Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs)

What is a Commonwealth Supported place (CSP)?

1. Local students commencing Bachelor courses will be classified as Commonwealth Supported students (CSP).
2. There are also a limited number of postgraduate courses which are Commonwealth supported.

As a Commonwealth supported student the Australian government will pay part of your fees directly to our University and the remaining amount is paid by you. This amount is called your student contribution. Your invoice will show the student contribution amount, payable by you.

You are eligible to be Commonwealth supported for a unit of study if you:

• have received an offer of a Commonwealth Supported place for your course of study; and
• enrol in the unit on or before the census date and remain enrolled at the end of the census date; and
• the unit of study contributes to the requirements of a course of study in which the person is enrolled with the provider or another provider; and
• submit a completed Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP form (CAF Form); and
• have met the residency and citizenship requirements.

Can a student be Commonwealth supported for units they undertake which are additional to the award course requirements?
If a student can complete their award course of study, having satisfied all course requirements, without having to undertake the additional units, then the additional units are not eligible for HELP. This is because the additional units do not contribute towards the course of study.  Students may undertake additional units on a non-award basis and would need to make other arrangements to pay tuition costs.

Grandfathered students under the Job Ready Graduates Package

On 19 October 2020 the Australian Parliament passed the Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020.

This bill includes significant changes to Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) and student contributions from 2021.

Non-grandfathered students

From 1 January 2021, all students who are commencing a course of study in a CSP will pay the new student contribution amounts as shown below. You will also be considered a non-grandfathered student if you started your course before 2021 and make changes to that ongoing course. This includes:

• if you change your course of study to a new course
• if you change your course of study to a new course by moving from a double/combined degree to a single degree
• change your single to a double/combined degree
• you change your residency status to become a Commonwealth Supported student

Grandfathered students (pre-2021)

Grandfathered students (ie. students who commenced their course of study before 2021) in a CSP, will not be disadvantaged by these legislative changes - this is called a grandfathering arrangement.

You are considered to be a grandfathered student if the following (a, b, c) applies to you:

(a) any of the following apply to you:

• you commenced a course with Macquarie in a Commonwealth Supported Place before 1 January 2021 and are continuing in that course;
• you completed a course of study on or before 31 December 2020 and, on or after 1 January 2021, you commence an honours course that relates to the earlier course.
• in 2020 you were undertaking an enabling course and, on or after 1 January 2021, you commenced another course of study leading to a higher education award;
• in 2020 you were undertaking an undergraduate certificate/diploma course and, on or after 1 January 2021, you commence another course of study that relates to the undergraduate course and that is leading to a bachelor degree;

AND

(b) you were, at any time before 1 January 2021, a Commonwealth supported student in relation to a unit of study in the ongoing course, earlier course, enabling course or undergraduate course (as the case may be);

AND

(c) you undertake a unit of study as part of the ongoing course, honours course, later course or higher qualification course (as the case may be) that has a census date that is on or after 1 January 2021.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Any changes you make to your ongoing course of study could impact your "grandfathering" status - please see the information under Non-Grandfathered students above.

General principles and assumptions applied of grandfathering:

• Study must be continuous between courses where grandfathering is related to an “ongoing course”
• Enabling course refers to courses of study designed to ready potential students for higher education as a pathway to a degree. MUIC Diploma courses and Undergraduate Certificates and Undergraduate Diplomas are the only ‘enabling’ courses at MQ

Grandfathering scenarios

Combined HELP Limit

From 1 January 2020 a combined HELP limit for students was introduced for those using HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP.

The threshold amounts for 2021 are:

• $155,448 for medicine, dentistry and veterinary science students (as defined in the Higher Education Support Act 2003) and
• $108,232 for all other students.

The threshold amounts for 2022 are:

• $156,847 for medicine, dentistry, veterinary science (as defined in the Higher Education Support Act 2003), or eligible aviation students and
• $109,206 for all other students.

Only new HECS-HELP loans incurred from 1 January 2020 will be counted towards the limit. Any existing FEE-HELP Student Loans taken out prior to 2020 will count towards your new HELP balance.

Renewable HELP balance

From 1 January 2020, you can top up your HELP loan balance by making repayments on your debt. Only payments made after you lodge your tax return will count towards topping up your HELP Balance.

Repayments starting from the 2019-20 income year will top up a person's HELP balance.

Any compulsory or voluntary repayments can be re-borrowed in the future, up to the current HELP loan limit.

Once having exceeded these limits you must pay your fees upfront to the University by the relevant payment due date for each session of study.

It is your responsibility to monitor your HELP debt. You must advise the University before the relevant session census date if you believe you will exceed your limit. Please advise us by raising an AskMQ case with the subject line: "Attention eCAF Team".

Students who reach their limit will be required to pay any overdue amount directly upfront to the University.

How to check your HELP balance

You can find your total usage through the ATO website on your MyGov account or via the Government’s MyHELPbalance website. Please note it will not show your current session usage so please check your Commonwealth Assistance Notices (CANs) for your latest usage.

