‘Commonwealth supported’ means the cost of your study is shared between the Australian Government and you.
A Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is a place at a university or higher education provider where the government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don't have to pay it back.
This subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, called the 'student contribution amount'. Your student contribution amount will be calculated using the annual student contribution amount from the table below.
HECS-HELP is the government loan scheme that assists eligible Commonwealth supported students in paying their student contribution fees. You can view further information on Commonwealth supported places (CSP) on the StudyAssist website.
All Commonwealth supported place students (including students paying up-front) must still:
- Submit a valid Commonwealth Assistance Form before the census date (via the Student System)
- Enrol in at least one topic prior to census date
Get further instructions on completing your Commonwealth Assistance Form.
Note: Students who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, and who are not Commonwealth supported students should refer to Fee-Paying Student Tuition Fees. Most CSPs are for undergraduate study only.
Student Learning Entitlement
As part of the Jobs Ready Graduates package, the Commonwealth government has re-introduced a limit on the amount of time that you can be enrolled as a Commonwealth Supported student.
From 2022, all students will start with the equivalent of seven years of full-time study in a Commonwealth Supported Place. As you undertake study as a Commonwealth Supported student, your Student Learning Entitlement will reduce
Study undertaken as a Commonwealth Supported student prior to 1 January 2022 will not reduce this seven year limit.