For friends and family of SFC members or aviation enthusiasts.
For Pilots outside Sydney wishing to utilise club facilities.
For those who want to fly with SFC.
01
From 1 January 2017, the Commonwealth VET Student Loans program replaced the VET FEE-HELP loan program. This program provides eligible students with loans to pay for their tuition fees, which are then repaid via the Australian Tax System once the minimum income threshold for payments has been received.
This Commonwealth Government program allows you to access loans for courses that:
have a high national priority
meet industry needs
contribute to addressing skills shortages
lead to employment outcomes.
02
RTO CODE: 90866
This comprehensive Double Diploma combines SFC's AVI50222 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane) and AVI50519 - Diploma of Aviation (Instrument Rating).
The Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) is the minimum requirement to earn a living as a pilot in Australia. We'll arm you with all the non-technical and technical skills required to work in the industry as a professional pilot. No previous knowledge is required! Once you have obtained your Commercial Pilot Licence, it's time to level up and excel.
Once you have obtained your Commercial Pilot Licence, it's time to level up and excel.
The Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MECIR) is a critical rating for success as a commercial pilot. This rating allows you to operate in poor visibility and cloudy conditions safely and conduct a variety of instrument approaches – these conditions are otherwise known as Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC).
Study Mode: Face-to-Face
Location: Bankstown Aerodrome (Sydney, Australia)
Total Flight Training Hours: 829 Hours
Duration: 16 Months | Full Time | 45 hours study per week
Intake for 2023: 6 FEB | 1 MAY | 7 AUG | 6 NOV
Cost: AUD $143,900
Prerequisites:
Select your preferred course intake
RTO CODE: 90866
The Multi-Engine Command Instrument Rating (MECIR) is a critical rating for success as a commercial pilot and a required qualification for any airline role. This rating allows you to operate in poor visibility and cloudy conditions safely and conduct a variety of instrument approaches – these conditions are otherwise known as Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). Our MECIR syllabus covers all IFR approach types and navigational aids enabling you to perform each procedures accurately and confidently.
With this qualification, you'll be able to take command of any situation, and confidently handle any flight, no matter the conditions.
Study Mode: Face-to-Face
Location: Bankstown Aerodrome (Sydney, Australia)
Total Flight Training Hours: 152.4 Hours
Duration: 10 Weeks | Full Time | 40 hours study per week
Intake for 2023: 14 NOV | 16 JAN | 13 MAR | 15 MAY | 17 JUL
Cost: AUD $30,900 (Includes $3,000 of extra value)
Prerequisites:
Select your preferred course intake
RTO CODE: 90866
Start your career fostering student's progression, consolidating your own knowledge and gain the skills to be a confident and effective airborne teacher. The Flight Instructor Rating is a valuable rating to all operators including charter, airlines and flight schools. The skills and airmanship developed in the FIR you will use throughout your career - even as a training and checking captain at an airline.
Study Mode: Face-to-Face
Location: Bankstown Aerodrome (Sydney, Australia)
Total Flight Training Hours: 115 Hours
Duration: 6 Months | Full Time | 25 hours study per week
Intake for 2023*: 16 JAN | 17 APR | 17 JUL | 16 OCT
*The above intake dates refer to the start of training for Certificate IV in training and assessment (TAE)
Cost: AUD $30,909* + $3,850 out of pocket for Certificate IV in training and assessment (TAE)
RTO Code: 90866
Prerequisites:
Select your preferred course intake
03
To be eligible for a VET Student Loan, you must:
To find out more information visit the Australian Government’s VET Student Loans Website.
VET Student Loans are only available to students in approved courses at the diploma level and above.
If you’re not eligible, or don't apply before your census date, you must pay your fees by the due date or your enrolment will be cancelled.
When you submit a request for a VET Student Loan to the government, you are declaring that you have read and understood the booklet and your obligations before you access the loan.
