Am I eligible for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELP?

Last Modified: 12/Jul/2024

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available in all undergraduate and some postgraduate by coursework programs at Adelaide University. If you are enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) the Australian government will subsidise the cost of your program and you will pay a student contribution for each course within your program, determined by discipline. To be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) you must be:

an Australian citizen living in Australia for at least part of your studies, or;
a New Zealand citizen living in Australia for the duration of your study, or;
a permanent humanitarian visa holder living in the Australia for the duration of your study, or;
an Australian permanent resident living in Australia for the duration of your studies.

Once you have accepted a place in your program, as part of the enrolment process, you must complete the Commonwealth Assistance Form (CAF) to secure your Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) before the census date.

You may be eligible to defer part, or all, of the payment of your student contribution under the HECS-HELP scheme if you are:

an Australian citizen living in Australia for at least part of your studies, or;
a New Zealand Special Category Visa holder (or former NZ SCV holder) on a pathway to Australian citizenship, meets all long-term residency requirements and will be living in Australia for the duration of your study, or;
a permanent humanitarian visa holder living in the Australia for the duration of your study, or;
a Pacific Engagement Visa holder living in Australia for the duration of your studies.

You will begin to repay your HELP debt through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold, but you can make a voluntary repayment through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) at any time.