Other Useful Information
Paying for University StudyCSP Student Contribution Ranges for 2009
Band |
Estimated student contribution range for 2009 |
National Priorities |
$0 to $4,162 |
Band 1 |
$0 to $5,201 |
Band 2 |
$0 to $7,412 |
Band 3 |
$0 to $8,677 |
Types of Students
As a local student you will be a Commonwealth supported (CSP) student. Not all universities, nor all courses at a university, will be offering fee-paying places.
Commonwealth Supported (CSP) students
As a Commonwealth supported student you must belong to one of the following categories:
As a Commonwealth supported student, the Australian Government will contribute towards your course costs; you will also pay a student contribution. As part of the enrolment process you will need to submit an eCAF (electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form) (see HELP below).
The amount of student contribution you must pay is determined by the institution you attend, and depends on your course of study. Each institution sets its own student contributions for each unit of study, so student contributions will vary between institutions and courses. These student contributions must be within a range set by the Australian Government (see table). You will need to contact the university(ies) of your choice to confirm the fees to be charged in 2010 for the courses you apply for. You must have sufficient Student Learning Entitlement to be a Commonwealth supported (CSP) student.
Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP)
If you are an Australian citizen or the holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa, you may pay your student contribution up front or you may request a Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) loan. If you pay the total of your student contribution up front you will be eligible for a 20% discount.
Repayments for all HELP loans are based on income. You do not have to start repaying your HELP debt until your income reaches a certain level ($41,595 during the 2008 - 2009 income year).
If you are a New Zealand citizen or the holder of another Australian permanent visa (not a humanitarian visa) you do not have access to HELP loans. You must pay your student contribution up front without a discount.
Commonwealth Learning Scholarships (CLS)
The Australian Government has established the Commonwealth Learning Scholarships (CLS) Program to provide financial assistance if you are from a low socio-economic background (see Scholarships).
For further information, contact the university you are interested in attending.
Student Learning Entitlement (SLE)
If you are an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen or the holder of an Australian permanent visa, you will receive a Student Learning Entitlement (SLE), giving you access to seven years equivalent full-time study as a Commonwealth supported (CSP) student.
Additional SLE is allocated in specific circumstances, for example if you are enrolled in an undergraduate course that is longer than six years.
Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN)
If you receive Commonwealth higher education assistance (as a CSP student, through a HELP loan or through a CLS - Commonwealth Learning Scholarship), you must have a Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN). This number will stay with you throughout your academic life, allowing your eligibility for Commonwealth support to be facilitated and monitored.
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) is responsible for allocating CHESSNs. If you apply through TISC, a CHESSN will automatically be allocated to you.
If you receive Commonwealth assistance, you will be advised of your CHESSN when you enrol.
Information about the student guild will be available at enrolment. Guild membership is voluntary.
Financial assistance is provided by Centrelink for students studying full-time and part-time.
Youth Allowance is available to eligible full-time students aged 16 to 24; full-time students aged 25 or over who were getting Youth Allowance before they turned 25 and are still doing the same course; and young people up to 21 who are combining part-time job search or work and part-time study. Payment is subject to income and asset tests and, in many cases, parental means tests. For further details and claim forms contact 13 24 90.
Austudy is available to eligible full-time students aged 25 years and over. Payments are subject to income and assets tests. For further details contact 13 24 90.
ABSTUDY provides financial assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who undertake approved full-time and part-time study. The ABSTUDY living Allowance is a means tested payment. Other allowances are available to assist students with expenses associated with study. For further details and claim forms contact 13 23 17.
Pensioner Education Supplement is available to students in receipt of certain Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs income support payments. For further details contact 13 24 90.
Other benefits are available to students receiving Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY. Students may also qualify for a Low Income Card and Rent Assistance may be payable in some cases. In addition, the Federal Government has recently announced that it intends to introduce Relocation Scholarships and Start-Up Scholarships, to take effect from January 2010. To find out more you can visit the Centrelink website where Youth Allowance and Austudy claims can be made online - the easy way to claim. You can also go to any Centrelink Customer Service Centre or to the Centrelink Student Service Centre at Building 106, Curtin University, Bentley. For information or help in languages other than English call 13 12 02. For the teletypewriter service for hearing and speech impaired call TM1800 810 586.
