If you are admitted to UTS as a Commonwealth supported student, you hold a Commonwealth supported place (CSP). This means that the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of your education and you pay the balance through student contributions.
Commonwealth supported places are available to domestic students in:
- all undergraduate courses, and
- a small number of postgraduate courses by coursework.
As a Commonwealth supported student you are required to pay student contributions for each unit of study.
In addition to student contributions you may also be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee
Residency requirements for CSP
To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) you must be either:
- an Australian citizen AND study at least one subject contributing to your course within Australia*
- a permanent visa holder or a New Zealand citizen AND be a resident in Australia for the duration of your subject.
Student Learning Entitlement
From 1 January 2022, the Australian government re-introduced Student Learning Entitlement (SLE). This means you can study for up to 7 years (7 EFTSL) in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). One year of full-time study is called an Equivalent Full-Time Student Load (EFTSL).
Any CSP study with a census date on or after 1 January 2022 counts towards your SLE. As you undertake CSP study at any higher education provider, your SLE balance reduces by the EFTSL value of the units you remain enrolled in after the census date.
Your SLE amount is available in myHELPbalance. You will need your USI and personal details to log in. Please check your myHELPbalance regularly to confirm you have an adequate balance for your studies.
If you exhaust your SLE, you will no longer be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). Your course will lose CSP status and become a full‑fee paying course.
For more details visit Study Assist.
What if I need more SLE?
There are two forms of SLE that you may be eligible to access after your initial 7 EFTSL: Additional SLE and Lifelong SLE. These arrangements help students complete long degrees (including honours) and undertake graduate coursework where CSPs are available.
Additional SLE
Additional SLE is available to students who are enrolled in a CSP in one of the following course types:
- Undergraduate courses where the normal course load is more than 6 EFTSL (i.e., > 6 years full‑time).
- Honours courses where the course load is ≤ 1 EFTSL.
- Postgraduate coursework courses or graduate entry bachelor degrees for which CSPs are offered.
The amount of Additional SLE depends on the normal course load and what you have already used.
Additional SLE can be used after your first 7 ordinary EFTSL is exhausted.
Lifelong SLE
Lifelong SLE supports upskilling/reskilling later in life. You will accrue 3 EFTSL (up to 3 years full‑time or part‑time equivalent) at the later of:
- 10 years from your first commencement at a higher education provider; or
- 1 January 2032.
If your course is restructured and requires more study than originally planned, a separate Lifelong SLE allocation may be available that matches the additional study required.
Lifelong SLE can be used after your initial 7 EFTSL and any Additional SLE has been used.
Note
UTS can only see your UTS enrolments. We cannot see enrolments at other providers, which may also consume your SLE. Please check myHELPbalance for your complete balance.
Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) - FAQs
What is Student Learning Entitlement (SLE)?
SLE is the maximum amount of Commonwealth‑supported study you can undertake in your lifetime. It’s measured in EFTSL. Most students have 7 EFTSL (about 7 years full‑time).
How is SLE measured?
Your Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) is measured in Equivalent Full-time Student Load (EFTSL):
- 1.0 EFTSL = 1 year of full-time study.
- Students are entitled to 7 SLE, which equals 7 years of full-time Commonwealth-supported study.
- Each CSP unit you attempt reduces your SLE by its EFTSL value.
- For example, a standard 6 credit point subject at UTS = 0.125 EFTSL.
When does my SLE reduce?
Your SLE reduces after the census date for any CSP subjects you remain enrolled in. Before census, your balance may look higher and then reduce once census passes.
How do I check my SLE balance?
Log in to myHELPbalance using your USI and personal details.
Do failed subjects or withdrawals count towards my SLE?
Yes. Failed subjects and withdrawals after census reduce your SLE. If you are later approved for a refund or remission due to special circumstances, your SLE will be re‑credited for the affected subjects.
If I’m approved for a remission, what happens to my SLE?
If your refund or remission is approved due to special circumstances, your tuition debt may be remitted and your SLE may be re‑credited for the subject(s).
Does study at other universities count towards my SLE?
Yes. All CSP study completed from 1 January 2022 at any Australian higher education provider reduces the same SLE balance.
Note: UTS cannot see your enrolments at other providers.
I don’t have much SLE left, what should I do?
If your Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) balance is low, here are some steps you can take:
- Check your current SLE balance
Log in to myHELPbalance using your USI and personal details. - Review your study plan/s
Particularly if you are considering changing courses or undertaking further study. - Withdraw from courses you do not wish to continue
At UTS or other Higher Education providers before census dates to avoid unnecessary SLE usage. - Seek advice early
To help you understand your options and any potential financial impact before future census dates
What happens if I run out of SLE?
If your Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) balance is exhausted and no changes are made to your enrolment or study plan:
- An SLE sanction may be applied, which restricts access to further Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP).
- Your course may be converted to a full-fee paying place for any study not covered by your remaining SLE.
- You will be required to pay full-fee tuition fees upfront for affected subjects.
- HECS-HELP will not be available for those subjects.
