For domestic students who are offered Commonwealth supported places, the Australian Government provides some funding to higher education providers, but there is also a student contribution amount (SCA) which varies depending on the teaching matter (discipline) of the courses undertaken.

With regard to student contribution amounts, Commonwealth supported students fall into two categories:

• Australian citizens and holders of a permanent humanitarian visa are eligible for an Australian Government loan – called HECS-HELP. These students do not have to pay their SCA up-front - they can defer the liability and only begin repaying their loans when they earn above the repayment threshold amount. This is indexed annually and is $47,196 for the 2011/2012 income year. However, if these students elect to pay up-front to the University by the census date, they receive a 10% discount.
   
• New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent non-humanitarian visa must pay their student contribution amounts up-front and do not qualify for HECS-HELP loans or a discount for up-front payments. This is not a UQ policy, but a decision of the Australian Government.

For more information, including the student contribution amounts by band, view the Australian Government's booklet Information for Commonwealth Supported Students (PDF)