OS-HELP

Financial support for overseas study

If you're planning to study overseas as part of your degree, OS-HELP can help make it possible. This Australian Government loan is available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and can be used for exchange programs, study tours, or other overseas experiences that count towards your degree.

At Adelaide University, we’re committed to supporting global learning opportunities. For additional information visit our Global Learning page.

Loan amounts for 2025

In 2025, eligible students may borrow:

• up to $8,245 for study in non-Asian countries
• up to $9,893 for study in approved Asian countries
• up to $1,314 as a supplementary loan for Asian language study (if undertaken in preparation for study in Asia).

In 2026, eligible students may borrow:

• up to $8,442 for study in non-Asian countries
• up to $10,130 for study in approved Asian countries
• up to $1,345 as a supplementary loan for Asian language study (if undertaken in preparation for study in Asia).

These amounts are indexed annually.

Please note: you cannot receive the supplementary amount if your Asian language study is part of a course for which you’re receiving Commonwealth assistance (e.g. HECS-HELP).

Key conditions

• You can receive up to two OS-HELP loans in your lifetime.
• Only one loan per six-month period is permitted.
• Your OS-HELP loan is added to your accumulated HELP debt and repaid through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
• Loans are subject to availability of funding.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must: 

• be one of the following:

1. an Australian citizen, permanent humanitarian visa holder, eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder, pacific engagement visa (PEV) holder (note: a PEV holder became eligible from 1 February 2024), or
2. a New Zealand Special Visa (SCV) holder, or eligible former New Zealand SCV holder who meets the residency requirements and who will be resident in Australia at the time of applying.

• be enrolled in a CSP and have completed at least one EFTSL (usually one year of full-time study)
• be undertaking full-time overseas study that counts towards your Australian degree
• have at least 0.125 EFTSL remaining in your program upon return
• provide your Tax File Number (TFN) and Unique Student Identifier (USI)
• be selected by Adelaide University to receive the loan and submit a completed OS-HELP debt confirmation form online, via a link that will be emailed to you upon completing your application.
• not have completed your overseas study before applying.

To receive the supplementary language study amount, you must also:

• be selected for OS-HELP assistance for study in Asia
• undertake approved language study in preparation
• indicate your interest on the OS-HELP debt confirmation form
• not be receiving Commonwealth assistance for the tuition cost of the language study.

Applying for OS-HELP

Applications must be submitted by students through the MyGlobal portal. More information on how to apply, contact Global Learning (global.learning@adelaide.edu.au).

For general eligibility and loan details, visit Study Assist.

How does my OS-HELP loan get paid?

1. To accept your OS-HELP loan, you must complete your online Debt Confirmation form to accept the loan terms (this is legally binding and adds the debt to your HELP balance).
2. Your loan gets paid to your nominated Australian bank account – normally, within 14 days.
3. A Commonwealth Assistance Notice will be issued online in MyAdelaide within 28 days, for your records.

Further information is available via OS-HELP and overseas study - Study Assist, Australian Government.