OS-HELP - The University of Sydney
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OS-HELP

If you’re studying in a Commonwealth supported place and you’re thinking of completing part of your studies overseas you may be eligible for OS-HELP.

1.
Overview and eligibility

Overview and eligibility

OS-HELP is a loan available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place who want to study part of their course overseas. OS-HELP can be used for a range of expenses such as airfares, accommodation and other travel or study expenses.

You can receive one loan per six-month study period and two OS-HELP loans over your lifetime.

Eligibility

You can apply for OS-HELP in the six-month period before the start of your overseas study. Your application needs to be for study that you have not yet completed.

You are eligible to apply if you are a Commonwealth supported student participating in a program where study is for academic credit or is otherwise a mandatory component of your current course at the University. This includes:

  • an approved exchange or study abroad program
  • an overseas professional placement (clinical, community, industry or internship)
  • a fieldwork program.

You also need to meet all of the criteria below.

  • You’re an Australian citizen, permanent humanitarian visa holder, eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder, pacific engagement visa (PEV) holder (effective from 1 February 2024), or a New Zealand Special Category Visa (SCV) holder, or eligible former New Zealand SCV holder who meets the long-term residency requirements and who will be resident in Australia at the time of applying.
  • You have not received an OS-HELP loan on more than one other occasion.
  • You are enrolled as a Commonwealth supported student.
  • You have completed 48 credit points (one Equivalent Full-Time Student Load (EFTSL)) towards your current Commonwealth supported course.
  • You will be undertaking full-time study overseas that will count towards the course requirements for the Australian course you are enrolled in.
  • You will have at least six credit points (0.125 EFTSL) of your course left to complete once you have finished your overseas study (usually one unit of study).
  • You have a valid tax file number (TFN) at the time of applying.
  • You have a Unique Student Identifier (USI).
  • You have submitted both the OS-HELP loan application and OS-HELP debt confirmation form.
  • You have read the OS-HELP Statement of terms and conditions booklet.

Eligibility criteria and legislation around OS-HELP can change, so see the Study Assist website for full details.

When you aren't eligible for OS-HELP

You are not eligible for OS-HELP if any of the following apply.

  • You are receiving FEE-HELP or SA-HELP but are not in a Commonwealth supported place.
  • You have received an OS-HELP loan for the same six-month period (counted from the start date of the overseas study for the first loan). For example, if you have received an OS-HELP loan for overseas study starting on 1 January, you cannot then be selected to receive a second OS-HELP loan for overseas study which begins before 2 July of that year.
  • You will complete the credit requirements of your course upon completion of your overseas study.
  • You have already completed the program for which you would like to apply for OS-HELP.

How much can I borrow?

In 2025, eligible applicants will be able to select from the following indexed amounts to borrow per six-month study period.

  • If you study in Asia*: $2500, $5000, $9893
  • If you do not study in Asia: $2000, $4000, $8245
  • Supplementary loan for approved Asian language study: $1314

The Asian language study will need to be an official language of your host location and completed in preparation for study in Asia*. It cannot be language study that is part of your main study in the host location and cannot be for academic credit to your current course.

* 'Asia' includes these countries:

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

Students may not participate in a program in a host location or region within a host location for which the Australian Government’s Smartraveller advice is ‘Do not travel’ or ‘Reconsider your need to travel’.

Mobility Sydney Global

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Last updated: 10 January 2025

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