You will need your CHESSN to access MyUniAssist. You can find this on your CANs or please email: AskMQ with the subject line: "Attn: CommLoans Team".

What happens if you exceed your limit?

If you do exceed your limit, you will be required to pay the excess fees up front to the University. This may also mean that your account will be sanctioned and there will be restrictions placed on your enrolment and grades.

Residency requirements for CSP

• An Australian Citizen, for students who commenced their course of study prior to 1 January 2013; or
• An Australian citizen who will undertake in Australia at least one unit of study contributing to their course of study, for students who commenced their course of study on or after 1 January 2013
• Permanent Resident AND be a resident in Australia for the duration of your subject.
• New Zealand citizen AND be a resident in Australia for the duration of your subject.

If you are not residing in Australia (as indicated above) you are not eligible for a Commonwealth Supported place. This includes if you are studying at an overseas campus affiliated with Macquarie University. You will be assessed as a Domestic Fee Paying student.

Eligibility for New Zealand Citizens

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible to access HELP if you meet the criteria below by the relevant census date:

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. You have been in Australia for at least:

• a total of eight out of the past 10 years; and
• a total of 18 months out of the last 2 years

Please note: if you are, or become, an Australian permanent resident you will not be eligible for this HELP assistance by the Government.

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). Remember requests can take between 14-28 days to be issued.

Please 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:

• Complete the NZ special category visa holder applying for higher education loans form

You will need to provide proof that you meet the long-term residency in Australia requirements (as advised in points 2 and 3 above). 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.

You will also need to complete the relevant HELP form on eStudent (if you have not done so already). You will then 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 find out more or get some help by visiting Student Connect at 18 Wally's Walk, Level 2  MUSE,  make an online enquiry through AskMQ or call  us on 02 9850 6410.

You can also find further information on this on the government’s StudyAssist website.

Financial support available

There are two types of financial support available to students in Commonwealth Supported places.

HECS-HELP: available to assist with the cost of units of study.

SA-HELP : available to assist with the cost of the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)

You will need to provide your Tax File Number (TFN) to take advantage of both of these financial support options.

HECS-HELP

You are eligible to defer to a HECS-HELP loan with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) if you are enrolled in a unit of study as a Commonwealth supported student; and meet the citizenship or residency requirements. That is, you must be:

1. an Australian citizen AND studying at least one subject contributing to your course within Australia
2. the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa who will be resident in Australia for the duration of the unit
3. an eligible Special Category Visa (SCV) New Zealand citizen

HECS-HELP entitles a student to defer any unpaid student contribution amounts as at the census date to the Australian Taxation Office for collection under the taxation system. This is dependent on the student having supplied a Tax File Number to the University by the relevant census date

HECS-HELP discount: eligible students will receive a 10% discount on any up front payments (made by the due date) of their student contribution amount of $500 or more. For example, a $500 up front payment, will reduce your student contribution amount by $555. If you would like more information on how this amount is calculated, please see page 13 of the Department of Education's CSP booklet.

HECS-HELP is for unit(s) of study only and cannot be used to defer other costs (eg. SSAF).

Permanent Residents and New Zealand citizens (non eligible SCV holders) are not eligible for HELP loans and are required to make full up front payments to the University by the Payment Due Dates.

SA-HELP

Students who are liable for the Student Amenities and Services Fee (SSAF) can apply to defer their fees however they require a SA-HELP form which is different to the HECS-HELP form.

How to defer your fees

Log in to eStudent, click on following tabs:

My Offer  >  Submit Commonwealth Assistance  >  HECS-HELP eCAF  >  followed by a new SA-HELP (optional).

For more information on how to complete your eCAF, please refer to the section "Paying fees" below.

Students who commenced in 2009 or earlier (Pre-2010) in Education subjects

With the passage of legislation, the National Priority Rate of student contribution (tuition fees) was removed from 1 January 2018.

If you are a CSP student who commenced your course before 1 January 2010, from 1 January 2018, you will now be liable for the current year’s student contribution amounts.

You may need to look at the full list of student contribution bands for each unit.

How to pay

Once you enrol in unit/s you will be able to go to the ‘My Finances’ menu in eStudent and see the information you need on how to pay your fees.

Please note: Invoices are not sent to students, all payment details are found in your eStudent.

It is your responsibility to

1. Know the payment due date and
2. Ensure you make full payment or make payment arrangements by the relevant due dates

What if I can’t pay my fees on time?

• If you are unable to pay your fees by the ‘Payment Due Date’, you can still pay up until the census date however you will be charged a late payment fee of $200.
• If you are unable to pay your fees in full by the relevant study period ‘census date’ this may result in:
  • cancellation of enrolment in unpaid units and
  • if you are no longer enrolled in any unit/s in a study period, a ‘leave of absence’ status be recorded against your admitted course. This will count towards the maximum 12month duration. If you exceed this limit, you will need to re-apply if you wish to return to studies and be subject to the new course and fee requirements at that time.

