Course eligibility for VET Student Loans is limited to courses that have a high national priority, meet industry needs, contribute to addressing skills shortages and lead to employment outcomes. Further information and the eligible VET Student Loans course list are available from the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.
What is VET Student Loans?
VET Student Loans is an Australian Government loan program that is available to assist eligible students enrolled in approved Vocational Education and Training (VET) Diploma level (or above) qualifications, at approved course providers, pay their tuition fees subject to a maximum loan amount. Students can only access VSL for approved courses offered by approved course providers. UOW College is an approved VET Student Loans provider. VET Student Loans is available at UOW College for the HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing course to eligible students. A VET Student Loan will not be approved for a student who does not meet eligibility requirements. A VET Student Loan gives rise to a VETSL debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid. Please refer to the UOW College or Study Assist websites for more information.
Students must have been assessed as academically suited to undertake the eligible course and their FEE-HELP balance must be greater than zero. Furthermore, a student must be:
- an Australian citizen; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and usually reside in Australia; or
- be a qualifying New Zealand citizen
What is the VET Student Loans borrowing limit?
You are only able to borrow up to the limits outlined in the VET Student Loans (Courses and Loan Caps) Determination where UOW College’s annual provider fee limit allows. Specific loan amounts will be outlined in successful applicants’ letters of offer. Over your lifetime, you will only be able to borrow up to a maximum amount. The latest VET Student Loans limit is available here.
How will VET student loans assist me in paying tuition fees?
If you are eligible for VET Student Loans assistance, and are granted access you may:
Request a VET Student Loan for the maximum available tuition fee available under the Course Loan Cap and pay any remaining tuition fee upfront to the College; or, pay some of the tuition fee upfront to the College and request a VET Student Loan for the remainder of the tuition fee.
Your VET Student Loan debt is repaid via the Australian Tax Office once your income reaches the minimum threshold for compulsory repayment. The latest threshold level is available here.
How do I apply for a VET Student Loan?
To apply for a VET Student Loan you must first have accepted your Letter of Offer and elected to access the VET Student Loan program for payment of your tuition fees.
You will then receive an email from the Federal Government which will provide you with a log in for the Government’s Request for a VET Student Loan eCAF portal. You must login to the eCAF portal and complete your registration prior to your first census date.
Further information regarding VET Student Loans is available from the Australian Government Study Assist website, or directly to the UOW College Vocational Education and Training Unit via:
Phone: 02 4252 8804
Email: uowc-sdrovocational@uow.edu.au