How to finance your postgraduate study
Find out how to reduce the cost of your tuition fees.
From student loans, CSP and scholarships to HECS. Find out the best way to fund your postgraduate degrees and check your eligibility.
Equip yourself with the right information for your situation by exploring these six ways to finance your degree.
The University offers Commonwealth supported places (CSP) in a range of our postgraduate course degrees.
A CSP means that the Australian Government subsidises your course fees and you pay the remaining amount – a student contribution. You must be a domestic student to be eligible for a CSP, i.e. an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen, or an Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder.
CSP allocation is competitive as there are limited places in each degree. You do not need to make a separate application – you will be automatically considered based on merit.
Discover which postgraduate coursework degrees have CSPs available.
HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP are loan schemes for eligible domestic students. These schemes defer paying course fees until you meet a certain salary threshold. This means you don’t pay anything upfront.
These loans do not accrue interest but are indexed according to the Consumer Price Index. The Government provides more information through Study Assist.
Postgraduate courses are exempt from the FEE-HELP 20 percent loan fee.
If you are enrolled in a postgraduate research degree, there are no course fees for domestic students, payment is covered by the Government's Research Training Program fee offset.
Applying for credit for previous study or recognition of prior learning (RPL) means you complete fewer units and therefore reduce the cost of your degree.
There are three types of credit for previous study:
The University offers $135 million in scholarships and prizes every year. We offer scholarships for a diverse range of circumstances and backgrounds. View our comprehensive list of scholarships.
As a postgraduate research student, you can apply for the Research Training Program (RTP) stipend scholarship provided by the Australian Government. Domestic and international students can apply for this scholarship which provides a living expense stipend.
If you are completing postgraduate study for professional development to enhance your skills for your current job, you may be able to claim some expenses (e.g. course fees and textbooks) in your tax return.
The course you undertake must lead to a formal qualification like a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master’s degree. There also needs to be a sufficient connection to your current employment.
Find out more about self-education expenses through the Australian Taxation Office.
Investing in your professional development not only keeps you competitive in the industry but also adds great value to your organisation. If the training you receive is directly relevant to your role, it is worth approaching your employer to see if they will financially support part or all of your degree.
It may seem daunting to ask your boss to pay for your study, the key is to do your research thoroughly and make a strong case for it.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you make your proposal.