When you submit a request for a VET Student Loan to the government, you are declaring that you have read and To be eligible for a VET Student Loan, you must verify your citizenship. This is part of the SFC application process. If you haven't already done so, apply now. the booklet and your obligations before you access the loan.
The USI is your life-long individual education number. It’s a government requirement that you have a USI to enrol in a higher education program.
You must have a Tax File Number (TFN) or certificate of application for a TFN to apply for a VET Student Loan. If you don't have a TFN, apply for one now.
You need to complete the VET Student Loans Parental Consent Form and submit it to enrol@sfcaero.com.au at least 5 business days before your census date.
Follow the steps below to apply for and keep track of your VET Student Loan. You must submit your VET Student Loan application before the census day of the course you want the loan to cover.
For detailed information about how to apply, refer to the Australian Government’s VET Student Loan eCAF fact sheet.
You’ll be prompted to indicate if you intend to access a VET Student Loan when apply for a course.
Your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) outlines the VET Student Loan debt you've incurred and any upfront payments you've made towards your fees. SFC will issue you with a Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) within 28 days of each class census date. A notification email will be sent to your SFC student email account and your nominated personal email when your CAN is available. If there are any discrepancies between your VET Student Loan debt and the amount you were expecting to pay, you have 14 days from the CAN issue date to submit a written request for a correction.
The Australian Government sets a VET Student Loan Program Loan Cap for your program. This is the maximum amount of tuition you can defer to your VET Student Loan for this program, and includes any study in the same program at a different provider.
Your Program Loan Cap is displayed on your eCAF and on your invoice.
Once you reach your loan cap, you'll need to pay any remaining tuition fees by the due date. Caps are indexed annually. For more information, go to VET Student Loans Course Caps Indexed Amounts.
There's a combined limit to how much you can borrow under HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, VET-FEE-HELP and VET Student Loans. This is called your HELP loan limit.
If you’ve reached your combined HELP loan limit, you’ll need to pay your student contribution (tuition fees) before the census date to ensure your enrolment isn't cancelled.
How to check your combined HELP loan limit
Go to the myHELP balance portal to find out your current HELP limit and how much of your HELP balance you have left to borrow. For more information about the combined HELP limit, go to Study Assist.
04
From 1 January 2017, the Commonwealth Government has set a course loan cap for each course. The loan cap is the total amount the student can borrow for the course. Most students will not be affected by the course loan caps. If there is a gap between the course fee and the course loan cap, you will be advised when you enquire.
There is also a lifetime loan limit per student. This is the total amount you can incur in your lifetime under any Commonwealth HELP student loan scheme – whether it is Higher Education FEE-HELP, VET FEE-HELP or a VET Student Loan. It is indexed each year, in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In 2022, the lifetime loan limit is $109,206 for most students.
Students can check their HELP balance and loan obligations by logging into myHELPbalance. You will need your Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN) to log in. Please note, your HELP balance is renewable. Any compulsory or voluntary repayments starting from the 2019-20 income year will top up your HELP balance. These repayments will be applied to your HELP balance from 1 July 2020 onwards, after you have submitted your tax return to the ATO. Repayments can be re-borrowed in the future, up to the current HELP loan limit.
There are no age restrictions to apply for a VET Student Loan, though the intent is that your study will have a vocational outcome. That is, it will enable you to get a job or support your career progression.
Parental consent is required for students who are under 18 years old, unless you are receiving Youth Allowance (on the basis that you are independent). You must provide a copy of your Centrelink Income Statement noting your independent assessment. Otherwise, your parent or guardian must sign the Commonwealth’s Parental Consent Form and return it to the College before you can apply for a loan. Click here to access the form or collect from SFC.
Your parent or guardian will not be responsible for making loan repayments and it will not affect their credit rating. You will have to make the relevant repayments once your income reaches the minimum repayment threshold.
Log into the myHELPbalance portal to check your available HELP balance. You will need your Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN) to log in.
