VET FEE-HELP Information


VET_FEE_HELPVET FEE-HELP is a loan scheme for the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector that is part of the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP). At Avondale, VET FEE-HELP covers the Diploma of Outdoor Recreation tuition fees for eligible Australians Citizens and holders of an Australian Permanent Humanitarian Visa.

Each eligible student has a total lifetime limit of all FEE-HELP (both VET and Higher Education) which they can borrow. For 2012, the limit is $89,706. In 2013, the limit will be $93,204.

VET FEE-HELP Eligibiity Requirements


An eligible student is:
  • an Australian citizen or a Permanent Humanitarian Visa holder
  • is a full-fee paying student, or an eligible subsidised student in a Reform State or Territory, enrolled on or before the census date in an eligible unit of study through an approved VET provider and remains enrolled in the unit at the end of the census date
  • meets the tax file number requirements
  • has completed, signed and submitted a valid Request for VET FEE-HELP assistance form for the unit or the course of which the unit forms a part, on or before the census date
  • not exceeded the FEE-HELP limit


Request for VET FEE-HELP assistance form


If you are eligible for VET FEE-HELP assistance and would like to obtain a VET FEE-HELP loan for your course, you should contact the Student Finance Office who can assist you in confirming your eligibility and provide you with the VET FEE-HELP Information booklet and Request for VET FEE-HELP assistance form.

You must read the Information booklet before completing and signing the form, when completing the form, you must tick all relevant boxes and sign the declaration. You must return the form it to the Student Finance Office on or before the census date (or the earlier date set by your VET provider) for the first unit of study for which you wish to obtain VET FEE-HELP assistance. You should contact Student Finance if you are unsure how to complete the form.

You are now able to complete the Request for VET FEE-HELP assistance form online in Student Connect. It is found under the Enrolment Tab and is known as ECAF. We urge all students to complete the Request for VET FEE-HELP assistance form online.

VET FEE-HELP Payment Options


If you are eligible, have completed a Request for VET FEE-HELP assistance form and have supplied a valid Tax File Number (TFN) for your current program of study, you have the following payment options:
  • The tuition component of your current VET FEE-HELP program will be deferred to the ATO if you choose not to make a payment prior to census date.
  • If you choose to make a partial payment of VET FEE-HELP tuition fee prior to the due date, the balance of your tuition fees will be deferred to the ATO.
  • Pay your tuition fees in full prior to the due date.

Please note that VET FEE-HELP covers tuition fees only. It does not cover other fees such as residence hall fees, textbooks, transport, etc. Payment is still required for these fees.

There is no application fee or interest charged* on your VET FEE-HELP debt, however there are loan fees that may be applicable:
  • VET courses - 20% loan fee

Any loan fee do not count towards your FEE-HELP limit.

*Your debt is indexed annually by the Australian Tax Office (ATO) to maintain its real value.

Please remember to keep your Tuition Invoice for your records.

Late Payments


Avondale is unable to accept any up-front payments for your tuition after the Census Date for the period of enrolment.

The amount shown on your Tuition Invoice as VET FEE-HELP Tuition Fee will be deferred to the Australian Tax Office (ATO) if you have completed a Request for VET FEE-HELP assistance form, have provided a valid TFN and are eligible for VET FEE-HELP . If you wish to make a voluntary repayment at any time in the future you can contact the ATO on 1300 650 225 or visit their website www.ato.gov.au.

Discontinuing VET FEE-HELP


If you wish to discontinue with VET FEE-HELP , you must provide Student Finance with written notification prior to the Census Date for that period of enrolment.

Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN)


Under the guidelines of the Higher Education Support Act (HESA) 2003, Avondale must issue a Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) to all Commonwealth Supported Student (HECS, FEE-HELP, VET FEE-HELP and OS-HELP) after the Census Date for each period of enrolment.

The CAN includes important information about your enrolment such as your tuition amounts, any payments received and any VET FEE-HELP assistance you have received.

The CAN is made available through Student Connect (eCAN). After the relevant Census Date, Student Finance will send out an email advising you that the eCAN is available for viewing. You will need to select eCAN under the Finance heading on home page of Student Connect. We advise that you keep a printed copy of the eCAN for your records.

If you do not agree with the details listed on your eCAN, you have 14 days from the date of issue of the eCAN, in which to make a written appeal to Student Finance.


Further information on VET FEE-HELP is available at www.studyassist.gov.au