css and hecs-help information for 2013

8/9/2019 CSS and HECS-HELP Information for 2013

1/28

Commonwealth supported

places and HECS-HELPinformation for 2013

HECS-HELP

www.studyassist.gov.au

Need help paying for

your uni degree?


2/28

USING THIS BOOKLET

As you read through, you will notice that certain terms are

highlighted in pink. These terms are defined in the glossary.

If you have a specific question after reading this booklet,

the contacts list at the end of this booklet will help you.

More information is available at www.studyassist.gov.au.

If you do not submit

this form or finalise

your payment bythe census date you

risk cancellation of

your enrolment as

a Commonwealth

supported student

(your approved provider

may have set an earlier

administrative date for

this deadline-check with

your approved provider).

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Department of Industry,

Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education

has endeavoured to ensure that the information in this

publication is consistent with the Higher Education Support

Act 2003 (the Act) and guidelines made under the Act,

available at www.comlaw.gov.au. However, there may

be differences between this publication and the Act

or guidelines - if there is any inconsistency the Act will

take precedence.

YOU MUST READ THIS BOOKLET

BEFORE SIGNING THE COMMONWEALTH

ASSISTANCE FORM BELOW.

WHEN YOU SIGN THIS FORM, YOU DECLARE

THAT YOU HAVE READ THIS BOOKLET

AND THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF YOUR

OBLIGATIONS AS A COMMONWEALTH

SUPPORTED STUDENT AND UNDER

HECS-HELP.

You must:

complete this form if you are a Commonwealth supported studentand the booklet says

that you have to complete this form;

ensure that you complete each questionthat is relevant to you, including ticking therelevant boxes. Your form will not be validunless each question is completed correctly;

and

return the completed form to the student administration at your higher education provider

on or before the census date for your unit(s) of study. Note that your provider may set anearlier datefor the submission of the form check with your provider.

You will be provided with a copy of this form for your records.

Before completing this form, you must read the

Information for Commonwealth supported students

and HECS-HELPbooklet, available each year

from your higher education provider.

1290ARequest for Commonwealthsupport and HECS-HELP

1290A 2013 09/12

Request forCommonwealth supportand HECS-HELP form


3/28

Commonwealth supported places and

HECS-HELP information for 2013 i

WHO IS THIS BOOKLET FOR?

This booklet is for eligible students enrolling in ahigher education course of study as a Commonwealth

supported student. Most undergraduate students atAustralian public universities study as Commonwealthsupported students.

This booklet provides a concise summary of thekey points a person enrolled in a Commonwealthsupported place(CSP) needs to know. This booklet isalso for eligible students enrolled in a CSP who wish toaccess HECS-HELPto pay their student contributions.For detailed information, you may also refer to the newpublication, the CSP and HELP Handbook.

If you require additional information regarding CSPsor HECS-HELP, please visit the Study Assistwebsite atwww.studyassist.gov.au.

If you are not enrolled in a CSP, you will be enrolled asa fee paying student and charged tuition fees. Eligiblefee paying students may use a FEE-HELP loan to paytheir tuition fees. More information about FEE-HELPis available from the FEE-HELP information for 2013booklet. For information about loans for higher-level

vocational education and training (VET) courses, pleasesee the VET FEE-HELP information for 2013booklet.

The CSP and HELP Handbookand all the HELP studentinformation booklets are available fromwww.studyassist.gov.au.


4/28

www.studyassist.gov.auii

ii

CONTENTS

Glossary .......................................................................iv

1. What is a CSP and what are the benefits?.............. 1

1.1 Where are CSPs available?.................................. 1

1.2 Am I eligible for a CSP? ...................................... 2

1.3 How do I apply for a CSP? ................................. 2

1.4 How much will my student contributions be? .... 3

1.5 How do I pay my student contributions? ........... 4

2. The HECS-HELP scheme .......................................... 5

2.1 What is HECS-HELP? .......................................... 5

2.2 Am I eligible for HECS-HELP? ............................. 6

2.3 How much can I borrow? .................................. 7

2.4 Will I be charged interest?.................................. 7

2.5 Is there a loan or application fee? ...................... 7

3. Applying for a HECS-HELP loan .............................. 8

3.1 How do I apply for a HECS-HELP loan? .............. 8

3.2 What is the census date? .................................... 9

3.3 What if I make a mistake on my form? ............... 9

3.4 How will I know if my application for

HECS-HELP is accepted? ...................................10

4. Keeping track of your HECS-HELP loan .................11

4.1 Your CAN ..........................................................11

4.2 Your Commonwealth Higher Education StudentSupport Number (CHESSN) and myUniAssist....11

5. Withdrawal or non-completion of studies ............135.1 What happens if I fail/withdraw from a unit? ....13

5.2 How do I withdraw from a unit withoutincurring a HELP debt or losing anupfront payment? .............................................13

