VET Student Loans

VET Student Loans (VETSL) is an Australian Government loan program that helps eligible students enrolled in approved courses at Diploma level or above pay their tuition fees.

The loan has income-contingent repayment arrangements, which means you only need to make repayments if you are earning above the minimum repayment threshold. You can make voluntary repayments at any time.

VET Student Loans will not be approved for students who do not meet the Commonwealth eligibility requirements.

A VETSL debt continues to be due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid and it may reduce your after-tax wage or salary. It may also reduce your borrowing capacity until it is repaid. You may wish to seek independent financial advice before applying for a loan.

For more information refer to the online resources available on Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website:

Student eligibility

To be eligible for a loan through VET Student Loans, you must meet specific criteria, including:

  • You are:
    • an Australian citizen; or
    • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and usually reside in Australia; or
    • a qualifying New Zealand citizen; or
    • a Pacific Engagement Visa holder who usually resides in Australia.
  • You have an available HELP balance of more than $0.00.
  • You are enrolled in an approved course and the course is studied primarily at a campus in Australia.
  • You have been assessed as academically suited to undertake the approved course by:
    • providing your Australian Senior Secondary Certificate; or
    • providing evidence of successful completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework Certificate IV or higher qualification (where the language of instruction is English); or
    • successful completion of an approved Language, Literacy and Numeracy test at Exit Level 3 in the Australian Core Skills Framework in both reading and numeracy.

To find out more, refer to the VET Student Loans Student Entry Procedure.

What do new students need to know?

Loan caps

Eligible students will be entitled for loans up to a capped amount. Providers may charge above this cap for a course, and if so, students will be expected to pay for the difference according to the provider’s billing period.

Administration date

The Administration date is the date that you should have completed and submitted your electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) by.

This will allow TasTAFE to issue VET Student Loan fee notices as per Commonwealth requirements at least 14 days prior to the census date. The administration date for a unit of study is available in the VET Student Loans 2024 Fee Schedule (PDF).

Census date

The census date represents the last date that you can withdraw from a unit of study. You must complete and submit the TasTAFE withdrawal form on or before this date if you do not wish to incur a debt.

The census date also represents the date that your tuition fees are due and your VET Student Loan debts become liable.

Eligible courses

Certain Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas are eligible for VET Student Loans that are linked to industry needs and employment outcomes.

If you wish to access a loan to study a higher level VET course, you will need to select one of the eligible courses listed in the VET Student Loans 2024 Fee Schedule (PDF).

Replacement courses

In cases where students were undertaking training with an approved VET Student Loans provider that closes, fails to start a course, or stops offering a course to eligible students, students may be placed with TasTAFE to continue their studies in an equivalent or similar course.

In cases where you are enrolled in a replacement course with TasTAFE:

  • You will be granted course credits for parts of your original course you successfully completed. You will be required to provide evidence through a Statement of Attainment issued by the relevant provider in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework; and
  • You will not be charged tuition fees for a replacement component of the replacement course with TasTAFE.

Repayment

Repaying your loan is required when your income reaches the repayment threshold. The threshold can be found at the Government Study Assist website. The maximum loan amount you can borrow from the Australian Government in 2024 is $121,844.

Engagement

You will be required to demonstrate you are progressing throughout your course. You will are required to log in online and acknowledge that you accept the loan you will receive for the course.

Withdrawals

To withdraw from a unit or course without incurring a debt, you need to complete withdrawal procedures by the census date.

You will be required to follow TasTAFE’s withdrawal procedures including signing and submitting TasTAFE’s withdrawal form on or before the census date associated with your unit/s of study. For more information about the withdrawal process, please refer to the Refund Policy (Word).

Policies and Procedures

Support

If you have any questions, concerns, or require more information regarding any element of VET Student Loans, please call the Department of Education and Training HELP Student Enquiry line on 1800 020 108 or email VETStudentLoans@education.gov.au