Note: If you are an eligible student and wish to defer your contribution amounts to a HECS-HELP loan, the above actions will not occur if you have supplied your Tax File Number to the University on your approved HECS-HELP eCAF by the relevant Census Date.

When is the Payment Due Date

If you are enrolled in session based units the "Payment Due Date" is the Friday before the session begins. The "Payment Due Date" is about 4 weeks before the census date for these sessions.

Your specific Due Date will be listed on your Statement of Outstanding Charges which you can print out once you enrol into units from the My Finances menu in eStudent.

You can also see Payment due dates for a list of Due Dates and Census Dates for all study periods.

How do I pay fees

You can view or email your Statement of Outstanding Charges from your My Finances menu in eStudent. You can also email your statement to your official student email address by:

• Logging in to eStudent
• Selecting > “My Finances” tab
• Selecting > “Email my Statement of Outstanding Charges”.

Payment Options

1.  Pay your fees upfront to the University

• You can do this in eStudent under the My Finances menu or via one of the payment methods detailed here.

2.  Defer your fees (if eligible)

• If you are an eligible student you can defer your fees to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) through the Higher Education Loan Programme scheme (HELP).
  1. Eligible students are:
     1. Australian Citizens, or
     2. Permanent Humanitarian visa holders, or
     3. New Zealand citizens who have been assessed as meeting the above eligibility criteria.
  2. To be eligible to defer your fees you must complete the following by the relevant Census Date:
     1. Lodge a HECS-HELP application form (with tax file number) to defer your student contribution amounts only if you are in a Commonwealth Supported place AND
     2. If you have an outstanding Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) you may also like to defer this to the ATO by completing a separate SA-HELP application.

For help on "How do I complete an eCAF" or to check your New Zealand eligibility, please refer to our How to complete an eCAF guide.

Note: If you have already submitted the relevant approved HELP eCAFs, this will cover your program of study as long as the program has not changed. The fee charges will be transferred from your student account approximately two weeks after each census date.

HECS-HELP discount

Eligible students will receive a 10% discount on any up front payments (made by the due date) of their student contribution amount of $500 or more. For example, a $500 up front payment, will reduce your student contribution amount by $555.  If you would like more information on how this amount is calculated, please see page 13 of the Department of Education's CSP booklet.

Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)

The SSAF you are required to pay may vary depending on your student status and study load. The SSAF is adjusted daily in your account. You will be liable for any changes that you make to your student status and study load at the census date.

Please note: the SSAF does not trigger into your account until one day after you action an enrolment in units. Don’t forget to check eStudent > My Finances account at this time to check how much SSAF you may owe.

Further information on HECS-HELP places

For more information regarding HECS-HELP and Commonwealth Supported Places please refer to the Study Assist Webpage published by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment.

Additional financial support

Learn more about financial assistance for students and trainees on Services Australia’s website.

Income support for Masters degrees

In 2008, Youth Allowance and Austudy assistance was extended to eligible students undertaking masters by coursework study in approved courses.

The Macquarie University courses approved for full-time domestic students are:

• Doctor of Medicine
• Doctor of Physiotherapy
• Juris Doctor
• Master of Professional Accounting (pending approval for 2020)
• Master of Professional Accounting and Leadership (pending approval for 2020)
• Master of Actuarial Practice
• Master of Biotechnology
• Master of Biotechnology and Business
• Master of Chiropractic
• Master of Clinical Audiology
• Master of Clinical Neuropsychology
• Master of Clinical Psychology
• Master of Organisational Psychology
• Master of Planning
• Master of Professional Psychology
• Master of Public Health
• Master of Radiopharmaceutical Science
• Master of Speech and Language Pathology
• Master of Teaching (Birth to Five Years)

Courses no longer eligible for this benefit are:

• Master of Accounting
• Master of Environmental Planning
• Master of Geoscience
• Master of Information Technology
• Master of Special Education
• Master of Surgery

Courses which are pending approval from 2021 are:

• Master of Engineering in Electronics Engineering
• Master of Engineering in Networking and Telecommunications Engineering
• Master of Engineering in Environmental and Safety Engineering
• Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering

The Department of Education conducts an annual application round to review/approve courses under this program usually in June/July. To be eligible, the Masters by coursework courses must be:

• required for entry to a profession; or
• the fastest pathway to professional entry; or
• the only pathway provided by the higher education institution following a restructure of existing course delivery.

For information about their eligibility, Masters by coursework students should contact Department of Human Services (Centrelink) or look at this webpage.

Macquarie does not have any postgraduate Diploma or Certificate level courses approved for benefits.

If you would like to discuss this further please raise an enquiry through AskMQ.

Commonwealth support and HECS-HELP Booklet

For more information on Commonwealth Supported Places in 2021, please read the Department of Education's HECS-HELP booklet.