Commonwealth supported places

A Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is a place where the government pays part of your subject fees. This part payment is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don't have to pay it back.

This subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your subject fees. The remaining portion is called the 'student contribution', the payment of which YOU are responsible for.

A CSP is the subsidy paid by the government and HECS-HELP is a loan you can get to pay your student contribution amount. The student contribution amount must be paid by the census date. If you are not eligible for a HECS-HELP loan you will need to organise to pay this amount upfront.

If you have received a CSP you must submit a HECS-HELP eCAF by the census date of your first session of study even if you are paying upfront, have received a scholarship or fee waiver. See understand the eCAF process for more information. If you do not submit your HECS-HELP eCAF, Charles Sturt is required to cancel your enrolment in your CSP. See Financial cancellations and reinstatement for more information.

Check your eligibility

For more information on CSPs and HECS-HELP you can check out the Study Assist website.

To be eligible you must meet the following criteria:

  • be one of the following:
    • be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or
    • a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia
  • have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) prior to the first census date (for new enrolments from 1 January 2021)
  • have sufficient Student Learning Entitlement available (for new enrolments from 1 January 2022)
  • not undertake more than 2 years' worth of higher education study within 12 months (unless your provider has approved you to take on more)

To be eligible you must meet the following criteria:

  • be studying in a Commonwealth supported place
  • be one of the following:
    • an Australian citizen who must study at least some of your course in Australian; or
    • a New Zealand Special Category Visa (SCV) holder who meets the long term residency requirements and who studies the entire course while living in Australia; or
    • a permanent humanitarian visa holder, or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia
  • submit the Request for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELP form to your provider by the census date
  • be enrolled in each unit/subject at your provider by the census date
  • have available HELP balance
  • have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) prior to the first census date (for new enrolments from 1 January 2021)
  • have sufficient Student Learning Entitlement available (for new enrolments from 1 January 2022)
  • not undertake more than 2 years' worth of higher education study in 12 months (unless your provider has approved you or more).

Student contribution fees

View the fees for commonwealth supported places

See fees

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Full fee paying

Loans