VET Student Loans commenced on 1 January 2017, replacing the VET FEE-HELP scheme. The VET Student Loans program offers greater protection for students and focuses on courses that address industry needs, creating better opportunities for employment. VET Student Loans offers income contingent loan support to eligible students studying certain diploma level and above vocational education and training qualifications. Eligible students are entitled for loans up to a capped amount.

For more information, click here.

To receive a VET Student Loan, you must:

1. Be an eligible student
2. Be studying an approved course
3. Be studying with an approved provider
4. Apply to the government using the approved electronic form
5. Confirm your engagement and progression to continue to access the loan throughout your course
6. Be an Australian Citizen; or A New Zealand Special Category Visa (SCV) holder who meets the long term residency requirements; or a permanent humanitarian visa holder
7. Not have exceeded the FEE-HELP limit (for 2021 this is $108,232 for most students)
8. Have been assessed as academically suited by ASG to undertake the course by either:
   1. Providing your Australian Year 12 Certificate
   2. Providing evidence of successful completion of an AQF Certificate IV or higher qualification; or
   3. Undertaking a Language, Literacy & Numeracy test to demonstrate competence Exit level 3
9. Meet the Tax File number (TFN) requirements
10. Have or obtain a Unique Student Identifier (USI)

You should also understand that:

• A loan fee of 20% applies (this is added to your VETSL debt at the ATO) – Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, this has been waived until the 30th June 2021.

• You must repay your VSL debt when your income exceeds the repayment threshold. For the 2020-2021 year this is $46,620 and is adjusted annually.

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