All students wishing to apply for a VET Student Loan must be assessed for academic suitability to under take a high level VET qualification. This is to ensure you have the skills and knowledge to succeed in your course. Academic assessment is in addition to any other entry requirements for your course, or any other additional selection criteria. To be assessed as academically suitable, you must either:
If you have completed previous studies, you could be eligible for reduced fees. You should also let us know as soon as possible, if you have experience in the area you are studying and think you may qualify for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) which means your study load is reduced and your fees may also be lower.
The Commonwealth Government selects VET Student Loan eligible courses in line with industry needs and employment outcomes and approves providers to offer those courses with a VETStudent Loan. SFC is an approved provider for VET student loans and all 3 diplomas SFC offers are eligible.
A VET Student Loan is a personal debt obligation that can affect your credit rating. It may also have wage and tax repayment implications. You should seek independent financial advice before applying for a VET Student Loan.
Centrelink benefits do not affect your eligibility or the amount of VET Student Loan assistance you can access.
New Zealand citizens who hold a Special Category Visa (SCV Subclass 444) and meet the residency criteria are eligible to apply for a loan. The residency requirements are:
You will need to provide evidence to TAFE of your eligibility before requesting a loan.
Yes, please refer to the Commonwealth Government Student Obligations Factsheet to ensure you understand your responsibilities to maintain your loan.
The Commonwealth will contact you two to three times per year (February, June or October) by email and ask you to complete a student survey to confirm that you are still studying and wish to continue to access a VET Student Loan. You must complete the survey to maintain your loan and confirm that you are a genuine student. Failure to comply with the request could result in the cancellation of your loan.
In addition, if you are not progressing through your course, SFC may also cancel your enrolment to ensure that you are not unnecessarily incurring a debt.
A VET Student Loan is an agreement between you and the Commonwealth Government. You apply for a loan through the Commonwealth’s Electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF).
If you have been accepted into your course, met all the loan eligibility and academic suitability requirements (including providing any required evidence) and wish to apply for a loan, we will advise the Commonwealth Government.
They will send you an email with a passkey to access the eCAF system. You must complete the online application before the first census day of your course, otherwise you are not eligible for a loan for that Unit of Study and will need to pay.
For more information visit the Commonwealth Government website.
Your loan application is separate to your enrolment with SFC. The Commonwealth Government requires that there is a two day cooling off period between when you first enrol with SFC and when you apply for a VET Student Loan. When you complete the eCAF process your enrolment can then be finalised.
A USI is a Unique Student Identifier. The Commonwealth Government requires all students who are studying in a nationally recognised training course to have a USI. If you already have one, please ensure you use the same USI when you enrol for any training. If you don’t have a USI, you can go to https://www.usi.gov.au/ to register before you apply to enrol. Alternatively, you can do this as part of your enrolment.
A CHESSN was allocated to all students as a primary student identifier when they first accessed aCommonwealth Loan prior to 2021. For new students (from 2021), the CHESSN has been replaced by the USI and will be the primary student identifier moving forward.
If you have future fees, you can make upfront payments directly to SFC. This will save you the 20% loan fee that is applied to any fee-for-service loans.
If all your census days have passed, you can make payments direct to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
From the 1 July 2017, any HELP debtors (students who have received a Commonwealth Government student loan) who move overseas are required to make compulsory HELP repayments. This also applies to any existing HELP debts.
The first step is to notify the ATO before you travel, or within 7 days of leaving Australia, if you intend to move overseas for 183 days (around 6 months) or more in any 12-month period. For more information on how to register with the ATO, visit the Study Assist website.
You repay your loan through the tax system when your income is above the minimum repayment threshold. Repayment thresholds are adjusted each year to reflect changes in average weekly earnings. The minimum repayment income threshold for 2021-22 is $47,014.
This means that once your income reaches the minimum threshold you will need to start repaying your loan through the Australian Tax Office. For more information regarding Commonwealth loan repayment thresholds, please visit the StudyAssist website.
