There's a Cap on How Much You Can Borrow
Your HELP loan limit caps your available borrowing balance. Repayments can restore that balance, so it is not a fixed lifetime total.
In 2026, the limits are:
- $129,883 for most students
- $186,544 for students studying medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, or certain aviation courses
It includes FEE-HELP, VET loans and HECS-HELP study with a census date from 1 January 2020. Some loans and fees do not count. Check your available balance on myHELPbalance before you enrol.
What Happens When the Degree Costs More
Some degrees, particularly at private universities, cost more than the limit. When that happens, you need to pay the difference out of pocket during the course.
This isn't uncommon at private institutions. If you're considering one, check the total degree cost against the current loan limit before you enrol so you know what you'll need to fund independently.
Your Limit Is Renewable
One thing most people don't realise: the HELP loan limit is renewable. When you make repayments (compulsory or voluntary) toward your HELP debt, that amount gets added back to your available balance.
So if you've borrowed $50,000 and repaid $10,000, your available balance goes back up to $89,883. This means if you want to study again later in life, you can re-access that borrowing capacity.
This only applies to repayments made from the 2019-20 income year onward.
How to Check Your Available Balance
You can check your current HELP loan limit and available balance through myHELPbalance. You'll need to log in with your myGov credentials.
Where This Info Comes From
This guide is for educational purposes only. Limits are indexed annually. Always check the current limit on Study Assist.