Eligible Commonwealth supported students can obtain a HECS-HELP loan and defer payment of their student contribution amount (SCA).

You repay the loan through the tax system once your repayment income reaches the minimum repayment threshold ($47,196 for the 2011-12 income year) and/or by making voluntary repayments to the Tax Office. 

Only Australian citizens and holders of permanent humanitarian visas are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.

New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents without a humanitarian visa cannot obtain a HECS-HELP loan, but they must pay up-front without discount.

After the census date, UQ reports the details of your semester, trimester or teaching period debt to the Tax Office. 

To obtain a HECS-HELP loan, you need to submit a Request for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELP form:

1. Log on to your mySI-net home page, select your ‘Financial’ link, then ‘HECS-HELP eCAF’, and select the ‘Obtain a HECS-HELP loan’ payment option.
   
    
2. You must quote your Tax File Number (TFN) if you want a HECS-HELP loan for all or part of your SCA. Failure to provide your TFN will make you ineligible for a HECS-HELP loan and unless you pay your SCA up-front without the discount to UQ by the census date, your provisional enrolment will be cancelled for non-payment of fees.
   
    
3. After enrolment you can generally view your liability via the 'Financial' link on your mySI-net home page.  Allow one working day for any changes to be re-calculated if you change your enrolment or payment option.
   
    
4. If you subsequently change your program (e.g. from a Bachelor of Arts to a dual Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education), you must immediately submit a new Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP form to record your payment option for the new program, or your enrolment will be cancelled.
   
    
5. Eligible students can make a partial up-front payment of $500 or more to the University and receive a 10% discount on the payment amount to reduce their HECS-HELP loan.  The payment must be made by the census date.
   
    
6. Please visit the How to pay page for methods of payment
    
7. Shortly after the census date for each semester, trimester or teaching period, you will be advised via your UQ email address that your online Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) is available for viewing on mySI-net.  It lists your enrolled program and courses and the calculation of your liability.  If you believe any information is incorrect, immediately visit a student centre or contact Student Fees online at www.uq.edu.au/uqanswers or telephone (07) 3365 2328.