Our students quite often finish earlier than anticipated. It may be because they received large amounts of credit transfer, reducing the amount of study they need to complete, or some students in flexible courses are able to apply more time to their studies and progress more quickly.
If you are going to finish early, your college will contact you to discuss moving your census days forward so that all your course fees will become due in your new, shorter study period.
05
If you choose to withdraw or defer, you may be entitled to a refund of any up-front payment you've made, or re-credit of your loan balance if you have taken a Commonwealth Student Loan.
You must withdraw or defer in writing by completing the VET Student Loans Withdrawal & Deferral Application form.
The loan amount you incur will depend on the timing of your withdrawal or deferral. There are no penalties if you withdraw or defer on or before the census day. However, once a census day has passed, the loan amount for the Unit of Study is incurred.
In some special circumstances, you may apply to have your debt reversed by completing the Application to re-credit a HELP balance form within 12 months of the census day of the Unit of Study/Part of a Course.
Students also have the right to apply for a review of a decision not to re-credit a loan balance. See the VET Student Loans Student Review Procedure.
If you wish to re-enrol in the program after withdrawing you must inform us in writing of your intention to re-enrol.
From 1 January 2017, the Commonwealth VET Student Loans program replaced the VET FEE-HELP loan program.
This Commonwealth Government program allows you to access loans for courses that:
The program also features loan caps for course loans. This means if your fees are above the loan cap, you will need to pay the difference. Most TAFE NSW students will not be affected by loan caps, but if you are, you will be advised of this during your enrolment. Please note, that loan caps are indexed annually in accordance with the VETStudent Loans Act 2016.
In accordance with the VET Student Loans Act (2016), all students wishing to apply for a Commonwealth VET Student Loan must be assessed for academic suitability to undertake a high- level VET qualification. Qualifications that are eligible for SFC to offer students a VET Student Loan can be found on the SFC VET Student Loan Approved Course List. This academic assessment is in addition to any entry requirements that may be required for the specific course you are undertaking. In high demand courses where there are more applicants than there are available places, there may also be additional selection criteria. If you are not able to meet any of these requirements, you will not be eligible to apply for a Commonwealth VET Student Loan.
Ways to assess your academic suitability
In order to apply for a VET Student Loan to cover your course fees or part of your fees, you must meet one of the criteria below and provide evidence, if applicable.
Either:
SFC must be confident that you complete this test independently and have the required skills. SFC will inform you of your results as soon as practicable after the assessment. A copy of your results will be stored for five years after you enrol and may be provided to the Commonwealth if requested.
Note* Tertiary Preparation Certificate cannot be used in place of a Higher School Certificate. Tertiary Preparation (Certificate IV) can be used as evidence for completion of a Certificate IV.
Purpose
VET Student Loan (VSL) tuition protection arrangements provide support and protections for VSL students in the event their private education provider defaults (ceases delivering their course or closes entirely).
This procedure aims to ensure that SFC will perform required actions in relation to VSL provider default or if requested to become a replacement provider for displaced students.
Scope and context
This procedure applies to VET Student Loan (VSL) students only.
Non-VSL students who made up-front payments (non-VSL and non-subsidies) can find more information on the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) website.
Procedure requirements
The following procedures are to be followed.
What constitutes a Tuition Protection default?
A default occurs when a provider either:
Student eligibility for Tuition Protection
VSL students studying with SFC are eligible for tuition protection.
If there is a suitable replacement course available, eligible VSL students will be assisted to continue their studies with a replacement provider. Where there is no suitable replacement course, eligible students will be provided with a re-credit to their HELP balance. This re- credit will be for tuition fees paid for the original course or parts of the course, which were not completed due to SFC’s default.