Federal Budget 2009 Please note: while still subject to the passing of legislation, note that changes are likely to the above allowances for 2010. Contact Centrelink for details.
topAll four universities offer a growing number of scholarships to assist students financially. Some scholarships are for academic excellence, others for community commitment, and others for students with educational or financial disadvantages. Some are course specific, some are campus specific, some assist with accommodation costs, some assist with fees or books. They are many and varied, and you would be well advised to investigate what may be available.
Curtin University of Technology Scholarships
The Curtin scholarships are available to all first year students studying at Curtin, regardless of age, gender and course of study. Consideration will be given to indigenous students, students from rural and regional areas and students with disabilities.
Detailed information on the scholarships, including the eligibility criteria, selection criteria and application process, is available on the Curtin website at scholarships.curtin.edu.au.
Edith Cowan University Scholarships
ECU offers a great deal of options when it comes to Scholarships. For further information on Scholarships at ECU, go to www.ecu.edu.au/scholarships or call ECU Scholarships on (08) 6304 3636.
Murdoch Scholarships
Murdoch University provides scholarship opportunities for enrolling students. They welcome applicants who meet the criteria and more detailed information can be found at www.oss.murdoch.edu.au/scholarships.
The University of Western Australia Awards and Scholarships
There are many awards and scholarships for which UWA students are eligible to apply. Check the Scholarships Office website at www.scholarships.uwa.edu.au/home/undergrad.
Advanced Standing/Credit Transfer
Universities Australia, of which the Western Australian public universities are members, along with the Commonwealth Government, are sponsoring initiatives to encourage the wider recognition of studies undertaken at other post-secondary institutions. In essence, students entering a course should not be required to repeat studies or work they have already undertaken at the same level in recent years.
For further information please refer to Universities Australia website.
Applicants with previous tertiary study may be eligible for advanced standing at the participating universities in Western Australia. You should select 'Yes' for this question in your application. Some universities will assess for advanced standing based on your application and supporting documentation, others will require you to submit documentary evidence at enrolment. Applications for credit are dealt with on a case by case basis by each university. The credit granted will be determined by the university according to the following guidelines:
Curtin University of Technology acknowledges previous studies and relevant learning if it can be demonstrated that it meets the competencies required of the Curtin unit(s), however, the University requires students to complete a sufficient number of units to warrant the conferral of a Curtin University of Technology award. Enquiries about credit for your course should be directed to the appropriate School or Department, or visit Recognition of Prior Learning on www.futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.
Edith Cowan University: You can apply for advanced standing for previous tertiary study, TAFE Diplomas, or other equivalent experience and/or qualifications. The university will approve advanced standing, subject to criteria and conditions determined by the relevant Faculty Board. In general, the final year of study for the degree must be completed at Edith Cowan University. Advanced standing will not be approved for Secondary school study or TAFE certificates. For further information regarding Advanced Standing visit http://reachyourpotential/futurestudents/advancedstanding.
Murdoch University participates in the Universities Australia National TAFE-University Credit Transfer Scheme. Applicants who have successfully completed studies at a recognised university, or Certificate IV level studies or higher from a nationally recognised registered training organisation, may be considered for advanced standing. The amount of credit awarded for this study is not necessarily dependent on any overlap between this study and the proposed study at Murdoch University. Advanced standing may be considered on the basis of uncredentialled prior learning, such as work experience, where this prior learning demonstrates competence in the objectives of a Murdoch unit or units. For more information about advanced standing and the advanced standing process, please go to Murdoch's Advanced Standing website.
The University of Western Australia deals with applications for credit on a case by case basis. The credit granted will be largely dependent on the overlap between your previous study and the courses offered at the University, although non-specific credit (which does not confer exemption from normal prerequisites) is also available. The amount and nature of the credit granted may be limited by particular faculty regulations governing the structure of degrees. In general, at a minimum, the final year of study for the degree must be completed at the University. For further information on credit availability, please contact the appropriate Faculty office.
Students With Disabilities, Medical Conditions or Learning Difficulties
Many persons have disabilities, medical conditions or learning difficulties which affect their mobility, sight, hearing, ability to communicate, manual dexterity etc. If you are unable to undertake a normal full-time workload because of severe physical disability you may still qualify for Youth Allowance/Austudy. For details contact Centrelink.
