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Commonwealth supported places
About Commonwealth supported places
You are entitled to a Commonwealth supported place in an eligible program if you:
- meet the citizenship and residency requirements
- have sufficient Student Learning Entitlement to cover your enrolment
- complete an electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF)
- meet the University's entry requirements for your chosen program.
The options available for paying your student contribution will depend on your eligibility for HECS-HELP.
After accepting your offer you will be required to complete an electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) via USCCentral. If you are eligible to defer all or part of your student contribution to HECS-HELP you will be prompted to provide your Tax File Number (TFN).
You must ensure you have provided your TFN on or before the fee due date. Regularly check your student emails for reminders or refer to your To Do List in USCCentral.
Whilst all undergraduate programs offered by USC are Commonwealth supported, only a small number of postgraduate programs admit students on a Commonwealth supported basis. Refer to your individual program information to see if your postgraduate program is Commonwealth supported.
If you choose not to be Commonwealth supported (and we encourage you to carefully consider this option) you must notify the USC in writing on or before the census date stating the program in which you do not wish to be Commonwealth supported.
Further information for Commonwealth supported students or student learning entitlements can be found on the Study Assist website.
Current student contribution amounts for Commonwealth supported places are available on the schedule of fees.
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Eligibility for transitional arrangements
USC will use available information to make an initial assessment of whether a student is eligible for transitional arrangements detailed below. If you are not satisfied with this initial assessment you should complete an Application for Pre-2008, Pre-2009, Pre-2010, Pre-2011 or Pre-2012 Commonwealth Supported Student form available on the USC portal under the Student Central tab then select ‘How To….’. Please ensure you read the guidelines available on the portal outlining eligibility requirements and examples of evidence required to support your application. All applications must be submitted prior to the census date of the relevant study period.
Pre-2010, Pre-2011 or Pre-2012 students
Students who prior to 2010 studied at any higher education provider as a Commonwealth supported student and enrol at USC after 1 January 2010 who wish to be considered eligible for Pre-2010, Pre-2011 or Pre-2012 status must lodge an Application for Pre-2008, Pre-2009 or Pre-2010 Commonwealth Supported Student form accompanied with supporting evidence prior to the census date of the relevant study period. Evidence must include confirmation of enrolment in the previous course as a Commonwealth supported student. Eligibility cannot be granted retrospectively for an application made after the census date.
The student contribution amounts for pre-2010, Pre-2011 and Pre-2012 students for courses in the areas of mathematics, statistics and science will be calculated at the National Priority (Band NP9) student contribution rate. Courses in the areas of accounting, administration, economics and commerce will be calculated at the student contribution band 3 rate.
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Pre-2009 students
Students who prior to 2009 studied at any higher education provider as a Commonwealth supported student and enrol at USC after 1 January 2009, who wish to be considered for Pre-2009 status must lodge an Application for Pre-2008, Pre-2009 or Pre-2010 Commonwealth Supported Student form with supporting evidence prior to the census date of the relevant study period. Evidence must include confirmation of enrolment in the previous course as a Commonwealth supported or fee paying student. Eligibility cannot be granted retrospectively for an application made after the census date of the relevant study period.
The student contribution amounts for pre-2009 students for courses in the areas of accounting, administration, economics and commerce will be calculated at the student contribution band 3 rate. This enitlement will cease on 31 December 2012.
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Pre-2008 students
Students who prior to 2008 studied at any higher education provider as a Commonwealth supported student, who enrol at USC after 1 January 2008 and who wish to be considered an eligible student must complete an Application for Pre-2008, Pre-2009 or Pre-2010 Commonwealth Supported Student form and provide evidence prior to the census date of the relevant study period at USC. Evidence must include contribution to the previous course as a Commonwealth supported student and non-completion of the course requirements as at 31 December 2007. Eligibility cannot be granted retrospectively for a study period, that is, after the census date of the relevant study period.
The student contribution amounts for pre-2008 students for courses in the areas of accounting, administration, economics and commerce will continue to be calculated at the student contribution band 2 rate. The transitional arrangements relating to pre-2008 students end on 31 December 2012. This enitlement will cease on 31 December 2012.
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Pre-2005 students
A pre-2005 HECS student is a continuing student who commenced their course prior to 2005 as a HECS-liable student.
Pre-2005 transitional arrangements ended 31 December 2008. From 2009 all students will be subject to the 2005 arrangements, regardless of whether or not they have completed their course. Pre-2005 eligible students have been transitioned to pre-2008 eligible students effective 1 January 2009.
Enquiries
For more information, contact Student Administration or email the student finance team direct.
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