How to afford university
By Brayden MillarPublished on
While the cost of university can seem intimidating at first, most Australian students don’t actually pay their full university fees upfront. This guide explains how you can defer your fees and manage the other costs of study, so have a clearer picture before you enrol.
There are a few different ways to make studying at university more affordable. Many people manage it by deferring their fees through a government loan, accessing income support while they study, applying for a scholarship or working part time. Some even request help from their employer.
Let’s explore all your options now. If you’re not sure which ones apply to you, a student advisor can help you figure it out.
Defer your fees with a government loan
Most Australian students defer their tuition through a HELP loan and don’t start paying it back until they're earning above a certain threshold, which is $69,528 a year for the 2026-27 financial year. Once you earn above that amount, repayments are taken out of your pay as part of your income tax.
In other words, your bank balance on enrolment day doesn't need to cover a thing. You’ll generally apply for a HECS-HELP loan if you’re studying an undergraduate course, or a FEE-HELP loan if you’re studying a postgraduate course or single subject.
To understand exactly how government loans and repayments work, visit how to pay for university and HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP. For a broader look at what university can cost overall, see how much does university cost?
Access income support while you study
If you’re eligible, you may be able to receive regular payments from Services Australia while you study. The main options are Youth Allowance if you're under 25, Austudy if you're 25 or over, and ABSTUDY for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students.
On top of that, you may also be eligible for extra financial support. This can include:
- the Student Start-up Loan, which can help with study costs such as textbooks, a computer or internet access. You can borrow $1,349 at a time, up to twice a year.
- the Relocation Scholarship, which pays $5,707 in your first year if you need to move for study, $2,854 in years two and three, and $1,425 after that.
- the Education Entry Payment, which is an extra once-a-year $208 payment you can apply for if you’re studying an approved course.
Find out more about payment rates, eligibility and how to apply in our student allowances explained guide or on the Services Australia website.
Apply for a scholarships or grant
Scholarships can cover part of your fees or help with course materials and living costs, and you don't need to be a top-scoring school leaver to qualify. Many are aimed at mature-age students, career changers and people experiencing financial difficulty. Scholarships explained lists what's available and how to apply.
Explore discounts for living costs
Being a student can make you eligible for unexpected discounts that help with everyday living costs. You can access these either through your university or a platform like UNiDAYS. You may be able to save on software and subscriptions, as well as entertainment, fitness and technology.
You may also be eligible for reduced public transport fares. Eligibility varies between states and territories, and some concessions are limited to full-time or on-campus students. If you study online, check your state or territory transport authority to see what applies to you.
Studying online through Open Universities Australia can remove some of the bigger costs that come with attending a campus. In most cases, you won’t need to relocate to be closer to your chosen university, and you can avoid regular commuting costs. .
Ask your employer about support
Many employers will part-fund study, offer paid study leave or sponsor a qualification outright, and most people never think to ask. Check your enterprise agreement or employment contract first, since support is sometimes already built in and unused.
If you're raising it yourself, frame the conversation around what your employer gets back: skills they need, a role you can grow into, or work you can already apply what you're learning to. Ask about study leave for exams, flexibility around deadlines and whether professional development budgets can cover course fees or textbooks.
Can you claim study costs on tax?
If your course relates to your current job, some study expenses may be tax deductible, which changes what studying actually costs you. The general test is whether the study maintains or improves the skills you use in your current role, or is likely to increase your income from your current work. Study that qualifies you for new or different employment generally isn't deductible.
This is general information, not tax advice, and your situation will depend on your circumstances. Our self-education expenses guide and the Australian Taxation Office explain things in detail.
Lower-cost ways to study
You don't have to sign up for a full degree, or full-time study, on day one.
You can start with a single subject. This lets you test a course and a study routine before you take on the financial commitment of a qualification. If the study area doesn’t feel right for you, you can stop when the subject finishes rather than continuing to add to your HELP debt.
If you do want to tackle a qualification, you can choose a lighter part-time study load that lets you keep working while you study. This can mean it takes longer to finish your course, but completing just one subject at a time can reduce the financial pressure of cutting back on paid work.
And if you've studied before or have relevant work experience, you can apply for recognition of prior learning and receive credit for subjects you've effectively already completed. This will reduce both your overall course fees and the time you need to commit to your course.
If you're researching this for your child
Parents and carers often start this search on someone else's behalf. The same things apply: your child can defer their fees with a HELP loan rather than you covering costs upfront, they may qualify for income support or a scholarship in their own right, and studying online can remove relocation costs from the equation entirely. You don't need to fund the degree yourself for it to be achievable.
A student advisor can talk through options with your child directly, or with you both.
Can't afford it right now? Options
If cost or other commitments are making a full course feel out of reach right now, you still have options.
You can start with a single subject, choose a lighter study load or wait for a study term that works better with your circumstances.
Get help planning
None of this needs to be worked out alone. A student advisor can help you understand what your options are, explain how university fees and loans work, and talk you through what different courses cost. Get in touch with a student advisor or use Help Me Choose to explore courses that could suit you.
This article provides general information only and isn't financial advice. information is current as of September 2026. Figures and eligibility rules change, so check current details with Study Assist or Services Australia before making decisions about your own study and finances.
About the author
Brayden Millar
Student advisor specialising in fees and payment information
Brayden is driven by his purpose as a student advisor to make a real difference, especially for those who feel university is out of reach. He loves a good chat and relates particularly well to those moving from trades or vocational work into higher education.
FAQs about affording university
Can some courses cost less or lead to HELP debt reductions?
Yes. Your course can cost less if it offers Commonwealth supported places. When you enrol in one of these places, the Australian Government pays part of your course fees and you don't have to pay them back.
The government also sets lower course fees in some priority study areas, like teaching and nursing, to encourage more students to gain skills in areas where they’re needed.
There are even government programs that can reduce HELP debt for people who go on to work in certain areas.
For example, eligible teachers who work in very remote communities can have HELP debt from their teaching qualification reduced. Similar HELP debt reductions are available to eligible medical practitioners and nurse practitioners who work in rural, remote or very remote areas.
These programs have specific eligibility requirements and can change over time, so check the latest government information before relying on them.
Do uni students get money from Centrelink?
Yes, if you meet the eligibility requirements. Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY are the main ongoing payments, with one-off supports like the Student Start-up Loan and Relocation Scholarship alongside them.
Student allowances explained covers the detail, and you can check your own eligibility directly with Services Australia.
What can you do if you can't afford to start studying?
You don't need to have the full cost worked out before you begin. A student advisor can talk you through lower cost starting points, like single subjects. They can also explain government loans that may be available to you.
They can’t provide financial advice, but they can help you understand your study options and where to find more information.
