Money Issues

Tuition fees

At the University of Adelaide, there are two ways to pay tuition fees: either through a Commonwealth supported place, or a fee paying place.

Commonwealth supported students are assisted by the Government, which subsidises the costs of their tuition, and the student pays the rest – either up front, or deferring their payment through HECS-HELP until they are earning a certain level of income.

With fee paying places students are responsible for the 'real cost' of their program. Like Commonwealth supported students, fee paying students can pay their fees up front each semester, or defer their payment through FEE-HELP.

The fee paying option allows students to plan for their future with a concrete goal. Fee paying places mean students can choose the degree that they really want to study without having to face the pressure of the changing cut off scores, providing them with the opportunity to fulfil their career aspirations if they just miss out on a highly competitive Commonwealth supported place.

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a package of loans provided by the Commonwealth to help students pay their tuition fees and to undertake study overseas. It includes:

• HECS-HELP – a loan to enable students in Commonwealth subsidised places pay their contribution (often referred to as 'deferring' payment).
• FEE-HELP – for students in Australian Fee-based places.
• OS-HELP – available to students in Commonwealth supported places to help them study overseas.

For further information visit Going to Uni.

Other costs

A Student Services fee is charged annually at the time students enrol or re-enrol. This fee is about $325 for a full-time student (less for part-time students).

This fee pays for the services provided on campus for all students, such as study assistance, personal guidance, access to computing facilities, subsidised food outlets, housing assistance and employment assistance.

A guide to average weekly living and study expenses