Ruqayyah Snyder
University education in Australia is not entirely free for citizens, but the government subsidises the cost of tuition fees and offers various loans and scholarships to help students cover the cost of their degrees. The cost of university in Australia depends on several factors, including citizenship status, degree choice, and location. Australian citizens enrolled in undergraduate programs are typically placed in Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs), where the government pays a portion of the fees, and the student contributes the remainder.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is university free for Australian citizens? | No, but the cost is subsidised by the government. |
| Who sets the student contribution level? | The higher education provider, up to a maximum level set by the government. |
| How much do Australian citizens pay for an undergraduate degree? | Between $20,000 and $55,000. |
| How much do international students pay for an undergraduate degree? | Between $20,000 and $45,000. |
| How much do Australian citizens pay for a postgraduate degree? | Between $22,000 and $50,000. |
| How much do international students pay for a postgraduate degree? | Between $22,000 and $50,000. |
| How much do Australian citizens pay for a doctoral degree? | Between $20,000 and $42,000. |
| How much do international students pay for a doctoral degree? | Between $13,675 and $28,721. |
| What is the repayment threshold for loans? | $54,435. |
| What is the lifetime maximum FEE-HELP loan for medicine, dentistry and veterinary science programs? | $112,134. |
| What is the lifetime maximum FEE-HELP loan for other programs? | $89,706. |
| Are there any scholarships available for Australian citizens? | Yes, the Australia Awards are international scholarships funded by the Australian government. |
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What You'll Learn
Undergraduate fees for Australian citizens
Regarding tuition fees, Australian citizens can benefit from Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs), where the government subsidises a portion of the fees, and students pay the remainder, known as the "Student Contribution Amount". The number of CSPs is determined by the government and allocated to public higher education providers. The student contribution varies based on expected post-graduation earnings and is typically higher for degrees with higher expected incomes, such as law and medicine. The cost of a bachelor's degree can range from $9,000 to $50,000 per year, with CSPs typically ranging from $20,000 to $55,000 for an undergraduate degree.
Australian citizens can also apply for government loans under the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP), which includes HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP. These loans often do not need to be paid back until the recipient earns a certain amount of taxable income, known as the repayment threshold. Additionally, scholarships are available for undergraduates, which can significantly reduce the overall cost of attendance.
It is worth noting that some degrees' fees are completely paid for by the government, such as for teachers working in remote schools for a certain period. Furthermore, Australian citizens pay less for their degrees compared to international students and are eligible for more scholarships and financial aid.
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Postgraduate fees for Australian citizens
Australian citizens can obtain loans from the government under the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) to help fund their postgraduate studies. There are four types of government loans available: HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, SA-HELP, and VET Student Loans. HECS-HELP assists Commonwealth-supported students in paying their student contribution amount, FEE-HELP covers tuition fees for fee-paying students, SA-HELP pays the student services and amenities fee, and VET Student Loans cover vocational education and training fees.
It is important to note that postgraduate Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are limited, and most postgraduate students are enrolled as Domestic Full-Fee-Paying students. However, Australian citizens may be eligible for scholarships or financial aid, which can significantly reduce the overall cost of their postgraduate studies. Additionally, some postgraduate research students do not pay tuition fees as they are covered by the Research Training Program (RTP) Tuition Fee Offset.
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Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)
In Australia, the cost of university depends on several factors, including citizenship status, degree choice, and place of residence. While Australia's university funding arrangements have changed over time, the country still enjoys moderate-to-high government support for higher education.
CSPs are available to citizens of Australia and New Zealand, as well as Australian permanent residents. Most Australian undergraduate degrees are CSPs, and they are allocated based on academic merit. The majority of CSPs are managed through the Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC) in each state or territory, and universities make the selections, deciding which students they will offer CSPs to.
CSPs are not available for all courses or providers, so it is important to check with your chosen university or provider. If a CSP is not offered for your selected course, you will be enrolled in a full fee-paying place, meaning you will be responsible for the full amount of the fees without a government subsidy.
