Vet Fee-help 2012 Booklet - Update

7/31/2019 Vet Fee-help 2012 Booklet - Update

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www.deewr.gov.au/veteehelp

inormation or 2012VET FEE-HELP


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To request VET FEEHELP assistance you are required to complete theRequest for VET FEEHELP assistance orm below.

When you sign the orm, you declare that you have read this booklet and

that you are aware o your obligations under VET FEEHELP.

If you are studying with an

approved VET provider and

are requesting VET FEE-HELP,you must sign this form:

You must read this booklet before You

sign and submit the form below

You must fll out a Request for VET FEEHELP assistance orm or each

course o study or which you wish to obtain VET FEEHELP assistance.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Department o Education, Employment and Workplace

Relations has endeavoured to ensure that the inormation in this publication isconsistent with the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (the Act) and guidelines made

under the Act, available at www.comlaw.gov.au. However, there may be dierences

between this publication and the Act or guidelines - i there is any inconsistency the Act

will take precedence.


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VET FEE-HELP information 2012 i

Who is this booklet for?

ThisbookletisforpeopleenrollinginVocationalEducationandTraining(VET)

levelcoursesatthediplomalevelandabove.VETFEE-HELPprovidesloansfor

eligiblestudentsdoingVETaccrediteddiploma,advanceddiploma,graduate

certicateandgraduatediplomacourses.

IfyouneedinformationaboutloansforstudentsinCommonwealthsupported

placesorfeepayingplacesathighereducationproviders,pleaseseethe

Information for Commonwealth supported students and HECS-HELP 2012bookletor

theFEE-HELP information 2012booklet(availablefromwww.goingtouni.gov.au).

Using this booklet

Asyoureadthrough,youwillnoticethatcertaintermsarehighlightedinblue.

Thesetermsaredenedintheglossary.

Ifyouneedtoknowwhotocontactifyouhavespecicquestions,thecontacts

listattheendofthebookletwillhelpyou. Youcangetmoreinformationfromwww.deewr.gov.au/veteehelp .


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www.deewr.gov.au/vetfeehelpii

table of contents

Who is this booklet or? ........................................................................................ i

Using this booklet ................................................................................................. i

Glossary ................................................................................................................ v

1. Introduction to VET FEE-HELP .........................................................................1

1.1 WhatisVETFEE-HELP?................................................................................1

1.2 Howdoesitwork?......................................................................................1

1.3 CoursescoveredbyVETFEE-HELP...............................................................1

1.4 Whataretuitionfees?.................................................................................1

2. Eligibility or VET FEE-HELP ..............................................................................2

2.1 AmIeligible?.............................................................................................. 2

2.2 HowdoIknowifImstudyingwithanapprovedVETFEE-HELPprovider

(approvedprovider)?.................................................................................. 2

2.3 Citizenshipandresidencyrequirements...................................................... 32.4 Fullfeepayingstudentsandsubsidisedstudents........................................4

2.5 Previousstudy............................................................................................. 4

2.6 WhatistheFEE-HELPlimit?.........................................................................4

2.7 DomyassetsorincomeaffectmyeligibilityforVETFEE-HELP?.................. 5

3. Paying or my study and VET FEE-HELP ...........................................................6

3.1 HowdoIpaymytuitionfees?..................................................................... 6

3.2 Whatsthedifferencebetweenthecensusdateandtheadministrativedate?.................................................................................... 6

3.3 WhatVETFEE-HELPdoesntcover............................................................... 7

3.4 YourFEE-HELPbalance................................................................................ 7

3.5 IstherealoanfeeforVETFEE-HELPloans?..................................................7

3.6 Aremytuitionfeestaxdeductible?.............................................................8

4. How do I apply or VET FEE-HELP? .................................................................. 9

4.1 Submittingyourapplication.......................................................................9

4.2 Request or VET FEE-HELP assistanceform...................................................... 9


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VET FEE-HELP information 2012 iii

4.3 Whatyouagreetobysigningtheform......................................................94.4 DoIhavetoprovidemytaxlenumber(TFN)?.......................................10

4.5 WhatifIdonthaveataxlenumber(TFN)?...........................................10

4.6 WhenistheclosingdateforrequestingVETFEE-HELPassistance?............ 10

4.7 WhatifIchangemycourseormyapprovedprovider?............................. 11

4.8 WhatifIchangemymindaboutstudying?.............................................. 11

4.9 WhatifIchangemymindaboutwantingVETFEE-HELP?......................... 11

4.10CanIgetVETFEE-HELPformorethanonecourse?................................... 12

