Loans and discounts for local students
To help you pay your fees as a local student, a range of loans and discounts are provided by the Australian and Victorian governments. At Swinburne, we also offer various loans and scholarships to help you achieve your academic goals.
Whether you’re looking to study a vocational education course or an undergraduate or postgraduate course, a variety of loans, discounts and scholarships are available to help you with your tuition fees.
As with any loan or financial document, eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. You should make sure you fully understand the terms of your loan or agreement before applying.
Vocational education students
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Free TAFE for Priority Courses
Check if you’re eligible for Victorian Government-subsidised training. If so, you can access the Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative to have your tuition fees covered when you study an approved course.
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Skills First program
Skills First is a Victorian Government program that can help you access vocational education and training. If you’re eligible, the government will contribute to the cost of your training.
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VET Student Loan
The VET Student Loan (VSL) program helps eligible students enrolled in approved diploma-level courses or above pay the tuition fees of an approved provider like Swinburne.
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Trade Support Loans
Doing an apprenticeship? You may be able to get a Trade Support Loan of up to A$21,078 from the Australian Government to help with your ordinary living expenses.
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Fee concessions for vocational students
Check your eligibility for vocational education fee discounts and concessions of 80% off standard tuition fees for units and courses at Swinburne.
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Job-ready Graduates Package
Are you looking to boost your job prospects? The Australian Government is subsidising a limited number of courses in key priority areas in 2021 meaning you could study now for less.
Undergraduate and postgraduate students
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HECS-HELP loan
Most local students studying an undergraduate degree in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) as well as UniLink students can pay their tuition fees via a HECS-HELP loan.
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FEE-HELP loan
If you’re a full-fee-paying undergraduate, postgraduate, UniLink or Open Universities (OUA) student, a FEE-HELP loan can help you pay all or part of your tuition fees.
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SA-HELP loan
The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) pays for important student services and amenities such as health and welfare services. SA-HELP loans are only available to students required to pay the SSAF.
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STARTUP-HELP loan
If you’re a full-fee-paying student enrolled in a Startup Year course, a STARTUP-HELP loan can help you pay all or part of your tuition fees.
Small loans
No-interest loans
At Swinburne, we offer the No-Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) alongside our partners Good Shepherd Microfinance for essential living products for those experiencing financial hardship. These small, no-interest loans of A$300–A$1,200 are designed to pay for essential items such as:
- household appliances (e.g. toaster, heater)
- some medical and dental services
- furniture (e.g. beds, mattresses, tables)
- education (e.g. course materials, course fees)
- vehicle repairs
- computers.
NILS is available to students who can demonstrate that they are in financial hardship and repayments are spread over a 12-month period. The loans cost nothing to set up and accrue no interest.
NILS loan eligibility
To be eligible, you need to:
- hold a Health Care Card or Pension Card or be on a low income
- have lived in your current residence for at least three months
- state a clear purpose for the loan (e.g. "I need a NILS loan to buy a bed")
- show your willingness and ability to repay the loan.
Need financial support and resources?
Whether it's assistance with study and living expenses or financial information, help is available.