To apply for a CSP, you must submit a request for Commonwealth assistance via an electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) by the census date. Your application will be assessed based on specific eligibility criteria relating to citizenship and resident status set by the Australian government.
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Student loans and scholarships
As an Australian citizen, you have a variety of options when it comes to financing your university education. The Australian government offers a range of loan and scholarship programmes to help make university more accessible.
Student Loans
The Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) is a government initiative that provides loans to Australian citizens and permanent residents to cover the cost of their university education. This programme replaced the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS), which was introduced in 1989 to make university more accessible. HELP is jointly administered by the Australian Department of Education, Skills and Employment, and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Under this programme, you can obtain a loan to cover your tuition fees, known as a FEE-HELP loan, or a loan to cover your living expenses, known as an OS-HELP loan. FEE-HELP loans are available to Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, and permanent humanitarian visa holders. They attract a 20% loan fee, which is added to the amount borrowed, and the lifetime maximum loan amount varies depending on the programme of study. OS-HELP loans are available to eligible Commonwealth-supported students who wish to undertake part of their studies overseas. They are paid as a lump sum to cover expenses such as airfare, accommodation, and other travel expenses.
HELP loans do not need to be repaid until you reach a certain level of taxable income, known as the repayment threshold. This threshold is automatically calculated at tax time, and for the 2024-2025 income year, it is set at $54,435. It's important to note that HELP loans are not available for non-award programmes.
Scholarships
The Australian government offers a range of scholarships to support students in their studies. These include:
- Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships: These scholarships are designed to support undergraduate and postgraduate teaching students in exchange for teaching in government schools or early learning settings for a period of time after graduation.
- Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships: These scholarships are provided to universities by the Australian government to support students undertaking postgraduate research degrees, and they are available to both Australian and international students.
- Australia Awards Scholarships: These are long-term scholarships administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to contribute to the development needs of Australia's partner countries. They provide opportunities for people from developing countries, particularly those in the Indo-Pacific region, to undertake full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian universities.
In addition to these government-funded scholarships, individual universities often offer their own scholarships. These can be merit-based or needs-based and can cover a range of expenses, including tuition, textbooks, and living costs. It is worth checking with your chosen university to explore the scholarship opportunities they offer.
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Living costs and financial aid
The cost of living for international students in Australia ranges from AUD 30,000 to AUD 36,000 per year, including accommodation, food, transportation, and other expenses. This amount varies depending on the city and lifestyle, with cities like Sydney and Melbourne being more expensive than Adelaide and Perth. International students need between AUD 1,400 and AUD 2,500 per month to cover all their living expenses.
Students also need to consider other costs, such as the Australian student visa, which is approximately AUD 630, and health insurance, which can range from AUD 609 to AUD 3,438 per year. Additionally, students must demonstrate proof of sufficient funds, typically around AUD 21,041 per year.
To help with these costs, international students can apply for education loans from banks and non-bank financial institutions. Scholarships and grants are also available from the Australian Government, higher education institutions, and other public or private organisations. The Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) program, for example, is funded by the Australian Government and offers opportunities for individuals from selected developing countries to study in Australia.
The Australian Government also provides financial assistance to eligible students through various payment schemes administered by Services Australia. These include Youth Allowance for students, Austudy for those aged 25 and above, and ABSTUDY for First Nations people.
Furthermore, the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) offers four different loan schemes to support students. The Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) aims to improve university access for regional, remote, low SES, and Indigenous students. The Destination Australia Program (DAP), financed by the Australian Government, encourages students to enrol in academic institutions in regional areas.
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Frequently asked questions
University is not free for Australian citizens, but there are a number of subsidies and scholarships available to reduce the cost burden. The cost of an undergraduate degree for Australian citizens in a CSP (Commonwealth Supported Place) ranges from \$20,000 to \$55,000.
A CSP is a higher education place where the Australian government contributes to the cost of a student's education. The student also makes a contribution towards the cost, known as the "Student Contribution". The number of CSPs is determined by the Commonwealth government each year.
The Student Contribution is the portion of tuition fees that Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents are required to pay. The contribution varies between courses and is based on the expected earnings following a student's graduation.