5.3 Special circumstances .......................................14


5/28


HECS-HELP information for 2013 iii

6. Repaying your HELP debt ......................................15

6.1 When do I start paying back my loan? ..............15

6.2 Is there a bonus for voluntary repayments? ......15

6.3 Are repayments tax deductible? .......................16

6.4 What is the HECS-HELP Benefit? .......................16

Contacts and additional information ........................17

Study Assistwebsite ...................................................17

The CSP and HELP Handbook.....................................17

Your approved provider ............................................17

Department of Industry, Innovation, Science,Research and Tertiary Education ...............................18

Australian Taxation Office .........................................18

Department of Human Services ................................19

Department of Immigration and Citizenship ............19


6/28

www.studyassist.gov.auiv

GLOSSARY

Accumulated HELP debt:The consolidated total ofany HECS-HELP, OS-HELP, FEE-HELP, VET FEE-HELPor SA-HELP debts you have incurred (including anyGovernment study loans incurred before 2005).

Administrative date:A date (beforethe census date)set by approved providers for you to complete variousrequirements. See section 3.2 for more information.

Approved provider:In this booklet, this term means auniversity or other accredited higher education

provider approved to offer CSPs and access to theHECS-HELP Scheme for eligible students.

ATO:Australian Taxation Office.

CAN (Commonwealth Assistance Notice):A noticefrom your approved provider detailing informationabout the Commonwealth assistance you have used for

the study period.

Census date:This date is set by approved providersand it is the deadline for various requirements,like making an upfront payment of your studentcontributions, applying for a HECS-HELP loan orwithdrawing your enrolment so you do not incur a

debt. See section 3.2 for more information.

CSP (Commonwealth supported place):A place at anapproved provider that is subsidised by the AustralianGovernment and students pay student contributionsfor their units of study. Students enrolled in a CSP arereferred to as Commonwealth supported students.

CSP and HELP Handbook:A comprehensive Handbookthat contains information about CSPs and the variousHELP loans available to assist eligible tertiary studentspay for their study.

EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load):How astudents study load is measured. One EFTSL is the load

a student has when studying full-time for a year.

HECS-HELP:An Australian Government scheme to helpeligible students enrolled in a CSP pay their studentcontributions.


7/28


HECS-HELP information for 2013 v

HECS-HELP Benefit:A benefit granted to certaingraduates under specific circumstances that reduces apersons compulsory HELP repayment (or HELP debt forsome early childhood educators).

HECS-HELP discount:A 10% discount grantedto eligible students who make upfront studentcontributions payments of $500 or more to theirapproved provider.

HELP (Higher Education Loan Program):AnAustralian Government loan program that assistseligible students pay their student contributions(HECS-HELP), tuition fees (FEE-HELP and

VET FEE-HELP), overseas study expenses (OS-HELP)and student services and amenities fee (SA-HELP).All HELP loans are repaid through the Australiantax system.

Higher Education Support Act 2003:TheCommonwealth legislation that specifies the

requirements to access a CSP and the HELP scheme.

OS-HELP:An Australian Government loan programto assist eligible students pay their overseas studyexpenses.

Request for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELPform:The form you must submit to your approvedprovider to accept an offer of a CSP. Eligible studentsalso use this form to apply for a HECS-HELP loan.

Special circumstances:Specific requirements setout in the Higher Education Support Act 2003and itsassociated guidelines that you must meet in orderto have your HECS-HELP debt removed or upfrontpayment refunded.

Student contributions:The amount students enrolledin a CSP pay for their units of study.

Study Assist (www.studyassist.gov.au):A websiteproviding information about options for financing your

tertiary study including information on student loans,lists of approved providers and courses and informationon student income support.

TFN (tax file number):Your unique identificationnumber from the ATO for everything tax-related,including making repayments on your HELP debt.