5. Keeping track o your VET FEE-HELP ............................................................. 13

5.1 YourCommonwealthHigherEducationStudentSupport

Number(CHESSN).................................................................................... 13

5.2 YourCommonwealthAssistanceNotice(CAN)......................................... 13

5.3 CheckyourFEE-HELPbalanceatmyUniAssist............................................. 14

6. Withdrawing rom studies .............................................................................15

6.1 HowdoIwithdrawfromaunit?............................................................... 15

6.2 WhathappensifIwithdrawbythecensusdate?...................................... 15

6.3 WhathappensifIwithdrawafterthecensusdate?................................... 16

6.4 WillchangingmystudyloadaffectmyeligibilityforYouthAllowance,

Austudy,ABSTUDYorPensionerEducationSupplement?......................... 16

6.5 WhathappensifIfailaunit?..................................................................... 16

6.6 HowcanIapplytohavemyVETFEE-HELPdebtremovedandmy

FEE-HELPbalancere-creditedunderspecialcircumstances?.................... 16

7. Repaying your HELP debt ..............................................................................187.1 WhatisaHELPdebt?................................................................................ 18

7.2 WhendoIstartrepayingmyHELPdebt?..................................................18

7.3 Howmuchwillmyrepaymentsbe?.......................................................... 18

7.4 Isinterestchargedonmydebt?................................................................ 20

7.5 Repaymentsfromjob,benetorsuperannuationincome.........................20

7.6 Repaymentsfrombusinessorinvestmentincome..................................... 21

7.7 WhatifIdisagreewithmycompulsoryrepayment?................................. 217.8 WhatifIhavedifcultiesmakingmycompulsoryrepayment?.................. 22


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www.deewr.gov.au/vetfeehelpiv

7.9 CanImakevoluntaryrepayments?........................................................... 227.10 CanIgetabonusforvoluntaryrepayments?............................................ 23

7.11 HowdoImakeavoluntaryrepayment?.................................................... 24

7.12 Aremyrepaymentstaxdeductable?......................................................... 26

7.13 WhathappenstomydebtifIdie?............................................................ 27

7.14 WhathappenstomydebtifIgobankrupt?..............................................27

7.15 WherecanIgetinformationonmyHELPaccount?.................................. 27

Contacts ...............................................................................................................28

YourapprovedVETFEE-HELPprovider.............................................................. 28

DepartmentofEducation,EmploymentandWorkplaceRelations(DEEWR)..... 28

AustralianTaxationOfce(ATO).......................................................................29

Centrelink......................................................................................................... 29

DepartmentofImmigrationandCitizenship(DIAC)......................................... 30


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VET FEE-HELP information 2012 v

glossary

Accumulated HELP debt TheconsolidatedtotalofanyVETFEE-HELP,FEE-HELP,HECS-HELPorOS-HELPdebtsyouhaveincurred(including

anyGovernmentloansforstudyincurredbefore2005).

Administrative date Adate(beorethecensusdate)setbyyourapproved

VETFEE-HELPprovider(approvedprovider)bywhichtheywantyoutosubmityourRequest or VET FEE-HELP assistance

formortowithdrawyourenrolment.

Note:youcanstillsubmityourapplicationforaloanorwithdrawfromaunitaftertheadministrativedate(butby

thecensusdate)withoutincurringaVETFEE-HELPdebtbutyoumayhavetopayalateenrolmentfeeoralate

withdrawalfee.See section 3.2.

Approved VET FEE-HELP

provider (approvedprovider)

AnorganisationthathasbeenapprovedbytheAustralian

GovernmentundertheHigher Education Support Act 2003asanapprovedVETproviderabletoofferVETFEE-HELPloans

toitsstudents.

Census date Deadlineforvariousrequirements,includingsubmitting

yourRequest or VET FEE-HELP assistanceform,makinganyup-frontpaymentofyourtuitionfeesandformally

withdrawingfromanyunits. See section 3.2.

Commonwealth

Assistance Notice (CAN)NoticefromyourapprovedproviderdetailinginformationaboutyourCommonwealthassistanceusageforeachstudy

period.See section 5.2.

Commonwealth HigherEducation Student

Support Number

(CHESSN)

Youruniqueidenticationnumberasapersonaccessinga

HELPloan(orstudyinginaCommonwealthsupportedplace).See section 5.1.