SFC obligations if it defaults
Within 24 Hours of default
SFC will specify in the student notice:
Within 3 business days of a default occurring
Give written notice to the VSL Tuition Protection Director specifying for each student in relation to who the provider has defaulted:
As soon as practicable
If requested by the VSL Tuition Protection Director
SFC obligations as a replacement provider
If requested by the VSL Tuition Protection Director, SFC must provide information to assist the Director to make decisions about whether a suitable replacement course exists for displaced students.
If a student accepts an offer of a place in a replacement course, SFC must give written notice of the acceptance to the VSL Tuition Protection Director within 14 days of the student’s acceptance of the offer.
SFC must also:
Definitions
VSL - VET Student Loan
Tuition Protection - Support for VSL students whose provider is unable to deliver their course or part of their course.
External Documents
VET Student Loans Manual for Providers
Tuition Protection Service - VET
The VET Student Loans program assists eligible students enrolled in approved higher level vocational education and training (VET) courses to pay their tuition fees. For more information, view the VSL booklet here.
Key dates
Payments, withdrawals and refunds for VET Student Loans enabled courses are based on advertised Units of Study/Parts of a Course and are managed according to key dates:
Start date: this is the date on which your Unit of Study begins
Census day: this is a minimum of 20% of the way through a Unit of Study/Part of a Course. If you are taking out a loan, it is the date by which your enrolment in the Unit of Study is confirmed and you incur a debt
End date: this is the date on which your Unit of Study finishes.
Withdrawing
All students who withdraw from a Unit of Study/Part of a Course or the whole course need to advise the college in writing using the VET Student Loans Withdrawal & Deferral Application form located on our website.
Withdrawing on or before the Census day
If you withdraw on or before the Census day, this means that you:
Withdrawing after the Census day
If you withdraw after the Census day has passed, this will mean that you:
Applying to re-credit a HELP Balance
If you withdraw after the census day and can demonstrate ‘special circumstances’ you will be eligible for either a refund, if you have paid up-front, or a re-credit of your HELP balance if you have taken out a VET Student Loan.
Special circumstances* are outlined below and in the VET Student Loans Information booklet, which you are required to read prior to enrolment. You will need to complete the VET Student Loan Application to Re-credit a HELP Balance form located on our website. The application must be submitted within 12 months of the census day of the Unit of Study/Part of a Course and include any independent documentation to support your claim, for example, a letter from your doctor or counsellor.
You will be notified in writing about the outcome of your application.
If your VETSL balance for a Unit of Study/Part of a Course is re-credited, any HELP debt you have incurred for that unit will also be removed including any indexation which may have been applied.
You are not eligible to apply for a re-credit if you have successfully completed the VET Unit of Study/Part of a Course.
Review and appeals
If your application for a re-credit is not successful, you can request a review of the decision. See the VET Student Loans Student Review Procedures for more information. If your review request is unsuccessful, you may lodge an appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). The approximate cost to lodge an appeal with the AAT is $884. In certain circumstances, this fee can be reduced to $100. Go to http://www.aat.gov.au/. VSL Tuition Fees and Refunds Information for Students Version 1.7_ 11 March 2022 Page 2 of 2*
Special Circumstances
Note: Pre-existing conditions – A circumstance that first occurred before the census day may satisfy the special circumstances requirement where it worsens after that day or the full effect or magnitude does not become apparent until after that day. For example, a student may have an illness or other underlying, pre-existing condition or incapacity prior to the census day for the course or the part of the course, but that condition may worsen, or that student may suffer from an aggravation, deterioration or episode, after the census day. Alternatively, the full implications of a student’s condition may not have been apparent until after the census day. This may be because recovery does not go to plan, or the degree of disability or incapacity for study are not fully realised until after the census day.
Re-credit of your HELP Balance
Your HELP balance can be re-credited under Division 2 or 3 of Part 6 of the Act;
Re-credit of your HELP Balance
Every student has the right to request a review of their re-credit application. As such, we guarantee that no student will be victimised or discriminated for: (a) seeking review or reconsideration of a decision ;or (b) using the provider's processes about dealing with grievances; or (c) making an application for re-crediting of the student's HELP balance under Division 2 or 3 of the Act.