8/28

www.studyassist.gov.au1

1. WHAT IS A CSP AND WHAT

ARE THE BENEFITS?

Most undergraduate students at university study in

a CSP. There are considerable benefits for you to be

enrolled in a CSP:

The cost of your education will be cheaper as theseplaces are subsidised by the Australian Governmentso you only pay student contributionsfor yourstudy, rather than the full cost of the place;

If you are eligible for HECS-HELP, you can choose to

use either a loan to pay your student contributionsor receive a 10% discount on upfront payments toyour approved providerof $500 or more;

If you use a HECS-HELP loan, you will not haveto make any repayments until you earn abovethe minimum repayment threshold: $49,095 in

2012-13; If you make a voluntary repayment on your HELP

debt to theATOof $500 or more, you will beeligible for a 5% bonus on your repayment amount;

You may also be eligible for the HECS-HELP Benefit,a reduction to your compulsory repayment orHELP debt, if you graduate from certain fields ofstudy and meet the eligibility requirements. Moreinformation is available from the CSP and HELPHandbookat www.studyassist.gov.au.

1.1 Where are CSPs available?

CSPs are available at all public universities, some privateuniversities and other higher education providers. Youcan find a list of approved providers that offer CSPs atAppendix A of the CSP and HELP Handbook.

CSPs are mostly available in undergraduate courses andalmost all undergraduate students at public universities

are in CSPs. Some approved providers offer CSPs forpostgraduate courses. Check with your approvedprovider to see if it does.


9/28


HECS-HELP information for 2013 2

1.2 Am I eligible for a CSP?

To be eligible for a CSP you must be either:

an Australian citizen

AND

will undertake, in

Australia, at least

one unit of study

contributing to your

course of study

OR

a permanent

visa holder (check

www.diac.gov.aufor the list of visa

subclasses) or a

New Zealand citizen

AND

will be resident in

Australia for the

duration of your unit

Note: eligibity for a CSP is different to eligibility for

HECS-HELP. See section 2.2 to determine if you are eligible

for HECS-HELP.

1.3 How do I apply for a CSP?

You apply for a CSPthrough the Tertiary AdmissionsCentre in the State or Territory where the approvedprovideris located. In some cases, you may be ableto apply directly to the approved provider, but youwill need to confirm this with them. Your offer of

enrolment will state whether you have been offereda CSPor a fee paying place (not subsidised by theAustralian Government).

To accept an offer of a CSP, you need to submit a validRequest for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELPformto your approved provider by the census date

(or earlier administrative date). If you do not submitthe form by the date specified by your approvedprovider, you may lose your offer of a CSP and willhave to wait until the next study period (e.g. semester,trimester) to apply for a CSP.

If you did not receive the Request for Commonwealth

support and HECS-HELPform with your enrolmentoffer, you can get it from the student administrationarea at your approved provider. These forms can onlybe obtained from approved providers and are notavailable from the Australian Government.


10/28


1.4 How much will my student

contributions be?

The amount you are required to pay for your studentcontributionsdepends largely on your field of study.The Australian Government groups different areas of

study into Bands, and sets a maximum amount thatyour approved provider can charge you for each yearof full-time study in each Band. See Table 1 below formore information. To find out how much the AustralianGovernment contributes to CSPs, see Appendix B ofthe CSP and HELP Handbook.

You should note that approved providerscan chargeany amount within the specified range and mostapproved providers charge the maximum. Theamounts change slightly each year due to indexation.

Table 1: 2013 student contribution amountsper year of full-time study

Student contribution band

Studentcontributionrange(per EFTSL)

Band 3 Law, dentistry, medicine,

veterinary science, accounting,

administration, economics,commerce

$0 $9,792

Band 2 Computing, built environment,

other health, allied health,

engineering, surveying,

agriculture, mathematics,

statistics, science

$0 $8,363

Band 1 Humanities, behavioural

science, social studies,

education, clinical psychology,

foreign languages, visual and

performing arts, nursing

$0 $5,868

To calculate the student contribution for a unit, youneed to know which Band the unit is in and its EFTSLvalue (if you cannot find this information publishedon your approved providers website, check withthe student administration area). You can then use


11/28



the following formula to calculate your studentcontributionfor that unit.