Course o study Studiesleadingtoavocationaleducationandtraining(VET)award,(forexampleadiploma,advanceddiploma,

graduatecerticateorgraduatediploma).

Eligible unit o study

(or VET FEE-HELP)

AunitthatispartofacourseofstudyleadingtoaVET

awardatthediploma,advanceddiploma,graduatecerticateorgraduatediplomalevelundertakenthrough

anapprovedprovider.

FEE-HELP AustralianGovernmentloanprogramtohelpeligible

feepayingstudentstopaytheirtuitionfees.


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FEE-HELP balance TheamountofVETFEE-HELP(and/orFEE-HELP)youhaveleftbeforereachingtheFEE-HELPlimit.See sections 3.4 and 5.3.

FEE-HELP limit ThemaximumamountofVETFEE-HELP(and/orFEE-HELP)youcanuseoveryourlifetime.See section 2.6.

Fee paying student Astudentwhopaysfulltuitionfeesfortheircourseatanapprovedprovider.

Higher Education LoanProgram (HELP)

AustralianGovernmentloanprogramwhichhelpseligiblestudentspaytheirtuitionfees(VETFEE-HELPorFEE-HELP),

studentcontributions(HECS-HELP)andoverseasstudy

expenses(OS-HELP).Theseloansarerepaidthroughthetaxsystem.

Indexation YouraccumulatedHELPdebtisadjustedon1JuneeachyeartoreectchangesintheConsumerPriceIndex. See section 7.4.

Registered training

organisation (RTO)

AtrainingorganisationthathasbeenapprovedbytheState

GovernmentortheAustralianSkillsQualityAgency(ASQA)toprovidevocationaleducationandtraining(VET)courses.

Repayment threshold TheincomelevelabovewhichyouarerequiredtomakeacompulsoryrepaymentonyouraccumulatedHELPdebt.

See section 7.2.Request for VET FEE-HELPassistance

Theformthatyoumustsubmittoyourapprovedprovider

toapplyforaVETFEE-HELPloan.

Special circumstances SpecicrequirementssetoutintheHigher Education SupportAct 2003anditsassociatedguidelinesthatyoumustmeettohaveyourVETFEE-HELPdebtremovedandyourFEE-HELP

balancere-credited.See section 6.6.

Subsidised student AstudentenrolledinacourseatanapprovedproviderwhichissubsidisedbytheStateGovernment.See section 2.4.

Tax fle number (TFN) YouruniqueidenticationnumberfromtheAustralianTaxationOfceforeverythingtaxrelated,includingmaking

VETFEE-HELPrepayments.

Tuition ees Feesthatfeepayingstudents(i.e.thosenotenrolledina

Commonwealthsupportedplace)arecharged.Thesefeesaresetbyindividualproviders.

VET FEE-HELP AnAustralianGovernmentprogramprovidingloanstohelpeligiblestudentsenrolledinhigher-levelVETcoursespay

theirtuitionfees.

VET FEE-HELP debt ThedebtyouincurifyouborrowfundsthroughtheVETFEE-HELPschemetopayyourtuitionfees.


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VET FEE-HELP information 2012 1

1. introdUction to Vet fee-helP

1.1 What is VET FEE-HELP?

VETFEE-HELPisanAustralianGovernmentloanschemethathelpseligible

studentspaytheirtuitionfeesforhigher-levelvocationaleducationandtraining

(VET)coursesundertakenatapprovedVETFEE-HELPproviders(approvedproviders).

1.2 How does it work?YoucanuseVETFEE-HELPtocoverallorpartofyourtuitionfees.Whenyoutake

outaVETFEE-HELPloan,theGovernmentpaystheloanamountdirectlytoyour

approvedprovider.

ThereisamaximumamountyoucanborrowthroughVETFEE-HELPoveryour

lifetime.ThisisknownastheFEE-HELPlimit(see section 2.6).

Youwillrepaytheloangraduallythroughthetaxsystemonceyourincomeis

abovethecompulsoryrepaymentthresholdsetbytheAustralianTaxationOfce.For201112therepaymentthresholdis$47,195.Youcanmakeavoluntary

repaymentofyourVETFEE-HELPdebtatanytime(see section 7.9).

1.3 Courses covered by VET FEE-HELP

VETFEE-HELPisavailableforcoursesatapprovedprovidersatthelevelof:

diploma;

advanceddiploma;

graduatecerticate;and

graduatediploma.