Re-credit of your HELP Balance
Every student has the right to request a review of their re-credit application. As such, we guarantee that no student will be victimised or discriminated for:
Under the VET Student Loans Act 2016, students who withdraw from a Unit of Study/Part of a Course after census day are able to apply to have their VETSL debt re-credited under special circumstances* (see below). Students must apply by completing the VET Student Loan Application to re-credit a HELP balance form. The application must be submitted within 12 months of the census day of the Unit of Study/Part of a Course.
If you have been informed that your application to have your HELP balance re-credited is unsuccessful, you have the right to request a review of the decision. This does not apply to students who have self-paid their Unit of Study/Part of a Course as they have not taken a loan and the VET Student Loans Act 2016 does not apply.
If your VETSL balance for a Unit of Study/Part of a Course is re-credited, any HELP debt you have incurred for that unit will also be removed including any indexation which may have been applied.
If you have successfully completed a Unit of Study/Part of a Course, you are not eligible, under any circumstances, to have your HELP balance re-credited, or the VETSL debt removed for that Unit of Study/Part of a Course.
Procedures
If you are requesting a review of a decision not to re-credit a HELP balance, you need to follow theStudent Review Procedures:
The contact details and address of the nearest AAT registry are:
Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT)
Phone: 1800 228 333
Deputy Registrar Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT)
Address: Level 6, 83 Clarence Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Postal address: GPO Box 9955 Sydney NSW 200
In relation to consideration of appeals by the AAT, SFC will:
* Special Circumstances
Note: Pre-existing conditions – A circumstance that first occurred before the census day may satisfy the special circumstances requirement where it worsens after that day or the full effect or magnitude does not become apparent until after that day. For example, a student may have an illness or other underlying, pre-existing condition or incapacity prior to the census day for the course or the part of the course, but that condition may worsen, or that student may suffer from an aggravation, deterioration or episode, after the census day. Alternatively, the full implications of a student’s condition may not have been apparent until after the census day. This may be because recovery does not go to plan, or the degree of disability or incapacity for study are not fully realised until after the census day.
Version 2.0 effective 03/02/2020
Before you provide us with any personal information, Australian law requires that you read and understand our Privacy Policy, and consent to us collecting and using that information.
Personal information will not be collected unless it is for a purpose directly related to SFC training services or marketing activities, and the collection of the information is necessary for that purpose. By submitting personal information to SFC through the use of webforms, you are consenting for your information to be used for marketing purposes.
The information you provide to us may be used to identify you, create enrolment records, determine funding eligibility and sources, report training activity and validate your Unique Student identifier (USI). The information may also be disclosed to the Commonwealth and the VSL Tuition Protection Director.
SFC takes all reasonable steps to keep personal information secure at all times, and to ensure that the personal information it collects, and discloses to others, is accurate, complete, and up to date. If an individual establishes that the information held about them is not accurate, complete, up to date, relevant or misleading; once notified of this, SFC will take all reasonable steps to correct the information.
Personal information may be stored on servers owned and operated by SFC, or by approved third party servers. Employees and contractors of SFC have access to personal information on SFC servers, and also third party servers where a contractural agreement exists. Employees and contractors of approved third parties may also have access to your personal information.
SFC has implemented technology and security systems, policies and measures to protect the personal information we collect. Personal data is protected by security safeguards against loss, unauthorised access, use, modification or disclosure, and against other misuse. All personal information transmitted between servers (e.g. through submission of a webform) is encrypted before transmission.
SFC will not disclose the information it collects from an individual unless (i) the individual concerned has been made aware that information of that kind is usually passed to that person, body or agency, and (ii) the individual concerned has consented to the disclosure or (iii) the disclosure is required or authorised by or under law.
Students who are enrolled with TAFE NSW should be aware that SFC, as a third party provider to TAFE NSW, is required to send student progress reports to TAFE NSW on a regular basis.