EFTSL valuex Band range = your student contribution forthat unit

Example only calculating your studentcontribution

The unit History A01 has an EFTSL value of 0.125and has been classified as Band 1 by the approvedprovider, which has set the student contributionamount at $5,868 for one EFTSL.

0.125 x $5,868 = $733 (amounts are roundeddown to the nearest dollar)

Therefore, the student contribution for History A01is $733.

1.5 How do I pay my studentcontributions?

Eligible students may use a HECS-HELPloan to paytheir student contributions. Students who are noteligible for HECS-HELP (see section 2) must pay theirstudent contributions upfront.

You should note that while you have until the censusdateto finalise your payment arrangements, approvedproviderscan set an earlier administrative datefor youto finalise your payment. If you have not paid yourstudent contributions by the administrative date, youmay be charged a late payment fee.

If you have not paid your student contributions bythe census date, your enrolment will be cancelledand you will have to wait until the next studyperiod to apply for a CSP.


12/28


2. THE HECS-HELP SCHEME

More information about the HECS-HELPscheme,including the eligibility requirements, is available fromthe CSP and HELP Handbookat www.studyassist.gov.au.

2.1 What is HECS-HELP?

HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme that helpseligible students pay their student contributions.

You do not have to use a HECS-HELP loan to pay yourstudent contributions. You can choose to pay all your

student contributions upfront to your approved provider,you can pay some of your student contributions upfrontand use a HECS-HELP loan for the rest, or you can use aHECS-HELP loan for all your student contributions.

If you are eligible for HECS-HELP and you make anupfront payment of $500 or more, you will receive a

10% discount. This is known as the HECS-HELP discount.The discount effectively increases the value of yourpayment. See the examples below for informationabout how to calculate the HECS-HELP discount.

Example only HECS-HELP discount for full

upfront paymentDaniel is an Australian citizen. He is enrolled infour units for his Bachelor of Engineering and histotal student contributions for the semester will be$4,025. Daniel is eligible for a HECS-HELP loan buthe wants to pay his entire student contributionsupfront. To do so, he only needs to pay hisapproved provider $3622.50 ($4,025 10%) bythe census date.


13/28



Example only HECS-HELP discount for partialupfront payment of $500 or more

Louise is a permanent humanitarian visa holder.She is enrolled in four units for her Bachelor ofComputing and her total student contributions

for the semester will be $4,025. Louise is eligiblefor a HECS-HELP loan, but she wants to payhalf her student contributions upfront($4025 2 = $2012.50) and use a loan forthe remainder.

As Louises payment is also eligible for the

HECS-HELP discount, her payment amount ismultiplied by 1.1111 to determine the full value ofher payment ($2012.50 x 1.1111 = $2,236.09).

The HECS-HELP discount has effectively increasedthe value of Louises upfront payment, so she willonly need to use a HECS-HELP loan for $1,788.91.

2.2 Am I eligible for HECS-HELP?

To be eligible for HECS-HELP you must be either:

an Australian citizen

AND

will undertake, inAustralia, at least

one unit of study

contributing to your

course of study

OR

a permanent

humanitarian

visa holder (check

www.diac.gov.aufor

the list of humanitarian

visa subclasses)

AND

will be resident in

Australia for the

duration of your unit

Permanent non-humanitarian visa holders andNew Zealand citizens are not eligible for aHECS-HELP loan or discount.


14/28


If you are not eligible for HECS-HELP, you willneed to confirm upfront payment dates andarrangements with your approved providerdirectly. If you cannot afford to pay your entirestudent contributions upfront, contact your

approved provider directly as some may offer theirown payment options or plans.

2.3 How much can I borrow?

There is no limit to the amount you can borrow under

the HECS-HELPscheme.

Some loans under the HELP scheme, such as FEE-HELP,OS-HELP and VET FEE-HELP, have a limit. These loanschemes are different to HECS-HELP, so even if youhave used FEE-HELP or VET FEE-HELP in the past, yourHECS-HELP debt will not count towards the FEE-HELP,

OS-HELP or VET FEE-HELP limits.

As of 1 January 2012, there is no limit to the amountof study you can undertake in a CSP. However, it isimportant to note that some approved providersmayhave academic probation procedures in place and ifyou are not progressing satisfactorily in your course,

your enrolment may be cancelled.

