Frequently asked questions
- What courses are available through VET FEE-HELP?
- What is a full fee paying program?
- How much can I borrow through VET FEE-HELP?
- How can I find out my VET FEE-HELP balance?
- Do VET FEE-HELP loans attract interest?
- When do I start repaying my debt?
- I’m not 18 – can I apply for VET FEE-HELP?
- When do I need to submit a Request for VET FEE-HELP Assistance form?
- How often do I need to submit a Request for VET FEE-HELP Assistance form?
- How do I get a tax file number (TFN)?
- What if my tax file number (TFN) is not issued in time for Census Date?
- How do I cancel my Request for VET FEE-HELP Assistance?
- Can I study part-time and still access VET FEE-HELP?
- What does VET FEE-HELP cover?
- Is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) available under VET FEE-HELP?
- What is a Census Date?
- What is an Administration Date?
- What is a Withdrawal Date?
- Do I need to make any payments towards Tuition fees before Census Date?
- Can I make payments to reduce my tuition debt prior to Census Date?
- How do I make a payment towards Tuition Fees after Census Date?
- I have been accepted to a government subsidised program, what are my payment options
- Can I withdraw from my unit/s?
- What happens if Southbank discontinues the program I am enrolled in?
- As an International student am I eligible for VET FEE-HELP?
- Do I need a Tax File Number TFN?
- What is a CHESSN?
- What is a CAN?
- What do I do if my CAN is incorrect?
- What is EFTSL?
- Where can I get further information?
What courses are available through VET FEE-HELP?
As a VET Provider, Southbank Institute of Technology can offer this payment scheme for programs that have been approved by the Australian Government.
What is a full fee paying program?
If you choose to study a fee paying program then the government does not contribute towards your program costs. The fees for these programs are set by Southbank Institute and differ from program to program.
Please be aware that tuition fees are set for each unit that Southbank Institute delivers. To identify the fees for the units delivered within your specific program, please see the VET FEE-HELP Fee Schedule
How much can I borrow through VET FEE-HELP?
The FEE-HELP limit is increased each year according to Consumer Price Index (CPI). The current limit for 2009-2010 is $85, 062.
How can I find out my FEE-HELP balance?
Your FEE-HELP balance is affected by any FEE-HELP and VET FEE-HELP loans. Your current balance is available through the myUniAssist link on www.goingtouni.gov.au. Please contact Southbank Institute if you do not have a record of your CHESSN number to access this information.
Do VET FEE-HELP loans attract interest?
A VET FEE-HELP loan is indexed according to CPI (Consumer Price Index) but is otherwise interest-free. A loan fee of 20% will apply to all eligible VET courses of study. This fee is applied to the outstanding tuition fees and resulting VET FEE-HELP assistance a student receives; however it does not count towards the FEE-HELP limit. E.g. A loan of $1,000 will result in a student having to pay back $1,200, but only $1000 will be deducted from the FEE-HELP limit ($85, 062).
When do I start repaying my debt?
You start repaying your debt when you repayment income is above the minimum repayment threshold for compulsory repayment. The minimum threshold is $43, 151, and at this level the repayment rate is 4% of your income. As your income increases so does this repayment rate.
I’m not 18 – can I apply for VET FEE-HELP?
Your age is not a condition of applying for VET FEE-HELP. If you meet the eligibility criteria as stated you can apply and access this scheme.
When do I need to submit a Request for VET FEE-HELP Assistance form?
A Request for VET FEE-HELP Assistance form must be lodged before the Census Date, however if the form is lodged after the Administration Date a Late Enrolment Fee will be charged ($50).
How often do I need to submit a Request for VET FEE-HELP Assistance form?
A Request for VET FEE-HELP Assistance form only needs to be lodged once for each VET course of study (program). If you change your VET course of study, a new Request for VET FEE-HELP Assistance form must be lodged with Southbank Institute.
How do I get a tax file number (TFN)?
If you do not have a TFN, you will need to complete a Tax file number application or enquiry for an individual form, available from the Tax Office website www.ato.gov.au.
It is essential to apply early as this can take up to 28 days to be supplied.
What if my tax file number (TFN) is not issued in time for Census Date?
If you have applied for a TFN but not received it within 10 days of the Census Date you should request a Certificate of application for a tax file number from the Tax Office.
You must then quote your TFN to Southbank Institute within 21 days of receiving your TFN.
How do I cancel my Request for VET FEE-HELP Assistance?
If you choose to pay your tuition fees upfront there is no need to cancel your Request for VET FEE-HELP Assistance form.
If you are wishing to cancel your Request for VET FEE-HELP Assistance for any other reason you may do so by notifying Southbank Institute of Technology at any time up to or on the Census Date.
Can I study Part-time and still access VET FEE-HELP?
Yes
What does VET FEE-HELP cover?
VET FEE-HELP can cover all or part of your tuition fees, i.e. you can choose to apply it to all or part of your VET unit of study debt. VET FEE-HELP provides a loan for tuition fees only, and does not cover additional text books, equipment, travel, tools, accommodation or general living expenses.
Is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) available under VET FEE-HELP?
Students wanting to apply for RPL still have the opportunity to defer their fees through VET FEE-HELP. You will need to submit an Application for VET FEE-HELP Assistance prior to the relevant Census Date and meet the RPL Requirements.
What is a Census Date?
The Census Date is the closing date by which you must apply for VET FEE-HELP assistance, and the final date that you can withdraw from a VET unit of study without incurring financial liability, and as such a debt to the Commonwealth Government.
What is an Administration Date?