Important note:
UTS cannot see enrolments or study undertaken at other higher education providers. This means your actual SLE balance may differ if you have completed, or plan to complete, study elsewhere.
Is SLE the same as my HELP loan limit (HECS‑HELP/FEE‑HELP)?
No.
Your Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) determines how much study you can undertake in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Your HELP loan limit (for HECS‑HELP or FEE‑HELP) is separate and relates to the maximum amount you can borrow for tuition fees.
- You could still have HELP loan capacity even if you run out of SLE.
- Likewise, you could have SLE available but reach your HELP loan limit.
For more details, visit Study Assist.
I think my SLE balance is wrong, what should I do?
If you believe your SLE balance is incorrect:
- Check your myHELPbalance using your USI and personal details.
- Remember: UTS cannot see enrolments or study undertaken at other higher education providers. Your SLE may include study from other institutions.
- If you still think there’s an error, contact Ask UTS.
Why did I receive an email about my SLE balance?
You may have received an email about your SLE balance because:
- Your SLE balance is low or exhausted
This means you may not have enough Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) to complete your current or future studies in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). - You have accepted multiple offers or are admitted to more than 1 course
Our notification may consider all courses you’re admitted to at UTS and other providers, including offers you’ve accepted but are not actively studying or don’t intend to complete. This helps identify possible SLE impacts if you were to enrol or remain enrolled in those courses/subjects. - We want to help you plan ahead
The email provides important information about what this means for your enrolment and the steps you can take to avoid unexpected costs. - What should you do next?
- Check your myHELPbalance using your USI and personal details.
- Review your study plans and consider withdrawing from courses or subjects you do not intend to complete before census dates.
- Seek advice early from Ask UTS to understand your options and any financial impact.
I have recently transferred courses at UTS, why have I received an SLE email?
If you have recently transferred courses internally via the Course Transfer - Continuing process at UTS and are still admitted to your previous course, please wait until after the census date for our Study Plan Management team to withdraw you from your old course.
Once this happens, your predicted SLE balance will update, and you may no longer be flagged as being at risk of not having enough SLE to complete your current course.
CSP student contributions
The Australian Government’s Job-ready Graduates Higher Education Reform Package was passed in Parliament on 19 October 2020.
This Bill includes changes on student contribution rates, FEE-HELP loan fees, HECS- HELP up-front payment discount, Tertiary Access payments (TAP) and more.
2026 Fee contributions for commencing students
| 2026 student contribution - Area of Study | Amount for 48 cp |
|---|---|
| Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications and Society and Culture | $17,399 |
| Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science | $13,558 |
| Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual & Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science and Pathology | $9,537 |
| Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing or Foreign Languages and Agriculture | $4,738 |
2026 Student contributions for continuing students (who commenced their course of study prior to 2021)
Grandfathering arrangements will be in place for continuing students who would see an increase in their contribution amounts. Under these arrangements, students who commenced their course of study before 1 January 2021 facing an increased student contribution amount for a subject, will instead have their student contribution remain as they were under the previous arrangements (with existing rates being indexed by CPI each year).
If continuing students are enrolled in subjects that will see their student contribution amount lowered, their student contributions will be the lowered amount.
Information for students who are transferring courses
At UTS, Grandfathering is based on ‘Course of Study’, so as long as the Course of Study remains the same for both the double and the single degree, we will ensure tuition fees are grandfathered. It should be noted however that this may not always be the case.
| Area of study | Amount for 48 CP |
|---|---|
| Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce | $13,624 |
| Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science | $13,558 |
| Society and Culture, Communications, Visual and Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work | $8,164 |
| Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies or Science | $9,537 |
| Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing or Foreign Languages and Agriculture | $4,738 |
2025 Fee contributions for commencing students
| 2025 student contribution - Area of Study | Amount for 48 cp |
|---|---|
| Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications and Society and Culture | $16,992 |
| Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science | $13,241 |
| Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual & Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science and Pathology | $9,314 |
| Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing or Foreign Languages and Agriculture | $4,627 |
2025 Student contributions for continuing students (who commenced their course of study prior to 2021)
Grandfathering arrangements will be in place for continuing students who would see an increase in their contribution amounts. Under these arrangements, students who commenced their course of study before 1 January 2021 facing an increased student contribution amount for a subject, will instead have their student contribution remain as they were under the previous arrangements (with existing rates being indexed by CPI each year).
If continuing students are enrolled in subjects that will see their student contribution amount lowered, their student contributions will be the lowered amount.
Information for students who are transferring courses
At UTS, Grandfathering is based on ‘Course of Study’, so as long as the Course of Study remains the same for both the double and the single degree, we will ensure tuition fees are grandfathered. It should be noted however that this may not always be the case.
| Area of study | Amount for 48 CP |
|---|---|
| Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce | $13,305 |
| Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science | $13,241 |
| Society and Culture, Communications, Visual and Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work | $7,973 |
| Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies or Science | $9,314 |
| Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing or Foreign Languages and Agriculture | $4,627 |