2.4 Will I be charged interest?

No. There is no interest charged on HELP debts.However your debt will be indexed on 1 June eachyear to maintain its real value to reflect changes in the

Consumer Price Index. Current and past indexationrates are available from the ATO website atwww.ato.gov.au.

2.5 Is there a loan or application fee?

No. There is no loan or application fee for usingHECS-HELP.


15/28



3. APPLYING FOR A

HECS-HELP LOAN

More information about applying for HECS-HELP,including information on enrolling in multiple courses

or at different approved providers, is available from theCSP and HELP Handbookat www.studyassist.gov.au.

3.1 How do I apply for a HECS-HELP

loan?

To apply for HECS-HELP, you must submit a validRequest for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELPformto your approved provider by the census date.

Remember:This form is first used to acceptyour offer of a CSP by the deadline set by your

approved provider. If your form is not submittedby this deadline, you may lose your offer of a CSPand will have to wait until the next study period toapply for a CSP.

If you want to use a HECS-HELP loan to pay for your

study, you must have a valid, personal TFN, even ifyou do not have a job. This is because repaymentson your HELP debt are made through the Australiantaxation system. If you do not provide your own TFNon the form or you give an incorrect one, your formwill not be valid and you will not be eligible to use aHECS-HELP loan.

If you do not have a TFN, you will have to submit aCertificate of application for a TFN. This is available fromtheATO. If you do not provide this information, yourform will not be valid and you will not be eligible touse a HECS-HELP loan. You must advise your approvedprovider of your TFN when you receive it.


16/28


3.2 What is the census date?

The census dateis the most important date for you toknow about!Approved providersset their own censusdates within rules set by the Australian Government, sothis date will vary across units and approved providers.

The census date is: the last day to submit your Request for

Commonwealth support and HECS-HELPformas aCommonwealth supported student and accessHECS-HELP(if applicable); or

the last day to withdraw your enrolment without

incurring the cost or debt for that unit.

What is the administrative date?

In addition to the census date, some approvedproviders also set an earlier administrative dateforyou to complete certain requirements. For example,

some may want you to submit your Request forCommonwealth support and HECS-HELPform orwithdraw your enrolment by the administrative date sothey have time to finalise your enrolment.

If you miss the administrative date, you may haveto pay a late enrolment fee or a late withdrawal fee.However, you can still withdraw from a unit by thecensus date to avoid incurring the cost or debt forthat unit.

Check with your approved provider to find out ifthey have an administrative date and when the

census date is for your units of study.

3.3 What if I make a mistake on my form?

You have six weeks from the census date to correctinformation you have submitted about yourentitlement to HECS-HELP, including collecting andsubmitting the documents you need to prove that youare an Australian citizen.


17/28



Note:This six-week period cannot be used to applyfor Australian citizenship, submit your Request forCommonwealth support and HECS-HELPformor provideyour TFN, which all must be done by the census date.It just gives you the chance to correct informationon your form, or to collect and provide the relevant

documentation, to prove your eligibility for HECS-HELPas at the census date.

3.4 How will I know if my application for

HECS-HELP is accepted?

You must contact your approved providerdirectly forassistance as Request for Commonwealth support andHECS-HELPforms are processed by approved providers.


18/28


4. KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR

HECS-HELP LOAN

More information about keeping track of yourHECS-HELPloan is available from the CSP and HELP

Handbookat www.studyassist.gov.au.

4.1 Your CAN

Your approved providerwill send you a CANwithin28 days of the census dateof each study period thatyou are using Commonwealth assistance. Your CANwill tell you how much you have been charged for theunits you are enrolled in and the amount of HELP debtyou have incurred for that study period.

Check your CAN carefully to make sure that:

the student contributionslisted on your CAN are

the same as those published on your approvedproviders website; and

the CAN doesnt include any units you withdrewfrom by the census date.

If you believe the information on your CAN is incorrect,you have 14 days to submit a written application for a

correction to your approved provider (some approvedproviders may allow for a longer correction period).

4.2 Your Commonwealth Higher

Education Student Support Number

(CHESSN) and myUniAssist

You will be allocated a CHESSN when you firstapply for admission to your approved provider orTertiary Admissions Centre. The CHESSN is a uniqueidentification number that remains with you duringand after your studies. It helps you, your approvedprovider and the Australian Government stay up to

date with information about the Commonwealthassistance for tertiary study that you may have used.You will be notified of your CHESSN on your CAN.