The Administration Date is set earlier than the Census Date by which time you are required to enrol or lodge your Request for VET FEE-HELP Assistance, or be charged the Late Enrolment Fee. This is also the date by which time you should make any changes to your enrolment, including withdrawal, or pay the Change Enrolment Fee.
What is a Withdrawal Date?
The Withdrawal Date is 21 days before close of study, and is the final date to withdraw without academic penalty, i.e. a not competent ‘M’.
Do I need to make any payments towards tuition fees before Census Date?
No, however all incidental fees (including fines) must be paid on enrolment.
Can I make payments to reduce my tuition debt prior to Census Date?
Yes, you can make payments to Southbank Institute at any time prior to the Census Date. This will reduce the overall balance that will be transferred to DEEWR and payable via the ATO. The balance remaining at Census Date also attracts the 20% DEEWR Loan Fee.
How do I make a payment towards tuition fees after Census Date?
Repaying your VET FEE-HELP loan occurs through the taxation system once your income reaches the minimum threshold for compulsory repayments. You can elect to make voluntary repayments of any amount at any time to the ATO. These voluntary repayments are in addition to compulsory repayments. For any voluntary payments over $500 you will receive a 10% bonus.
I have been accepted to a government subsidised program, what are my payment options?
Southbank Institute will in some cases run the same program under multiple funding models. If you have been accepted to a government subsidised program you are able to access the payment methods which have traditionally been available at Southbank Institute.
You are not eligible to access VET FEE-HELP unless you are studying as a full fee paying student. If you wish to defer your fees through VET FEE-HELP you will need to enrol in the full fee version of your program.
Can I withdraw from my unit/s?
You may at any time during a semester, cancel enrolment for the semester or amend it by withdrawing from one or more units of study.
However, the cancellation of enrolment may be subject to academic penalty and/or financial penalty as follows:
- Withdrawal from unit/s of study or change of enrolment prior to the Administration Date:
- no academic penalty; and
- no financial penalty.
- Withdrawal from unit/s of study or change of enrolment after the Administration Date but before the Census Date:
- no academic penalty
- financial penalty/fine ($50 per VET unit of study affected by change/withdrawal).
- Withdrawal from unit/s of study or change of enrolment after the Census Date but prior to the Withdrawal Date:
- no academic penalty
- full financial liability to the Commonwealth Government.
- Withdrawal from unit/s of study or change of enrolment after the Census Date and after the Withdrawal Date:
- academic penalty
- full financial liability to the Commonwealth Government.
For further information please view our VET FEE-HELP Tuition Fee Refund Policy
What happens if Southbank discontinues the VET course of study I am enrolled in?
VET Tuition Assurance is an arrangement between Southbank Institute and an external party intended to protect you in the event that Southbank Institute ceases to provide a VET course of study in which you are enrolled.
Under this arrangement you are offered a choice of enrolling with another VET provider in a similar course or receiving a refund of upfront payments or re-credit of FEE-HELP balance.
Southbank Institute is committed to protecting students through an arrangement for tuition assurance with TAFE Directors Australia. For further information please access our VET tuition assurance statement.
As an International student am I eligible for VET FEE-HELP?
No, an applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent humanitarian visa holder who will be a resident in Australia for the duration of the VET unit of study.
Do I need a Tax File Number (TFN)?
You will need to meet certain tax file number (TFN) requirements in order to be eligible for VET FEE-HELP assistance. This includes the requirement to provide your TFN when completing and signing a Request for VET FEE-HELP Assistance form. If you choose not to provide your TFN, you will not be entitled to VET FEE-HELP.
If you do not have a TFN then you should obtain a Certificate of application for a tax file number from the Australian Tax Office (ATO), and provide this to Southbank Institute on or before the Census Date. If you cannot quote your TFN or supply a Certificate of application for a tax file number on or before the Census Date, you will not be entitled to VET FEE-HELP.
Southbank Institute uses students’ TFNs to provide advice to the ATO regarding the amount of each student’s loan.
What is a CHESSN?
The Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN) is a unique identifier used to track individual student FEE-HELP balances and the recording of VET FEE-HELP debt. This is used by Southbank Institute in communications with the Australian Government.
What is a CAN?
Southbank Institute will issue each student who has submitted the Application for VET FEE-HELP Assistance with a Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN). This will outline enrolments and associated VET FEE-HELP debt for the enrolment period.
Your CAN is your record of what debt has been transferred to the Australian Government by Southbank Institute. You should keep a record of all CANs sent to you, as it is your responsibility to be aware of your FEE-HELP balance.
What do I do if my CAN is incorrect?
If you have identified an error with your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) you will need to submit in writing for the notice to be corrected. This request must be made within 14 days of the issue date on the original CAN. Once Southbank Institute is satisfied that the information in the notice is not, or has ceased to be, correct, Southbank Institute will issue a further CAN to you setting out the correct information.
What is EFTSL?
Equivalent Full Time Study Load (EFTSL) value for a VET unit of study represents the study load for that unit. A study load for a VET unit of study is expressed as a proportion of the standard study load for one full time year of the VET course of study of which it forms a part. The value for units of study undertaken by a full time student doing a standard study load for one year normally adds up to 1.0. Students doing less or more would have an aggregate EFTSL value reflecting this. E.g. 0.5 or 1.2.
Where can I get further information?
For detailed information, including a ‘VET FEE-HELP Information booklet’, please refer to the following Australian Government website:
www.deewr.gov.au/vetfeehelp or contact us at Southbank Institute of Technology.
Last updated 23 April, 2010