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What is FEE-HELP?
FEE-HELP is a loan from the Australian Government that eligible higher education students can use to pay all or part of their tuition fees. At Asia Pacific International College (APIC), availability depends on your eligibility and the course and units you enrol in.
FEE-HELP cannot be used for accommodation, laptops or textbooks.
You must start making compulsory repayments through the Australian tax system when your repayment income exceeds the threshold for the relevant financial year. For the 2026–27 financial year, compulsory repayments apply when your repayment income is more than $69,528.
Is there a loan fee?
If you use FEE-HELP for undergraduate study with us, an Australian Government loan fee equal to 20% of the tuition amount borrowed is added to your HELP debt. This fee does not count towards your HELP loan limit or reduce your available HELP balance. The fee does not apply to postgraduate study.
Example: If you borrow $2,100 for an undergraduate unit, the loan fee is $420. Your resulting HELP debt is $2,520 before any later indexation.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible for FEE-HELP, you must be one of the following:
1. An Australian citizen who will study at least one unit of your course of study in Australia
2. A New Zealand Special Category Visa (SCV) holder, or eligible former New Zealand SCV holder who meets the long-term residency requirements and who studies the entire course while living in Australia
3. A permanent humanitarian visa holder or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder who studies the entire course while living in Australia
4. A Pacific engagement visa (PEV) holder who will be a resident in Australia for the duration of your unit(s)
You must also:
1. Be enrolled in a full fee-paying place in an eligible higher education course
2. Meet the citizenship and residency requirements
3. Submit your FEE-HELP electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) to us on or before the relevant census date
4. Have an available HELP balance
5. Be assessed as a genuine student and as academically suitable for your unit(s) of study
6. Not undertake more than two years’ worth of higher education study in 12 months unless formally approved by the College
For the full eligibility rules, visit StudyAssist: FEE-HELP.
How much can I borrow?
Yes. The Australian Government sets a HELP loan limit. Your available HELP balance is the amount you still have available to borrow under that limit.
Check your available balance through myHELPbalance before using FEE-HELP. If your tuition fees exceed the amount you can borrow, you will need to pay the difference upfront to the College. If your study information is not showing, please contact us for assistance.
Visit Study Assist for the HELP loan limit that applies to your year of study.
How do I apply?
1. Arrange your Tax File Number (TFN) through the Australian Taxation Office if you do not already have one
2. Make sure you have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) and provide it to us by the relevant census date. For more information, visit usi.gov.au
3. Read the current FEE-HELP Information Booklet and FEE-HELP Fact Sheet
4. After accepting your offer of enrolment, please tell us that you wish to apply for FEE-HELP. We will then provide access to the FEE-HELP electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF)
5. Complete the eCAF with your USI, TFN and personal details, and submit it on or before the relevant census date. Make sure your details match your TFN and USI records. Keep a copy of your submitted eCAF
Waiting for your TFN? Provide us with an ATO Certificate of application for a TFN on or before the census date. Applying for a TFN alone, or providing an Australia Post receipt, is not sufficient. You must then provide your TFN within 21 days from the date the ATO issues your TFN advice.
If you do not submit your eCAF and meet the relevant requirements by the census date, you cannot use FEE-HELP for the affected units and must pay those tuition fees directly to the College.
How do I repay my FEE-HELP debt?
You must make compulsory repayments when your repayment income exceeds the threshold for the relevant financial year. The ATO calculates your compulsory repayment through the tax system. You can also make voluntary repayments. Repayment income can include amounts other than wages.
If you do not submit your eCAF and meet the relevant requirements by the census date, you cannot use FEE-HELP for the affected units and must pay those tuition fees directly to the College.
If you do not submit your eCAF and meet the relevant requirements by the census date, you cannot use FEE-HELP for the affected units and must pay those tuition fees directly to the College.