19/28



You can use your CHESSN and other personalidentifying details to access myUniAssistatwww.studyassist.gov.au. myUniAssistprovidesinformation on how much Commonwealth assistanceyou have received. As HECS-HELPdoes not have a limiton the amount you can use, myUniAssistwill not record

this information. However, as there are limits on theamount of OS-HELP, FEE-HELP and VET FEE-HELP thatyou use, it will record this information.

myUniAssistis updated with details about your HELPusage as reported by your approved provider. It willnot provide information about the amount of your

accumulated HELP debt as repayments are made to theATOand myUniAssistdoes not record this information.


20/28


5. WITHDRAWAL OR

NON-COMPLETION OF

STUDIES

More information about withdrawal procedures,and applying for special circumstancesand appealprocesses is available from the CSP and HELP Handbookat www.studyassist.gov.au.

5.1 What happens if I fail/withdraw from

a unit?If you fail a unit, or withdraw from the unit after thecensus date, you will still incur a HELP debt or lose anupfront payment, regardless of whether you attendedany classes or handed in any assessment items.

If you correctly withdraw from the unit by thecensus date, you will not have to pay the cost ordebt of that unit. If you have already paid yourstudent contributions, you will get a refund fromyour approved provider.

If you failed the unit or withdrew from the unit afterthe census date because you became seriously ill orfor other special circumstances, you can apply to yourapproved providerto have your HELP debt remitted orupfront payment refunded.

5.2 How do I withdraw from a unitwithout incurring a HELP debt or

losing an upfront payment?

You need to complete the formal withdrawal processfor every unit you want to withdraw from by the censusdate. If the course you are withdrawing from involves

enrolment with more than one approved provider, youwill need to withdraw from each one individually.


21/28



Contact your approved provider to ensure youwithdraw your enrolment by the census date andin accordance with the required procedures toavoid incurring the cost or debt of the unit.

5.3 Special circumstances

If you fail or withdraw from a unit after the censusdatebecause you become seriously ill or for otherspecial circumstances, you can apply to your approvedproviderto have your HELP debt removed. There areno provisions under the Higher Education Support Act2003to have your debt removed if you have alreadysuccessfully completed your unit of study.

If you withdrew from a unit after the census datebecause you changed your mind about studying, youwill still be required to repay your HELP debt.

For your approved provider to be satisfied that specialcircumstances applied to you, you must be able to

prove that the circumstances:

were beyond your control; and

did not make their full impact on you until on orafter the census date; and

made it impracticable for you to complete therequirements for your unit(s) of study.

Note:You need to submit your application for specialcircumstances to your approved provider within12 months of your withdrawal day.


22/28


6. REPAYING YOUR HELP DEBT

More information about HELP repayments, includingbonuses for voluntary repayments, is available from theRepayments section of the CSP and HELP Handbookatwww.studyassist.gov.au. It also contains information

about how theATOcalculates your compulsoryrepayment.

6.1 When do I start paying back my loan?

Your HECS-HELPdebt becomes part of your

accumulated HELP debt. This is the total of anyHECS-HELP, OS-HELP, FEE-HELP, VET FEE-HELP, orSA-HELP debts you have incurred. Your accumulatedHELP debt will also include any Australian Governmentstudy debts you have incurred prior to 2005.

You must start repaying your HELP debt when your

repayment income is above the minimum repaymentthreshold for compulsory repayment, which is $49,095for the 2012-13 income year. Repayments madethrough the Australian taxation system are calledcompulsory repayments. Compulsory repaymentscontinue until you have repaid your whole debt.The amount you repay each year is calculated as a

percentage of your repayment income. The percentageincreases as your income increases.

6.2 Is there a bonus for voluntary

repayments?

If you make a voluntary repayment of $500 or more,you will receive a bonus of 5%. This means youraccount will be credited with an additional 5% of yourpayment. You should note that the bonus is 5% of thepayment amount, not 5% of the outstanding debt.

For example, if you make a voluntary repaymentof $500, your bonus is 5% of $500= $25. As such,the value of your voluntary repayment is yourpayment ($500) + the bonus amount ($25)=$525.