Under equal opportunity legislation, applicants cannot be discriminated against in the selection process on the grounds of their disability, medical condition or learning difficulty. Universities are keen to assist students with disabilities, medical conditions or learning difficulties, wherever possible, to complete whatever course they choose.
If you want to go to university and you have a disability, medical condition or learning difficulty, you are invited to seek advice or assistance from the appropriate person below:
Curtin University of Technology
Counsellor (Disability)
Telephone (08) 9266 7850
Fax (08) 9266 3052
Email disabilityservices@curtin.edu.au
Website http://disability.curtin.edu.au
Edith Cowan University
Equity, Diversity and Disability Officer
Telephone (08) 6304 5669
Fax (08) 6304 5886
Email studentequity@ecu.edu.au
Website www.ecu.edu.au/student/student-equity/rights.php
Murdoch University
Disability Support Officer (Helen Makeham)
Telephone: (08) 9360 6152 or (08) 9360 6084
Email: h.makeham@murdoch.edu.au.
Website http://equityaccess.murdoch.edu.au/disability
The University of Western Australia
UniAccess, Disability Officer
Telephone (08) 6488 3809 / 7864 / 1801
Fax (08) 6488 1119
Email: uniaccess@uwa.edu.au
Website www.studentservices.uwa.edu.au/ss/disability
If you would like to receive information from the universities about facilities available for students with disabilities, medical conditions or learning difficulties select the appropriate answer to this question on your web application. This service is confidential. Alternatively, check the websites of the relevant universities for further information.
Education level of Parents or Guardians
These questions are about the highest level of education completed by your parents or guardians.
The Australian Government Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations requires this information to be collected for statistical purposes. It will not be used by Tertiary Institutions Service Centre in the assessment of your application for admission.
Please answer for up to two people who, during all (or most) of your school years, were your parents or guardians. If you have more than two, answer for the two you spent the most time with.
Student Housing
Most metropolitan students live at home, particularly during their first year of tertiary study. Others, however, find they need to live away from home. Important factors in the choice of accommodation are transport costs, daily travel time, the suitability of the residence as an environment in which to study and the actual services (eg meals, laundry) provided. For assistance in finding accommodation, see the contact details below.
Curtin University of Technology
In Perth, contact the Housing Advisory Service on (08) 9266 4430 or visit website: www.housing.curtin.edu.au.
For Agricola College in Kalgoorlie, phone the Administration on (08) 9088 6600.
For Muresk Institute in Northam, phone the Housing and Conference Manager on (08) 9690 1518.
Edith Cowan University
Website: www.ecu.edu.au/fas/village
Email: housing@ecu.edu.au
Telephone within Australia: (134 ECU) 134 328
From overseas: (618) 6304 0000
Murdoch University
Apply online via www.murdochuv.com.au or contact the Murdoch University Village on telephone (08) 9360 2909 or fax (08) 9360 2977 or email info@murdochuv.com.au.
The University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia has four residential colleges and a hall of residence; St Catherine’s College, St George’s College, St Thomas More College,Trinity and Currie Hall. For more detailed information on services and facilities available and how to apply, please refer to their websites.
For off-campus accommodation, contact the Housing Office on (08) 6488 3547 or by email at housing@uwa.edu.au or access the website: www.studentservices.uwa.edu.au/ss/housing.
Child Care
Curtin University of Technology
Contact the Child Care Centre on (08) 9266 7459 or visit www.curtinchildcare.com.au.
Edith Cowan University
Telephone within Australia: 134 328
From overseas: (618) 6304 0000
Murdoch University
Contact the Director of the Child Care Centre on (08) 9360 2610 or visit http://www.murdoch.edu.au/childcare/contact.php.
The University of Western Australia
Website: www.childcare.uwa.edu.au
Long Daycare enquiries contact the Director, telephone: (08) 9389 9511, email daycare@uwa.edu.au. For information on after school care and vacation care, contact the Child Care Manager on telephone: (08) 9389 9433, or email childcare@admin.uwa.edu.au.
For information about Unicare, telephone (08) 9389 8111 or e-mail unicare@bigpond.net.au or visit the website: www.unichildcare.com.au.