Student contribution amounts
This information applies to Commonwealth Supported students only.
Contents:
Units are classified into one of four student contribution bands by strict criteria controlled by the federal government. Student contribution amounts are therefore applied at the unit of study level, not at the level of your course admission. You are charged the student contribution amounts for every unit in which you are enrolled as a Commonwealth Supported student. The fee is charged upon enrolment in the unit of study and incurred on the census date.
Student contribution amounts per unit
The following table shows the student contribution amounts per unit payable for commencing and continuing domestic undergraduate students in 2019 and 2020.
| Year | Student Contribution Band 1 | Student Contribution Band 2 | Student Contribution Band 3 | Student Contribution National Priority (NP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $820 | $1169 | $1369 | $656 |
| 2020 | $835 | $1190 | $1394 | $668 |
For students who commenced their course of study before 1 January 2010, the maximum annual student contribution amount that may be charged for Education and Nursing units $668 in 2020.
Students who started their course of study on or after 1 January 2010 are subject to the maximum student contribution amount.
Student can find out how to check their HELP debt on the Study Assist website using your myGov account.
The following table shows the student contribution bands for each discipline area (i.e. the legislative classification).
| Discipline Area | 2010–2020 Student Contribution Band* | Pre 2010 Student Contribution Band |
|---|---|---|
| Law | 3 | 3 |
| Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce | 3 | 3 |
| Humanities | 1 | 1 |
| Mathematics, Statistics, Science | 2 | 2 |
| Behavioural Science, Social Studies | 1 | 1 |
| Computing, Built Environment, Health | 2 | 2 |
| Clinical Psychology, Foreign Languages, Visual & Performing Arts | 1 | 1 |
| Engineering, Surveying, Agriculture | 2 | 2 |
| Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science | 3 | 3 |
| Allied Health | 2 | 2 |
| Nursing | 1 | NP |
| Education | 1 | NP |
2020 Short Courses
The student fees for short courses in areas of national priority have been set at significantly discounted rates, see the table below for details. The discounted rates only apply for units completed in 2020 Session 2, Session 3, Study Period 5 or Study Period 6 within the approved short courses.
Fees for those non-priority areas are not discounted and charged at the standard student contribution amounts as listed above.
| Year | Student Contribution Short Course 1 (SC1)* | Student Contribution Short Course 1 (SC2)* |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $312 | $625 |
Discounted student course fees for short course Undergraduate Certificates and Graduate Certificates in fields of national priority.
| Field of education | Band |
|---|---|
| Agriculture, English, Foreign Languages, Mathematics, Nursing, Teaching, Psychology | SC1 |
| Allied Health, Architecture and Building, Engineering, Environmental studies, Information Technology, Medical Science, Other Health, Science | SC2 |
Calculating your student contribution amount for the year
When calculating your student contribution amount for the year, it is important to understand that you may be charged different Student Contribution Bands depending on the unit/s in which you are enrolled.
To find out which Student Contribution Band your unit falls into please refer to:
- Student Contribution Amounts Per Unit 2019
- Student Contribution Amounts Per Unit 2020
- Or go to Search for a SCU unit.
The following examples demonstrate how a student would calculate their student contribution amount for the year.
Example 1: full-time student
Peter is enrolled in the Bachelor of Contemporary Music. He commenced study in 2018. In 2020 he has decided to study full-time (4 units in Session 1 and 4 units in Session 2).
The 4 units he has decided to study in Session 1 are classified as ‘Visual and Performing Arts’ and falls into the Student Contribution Band 1. The 4 units he has enrolled into for Session 2 are also classified as ‘Visual and Performing Arts’ and fall into the Student Contribution Band 1.
Peter will be charged the 2019 student contribution band as he commenced study after 2010.
| Session 1 | 4 × Visual and Performing Arts units (2010–2020 Student Contribution Band 1) |
4 × $835 | $3,340 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session 2 | 4 × Visual and Performing Arts units (2010–2020 Student Contribution Band 1) |
4 × $835 | $3,340 |
| Yearly total | $6,680 | ||
Therefore, Peter will be liable for $6,680 for studies undertaken in 2020.
Example 2: Part-time student
Michael is enrolled in the Bachelor of Business. He commenced study in 2019. In 2020 he has decided to study part-time (2 units in Session 1 and 1 unit in Session 2).
In Session 1 he is studying one unit which is classified as ‘Mathematics’ and falls into the Student Contribution Band 2, and his second unit is classified as ‘Accounting’ and falls into the Student Contribution Band 3. In Session 2 he is studying a unit which is classified as ‘Commerce’ and falls into the Student Contribution Band 3.
Calculations for study undertaken in 2020 are:
| Session 1 | 1 × Mathematics unit (2010–2020 Student Contribution Band 2) |
1 × $1,190 | $1,190 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 × Accounting unit (2010–2020 Student Contribution Band 3) |
1 × $1,394 | $1,394 | |
| Session 2 | 1 × Commerce unit (2010–2020 Student Contribution Band 3) |
1 × $1,394 | $1,394 |
| Yearly total | $3,978 | ||
Therefore, Michael will be liable for $3978 for studies undertaken in 2020.