23/28



You may benefit if you make a voluntary repaymentbefore indexation is applied to your HELP debt on1 June each year. If you intend to make a paymentbefore this date, it is important to allow enoughtime for the payment to be received and processedby theATObefore 1 June. Voluntary repayments

are in addition to compulsory repayments and arenot refundable.

There are several ways you can make a voluntaryrepayment, including via BPAY, direct credit, mail or inperson at an Australia Post outlet. For more informationon making a voluntary repayment, contact the ATO.

6.3 Are repayments tax deductible?

Voluntary repayments made by you or someoneother than your employer are not tax deductible.Your employer may be able to claim a tax deductionfor voluntary repayments it makes on your behalf,

but it may also be liable for fringe benefits tax on therepayments. For more information, contact the ATO.

6.4 What is the HECS-HELP Benefit?

The HECS-HELP Benefitis available to eligible graduates

of courses in the fields of: Mathematics, statistics or science;

Education, nursing or midwifery; and

Early childhood education.

The benefit is not a cash payment. It is a benefit thatreduces your compulsory HELP repayment or for someearly childhood educators, your accumulated HELPdebt. For more information, contact the ATO.


24/28


CONTACTS AND ADDITIONAL

INFORMATION

Study Assistwebsite

(www.studyassist.gov.au)

The Study Assistwebsite provides information about

options for financing tertiary study, including:

student HELP loans available in both the highereducation and vocational education and training

sectors; courses, institutions and other approved providers

that offer Australian Government assistance; and

student income support and Australian Scholarshipsand Awards.

The CSP and HELP HandbookIf you are seeking more information about CSPs,HECS-HELP or about HELP loans in general, thisHandbook provides detailed information. It is availablefrom the Publications page under the Helpful Resourcessection at www.studyassist.gov.au.

Your approved provider

The student administration area at your approved

provider will be able to help you with:

enrolments;

student contributions and upfront payments;

census dates and administrative dates;

eligibility criteria for CSPs and HECS-HELP;

applying for a CSP and HECS-HELP loan;

withdrawals;

getting your HELP debt removed under specialcircumstances; and

grievance procedures for student complaints.


25/28



Department of Industry, Innovation, Science,

Research and Tertiary Education

The Department can help you with:

information about CSPs;

HECS-HELP and all other loans available under theHELP scheme; and

other forms of Australian Government assistance.

Contact details:

visit www.studyassist.gov.au (click on Contact usto complete a Student HELP loans enquiry

form online); call the student enquiry line on 1800 020 108

(or +61 3 9938 2545 from outside Australia); or

call the student enquiry line on 1800 554 609TTYfor hearing or speech impaired students.

Australian Taxation Office

The Australian Taxation Office can help you with:

accumulated HELP debt and compulsoryrepayments;

bonuses for voluntary repayments; and

information about the HECS-HELP benefit.

Contact details:

visit www.ato.gov.au;

call 1300 720 092to get the booklet Repaying yourHELP debt in 2012-2013;

call 13 28 61for information about your HELPaccount and personal tax topics;

call 133 677TTY or 1300 555727TTY for hearingor speech impaired students; or

write to PO BOX 1032, Albury NSW 2640 (do notsend voluntary repayments to this address).


26/28


Department of Human Services

The Department can help you with:

Youth Allowance, Austudy and other forms ofstudent income support assistance.

Contact details:

visit www.HumanServices.gov.au;

call Youth and Student Services on 13 24 90forinformation on Youth Allowance, Austudy andPensioner Education Supplement;

call 13 23 17for information on ABSTUDY;

call 1800 810 586for TTY payment enquiries; or

call 13 12 02for information in languages otherthan English.

Department of Immigration and

CitizenshipThe Department can help you with:

visas; and

Australian citizenship.

Contact details:

visit www.immi.gov.aufor visa information; visit www.citizenship.gov.aufor citizenship

information;

call 13 18 81for visa enquiries; or

call 13 18 80for citizenship enquiries.


27/28

Printed on 55% recycled paper

Copyright

Commonwealth of Australia 2012

ISSN 1449-9282

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted

under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced

by any process without prior written permission fromthe Commonwealth. Requests and enquiries concerning

reproduction and rights should be addressed to the

Commonwealth Copyright Administration, Attorney Generals

Department, Robert Garran Offices, National Circuit, Barton

ACT 2600 or posted at http://www.ag.gov.au/cca.


28/28

css and hecs-help information for 2013

Documents