Eligibility for New Zealand citizens

Information for NZ students

Find out if you are eligible for HELP financial assistance when studying at Macquarie University.

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible to access HELP if, by the relevant census date, you:

1. are a New Zealand citizen who holds a Special Category Visa (SCV)
2. began residing in Australia at least 10 years ago as a child under 18 years of age, and, at that time, you did not have a spouse or de facto partner; and
3. have been in Australia for at least:
   1. a total of eight out of the past 10 years; and
   2. a total of 18 months out of the last two years.

Note: From 29 June 2023, New Zealand Citizens who formerly held a Special Category Visa, and have transitioned to a permanent visa on the pathway to Australian Citizenship, will retain access to Higher Education Loan Program if they meet the residency requirements. Further information can be found on Department of Education's website.

How do I know if I am a New Zealand Special Category Visa (SCV) holder?

If you are unsure if you are a New Zealand Special Category Visa holder, you will be able to check this on the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system, from the Department of Home Affairs.

You can also lodge a Request for your International Movement Records with the Department of Home Affairs, to check if you meet the above residency requirements (as advised in points 2 and 3). Requests can take between 14 and 28 days to be issued.

Note: You must provide all the required documents and be assessed as eligible by the relevant census date, to be able to defer your fees for the particular session concerned. Otherwise, you will be required to make full payment of fees to the University for that session.

What do I need to do?

If you believe you meet all the SCV criteria, and you would like to request HELP assistance, you will need to do all of the following:

1. Complete the NZ special category visa holder applying for higher education loans form.
2. Provide proof that you currently hold a NZ Special Category Visa (by providing a copy of your NZ passport) AND meet the long-term residency in Australia requirements. Examples of proof include:
   • your International Movement Records
   • Australian academic transcripts (including VET transcripts) dated when you were a minor
   • school reports or certificates
   • enrolment papers from when you were a minor
   • Australian proof of age card from when you were a minor
   • Australian student ID card or concession card
   • stamped passport
   • payslips or payment summaries from when you were a minor
   • certificate of application for a Tax File Number, Tax File Number advice or notification of assessment of income tax dated from when you were a minor.
3. Complete the relevant HELP form on eStudent (if you have not done so already).

You will be advised whether or not you meet the requirements for HELP assistance, once the University has assessed your documents.

Where can I get further information and assistance?

You can learn more or get help by:

• visiting Student Connect at 18 Wally’s Walk, Level 2 MUSE
• raising an online enquiry through AskMQ
• calling us on +61 (2) 9850 6410.

You can also find more information on the Government’s StudyAssist website.