a course of study before 1 January 2021 and did not complete the course by 31 December 2020
- you completed a course of study on or before 31 December 2020 and, on or after 1 January 2021, you commence another course that relates to the earlier course and leads to an award that is an honours degree
- you were undertaking, in 2020, an enabling course and, on or after 1 January 2021, you commence another course of study that is leading to an award
- you were undertaking, in 2020, a course of study leading to an undergraduate certificate (UC), and, on or after 1 January 2021, you commence another course of study that relates to the UC course and that is leading to an award that is a bachelor degree.
Additional information is available on the Study Assist - Student Contribution amounts page.