There's More Than One Type of Student Loan
When people say "HECS," they usually mean any student loan from the government. But there are actually two main loan types, and which one you get makes a big difference to how much debt you end up with.
HECS-HELP
This is what most students get. It's for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) at public universities, where the government subsidises a large chunk of your tuition. You only pay the leftover portion, called the "student contribution."
Check the student contribution for your actual course before you enrol.
FEE-HELP
This is for students who don't have a Commonwealth Supported Place. That usually means you're at a private university (like Bond or Torrens) or doing a postgraduate degree at a public uni that doesn't offer CSPs for that course.
With FEE-HELP, you pay the full tuition cost. Check the fees for your actual course.
Same Degree, Very Different Debt
You need enough available HELP balance to cover your study. Check it before you commit, especially if the course costs more than you can borrow.
Check the HELP borrowing limitThe Quick Comparison
| HECS-HELP | FEE-HELP | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Students in Commonwealth Supported Places | Full fee-paying students (no CSP) |
| Where | Most undergrad degrees at public unis | Private unis, most postgrad degrees |
| Government subsidy | Yes | No |
| Repayment rules | Same | Same |
| Indexation | Same | Same |
Both Get Repaid the Same Way
HECS-HELP helps cover your student contribution in a Commonwealth supported place. FEE-HELP helps cover eligible full-fee study. Some undergraduate FEE-HELP study has a loan fee, with exemptions.
The Bottom Line
If you're weighing up a private uni vs a public uni, make sure you understand the cost difference. Going private isn't wrong, but it's a decision worth tens of thousands of dollars. Make sure the specific program offers something genuinely worth the premium, not just a nicer campus.
Compare the numbers yourself: Use the HECS Debt Calculator → Use the actual balance you expect to borrow and explore how the repayment timeline changes.
Where This Info Comes From
This guide is for educational purposes only. It is not financial or career advice. Always check current fees with your chosen university.
Both become part of your HELP debt and use the same repayment system. Check your course fees and loan eligibility before you enrol.