Your file may be also be used for research and teaching, but only in a de-identified manner which precludes attribution to an individual and excludes personal details such as names, addresses, ARN's and phone numbers.
Students may apply in writing to the CEO to be given access to their own personal information held by SFC. Access will be granted within 10 business days. SFC will not disclose any personal information without first establishing the identity of the person requesting the information.
Written correspondence may be delivered by regular or electronic means.
Any complaint by an individual regarding SFC’s management or handling of personal information should be forwarded to the SFC Privacy Officer, who is the Company Secretary, at secretary@sfcaero.com.au.
Anyone may request in writing that SFC delete their data. SFC will then proceed to delete all current data which is not required to be retained by law and data contained in backup files will be progressively overwritten as new backups are made. Backup data is encrypted.
All students have the right to access their personal information and have the right to have their incorrect personal information corrected.
By ticking a checkbox titled ‘I have read and understood SFC’s Privacy Policy’ you are confirming that you have read and understood the above information and consent to your personal information begin held, used, and disclosed in the manner so described.
For a summary of the important information you need to know, read or download the VET Student Loan- Frequently asked questions Or visit the Department of Education, Skills and Employment and the Study Assist websites.
If you are considering applying for a VET Student Loan, you should familiarise yourself with your obligations by reading the VET Student Loan information booklet.
Further information is available at:
When you enrol at SFC, the collection, storage, use and disclosure of any personal information you provide are protected by legislation. Please refer to SFC’s privacy policy.
Fees for courses eligible for VET Student Loans are charged by Units of Study. Your course will have at least three Units of Study and your payments will be spread across the duration of your course. Each Unit of Study has a census day, set at no less than 20% into the Unit of Study.
You will be sent a VET Student Loan Fee Notice 14 days before each census day, indicating your fees and census days. Your debt is incurred on the day after the census day. After a census day has passed, SFC will also send you a Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) for that Unit of Study. The CAN will provide you with information about your debt, including the loan fee if applicable. If you believe your CAN is incorrect, you should contact SFC immediately.
For AVI50222 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilots License) there is a gap between the course fee and the loan cap that the Commonwealth will allow for your course. You will be advised of this when you enquire, and also about other payment options that may be available. You must apply for a loan and pay any gap fee prior to the census date in order to finalise your payment for that Unit of Study.
To be eligible, you must either:
* Holders of other permanent visas and temporary visas are NOT eligible for a VET Student Loan
You must also:
Lifetime Loan Limit
The lifetime loan limit is the total amount you can incur in your lifetime under any Commonwealth HELP student loan scheme – whether it is Higher Education FEE-HELP, VET FEE-HELP or a VET Student Loan. It is indexed each year, in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). For 2022, the HELP loan limit is $109,206 for most students. Students can view their loan obligations by logging into myHELPbalance on the Study Assist website. You will need your Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN) to log in.
Renewable HELP Balance
Your HELP balance is renewable. Any compulsory or voluntary repayments starting from the 2019-20 income year will top up your HELP balance. These repayments will be applied to your HELP balance from 1 July 2020 onwards, after you have submitted your tax return to the ATO. Repayments can be re-borrowed in the future, up to the current HELP loan limit.
What is a Unique Student Identifier (USI)?
The Commonwealth requires all students studying in a nationally recognised training course to have a USI. If you already have one, please ensure you use this same USI whenever you enrol for any training. If you don't have a USI, go to https://www.usi.gov.au/ to register before you apply to enrol, or you can apply as part of your enrolment.
What is a Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN)?
A CHESSN was allocated to all students as a primary student identifier when they first accessed a Commonwealth Loan prior to 2021. For new students (from 2021), the CHESSN has been replaced by the USI and will be the primary student identifier moving forward.
New Zealand Citizens
The residency requirements for New Zealand citizens on a Special Category Visa are:
You will need to provide evidence of your eligibility to SFC before requesting a VET Student Loan.
