Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) and other student loans: a quick guide

Australia's Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) provides loans to students studying approved higher education courses. The scheme allows students to defer the costs of tuition until their taxable income reaches a certain level at which repayments commence. HELP is regulated by provisions in the Higher Education Support Act 2003. VET Student Loans provide similar loans to students studying approved higher level vocational education and training (VET) courses. VET Student Loans are regulated by provisions in the VET Student Loans Act 2016. Both programs are administered by the Department of Education and Training. Debts and repayments are managed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

This Quick Guide provides an overview of student loans that are provided through the HELP and the VET Student Loan scheme. It includes: an introduction that provides background to the programs; types of loans - HECS-HELP - FEE-HELP - OS-HELP - SA-HELP - VET FEE- HELP - VET Student Loans; repayment arrangements; key statistics; budget treatment and information on other income-contingent loans for students.

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