A VET Student Loan is an agreement between you and the Commonwealth Government.
To apply for a VET Student loan:
As with any loan you take, you must understand the terms and conditions before you make a commitment. You must read the VET Student Loan information available on Study Assist, the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website for students and consider seeking independent financial advice.
During your study, you may be contacted again by the Commonwealth to confirm your engagement and progression in your course and confirm that you wish to continue to use your VET Student Loan to pay your tuition fees for the course. It is important that you advise SFC if any of your personal or contact details change during your study. Further information regarding the VET Student Loan engagement and progression process is available on the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website. If you do not complete the engagement and progression process, you will not be able to continue access to a VET Student Loan for your tuition fees.
Under 18:
There are no age restrictions to apply for a VET Student Loan. For students who are under 18, you must complete one of the following requirements:
The VET Student Loans program allows eligible students to repay their tuition fees for any approved diplomas or advanced diplomas.
You can either:
Your loan is repaid through the Australian tax system when you reach the minimum income threshold for repayment. The minimum income threshold for repayment is set by the Commonwealth each year and is published on Study Assist (Loan Repayment) and in the VET Student Loans information booklet. There is a loan fee of 20% for full fee-paying students. There is no loan fee for eligible students in some NSW Government subsidised (Smart and Skilled) training places.
You must be aware that your loan remains a personal debt until it is repaid, and it may reduce your take-home (after tax) wage and your borrowing capacity. You may wish to seek independent financial advice before applying.
Centrelink benefits do not affect your eligibility or the loan amount you can access.
You repay your loan through the tax system when your income is above the minimum repayment threshold. Repayment thresholds are adjusted each year to reflect changes in average weekly earnings. The minimum repayment income threshold for 2021-22 is $47,014.
A VET Student Loan is a personal debt obligation that can affect your credit rating and have wage and tax repayment implications. From 1 July 2017, all existing and future debtors from any Commonwealth student loan program who move overseas must make compulsory HELP repayments. If you are living overseas and earning an income that exceeds the minimum repayment threshold, you will be required to make compulsory repayments towards your debt. Please refer to the ATO website for more information.
For more information regarding Commonwealth loan repayment thresholds, please visit the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website.
Application to re-credit a HELP Balance form
Students who withdraw after the census day may apply under special circumstances:
Special circumstances are specified under the VET Student Loans Act 2016 or the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (for students enrolled under the VET FEE-HELP loan scheme prior to 31 December 2016). Special circumstances are listed on this form. Please read these carefully to ensure you are eligible before applying.
All decisions to re-credit a HELP balance can only be made in accordance with the requirements of the Acts. Requests for re-crediting a HELP balance should be made within 12 months of the census day of the Unit of Study/Part of a Course (unless the provider is satisfied your application could not be made within the time frame because of special circumstances). Students cannot apply for a re-credit if they have successfully completed the course. Students who have not completed the course can apply for a recredit for UoS where the ‘Special Circumstances’ criteria apply.
Applications for re-crediting under section 71 of the Act must be made within 5 years after the census day for the course, or the part of the course, concerned, or within that period as extended by the secretary.
Refer to our grievance procedures for making and resolving complaints or grievances.
This document describes the SFC procedure for making and resolving complaints or grievances. The SFC grievance procedure supplements the SFC Complaint Management Policy and Procedure.
Any complaints made via the SFC complaint form under the Complaint Management Policy that relate to SFC will be referred to SFC to be dealt with in accordance with these procedures.
All current students enrolled in a SFC qualification are entitled to make a complaint or raise a grievance in relation to academic or non-academic matters.
Persons seeking to enrol in a SFC qualification are entitled to make a complaint or raise a grievance in relation to non-academic matters.
Persons making a complaint or raising a grievance are entitled to have the matter dealt with sensitively and promptly.
Students enrolling into SFC qualifications will be given information about complaint and grievance procedures during orientation.