1.4 What are tuition ees?

Feepayingstudentspaytuitionfeesfortheirstudies.Tuitionfeesarenotregulated,

soapprovedprovidersdeterminetheamountoftuitionfeestheywanttocharge

fortheunitsofstudytheyoffer.Asapprovedproviderssetthetuitionfees,students

needtobeawareoftheirFEE-HELPbalance(see section 3.4)toensuretheywillhave

enoughfundingavailableintheirFEE-HELPbalancetopaythetuitionfeesrequiredfor

theircourse.


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www.deewr.gov.au/vetfeehelp2

2. Eligibility for VEt fEE-HElP

2.1 Am I eligible?

You may be eligible orVET FEE-HELP assistance i you:

are studying or a diploma, advanced diploma, graduate certifcate or graduate

diploma at an approved VET FEE-HELP provider (approved provider),

see section 2.2;

have submitted a valid Request for VET FEE-HELP assistanceorm;

are a ullee paying student or are studying in a reorm state or territory

(visit www.deewr.gov.au/vetfeehelp or more inormation on this) as either

a ull ee paying student or a subsidised student (see section 2.4);

are undertaking an eligible unit o study at an approved provider

(see section 2.2);

meet the citizenship and residency requirements (see section 2.3); and

have not exceeded yourFEE-HELP limit (see section 2.6).

To fnd out what you will need to do to apply, see section 4.1.

2.2 How do I know if Im studying with an approved

VET FEE-HELP provider (approved provider)?

An approved provider is a registered training organisation that has been approvedby the Australian Government to oer VET FEE-HELP loans to eligible students.

For a list o approved providers, see the Department o Education, Employment

and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) website at www.deewr.gov.au/vetfeehelp .


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2.3 Citizenship and residency requirementsTobeeligibleforVETFEE-HELPassistanceforaunitofstudy,youmustbe:

anAustralian citizen or

theholder o a permanent humanitarian visa;

AND

youmustberesidentinAustraliaforthe

durationofyourunit

Australian citizenship

YoumayautomaticallyacquireAustraliancitizenshipbybirthoradoptionin

Australia,oryoumayapplyforAustraliancitizenship.Ifyouare16yearsofage

andoveratthetimeyoumakeanapplicationforcitizenshipbyconferral,youwill

obtainAustraliancitizenshiponlyafteryouhavemadethepledgeofcommitment

andhavebeenissuedwithEvidenceofAustralianCitizenshipfromtheDepartment

ofImmigrationandCitizenship(DIAC).

Forinformationontheeligibilityrequirementsandapplicationprocessfor

Australiancitizenship,studentsshouldvisitDIACscitizenshipwebsiteat

www.citizenship.gov.auorphonetheCitizenship Information Line on13 18 80.

You should allow sufcient time or your application or Australian citizenship

to be considered i you are intending to become an Australian citizen beore

you enrol in a course o study.

Residency requirements

TodeterminewhetheryouareresidentinAustraliaforthedurationofyourunit,

anyperiodofresidenceoutsideAustraliawillbedisregardedif:

a) itcannotreasonablyberegardedasindicatinganintentiontoresideoutside

Australiaforthedurationoftheunit;or

b) itisrequiredforthepurposeofcompletingarequirementofthatunit.

Youwillnotmeettheresidencyrequirementsifyourapprovedproviderreasonably

expectsthatyouwillnotbeinAustraliaundertakinganyunitscontributingtothecourseofstudyinwhichyouareenrolled.


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2.4 Full ee paying students and subsidised studentsTobeeligibleforVETFEE-HELPyouneedtobeenrolledasafullfeepaying

studentorbestudyinginareformstateorterritoryaseitherafullfeepaying

studentorasubsidisedstudent.Youcancontactyourapprovedproviderfor

moreinformationonreformstatesandterritoriesorvisittheDEEWRwebsiteat

www.deewr.gov.au/veteehelp .

Full ee paying students

Afullfeepayingstudentisastudentenrolledinacourseofstudyatanapproved

providerwhichisnotsubsidisedbytheStateGovernment.

Subsidised students

Asubsidisedstudentisastudentenrolledinacourseforwhichtheapproved

providergetsStateGovernmentfunding.

SubsidisedstudentsareonlyeligibleforVETFEE-HELPiftheyareboth:

studyingforadiplomaoradvanceddiploma;and

studyingwithanapprovedproviderinareformstateorterritory.

2.5 Previous study

Previousqualicationsandstudyresultsdonotaffectyoureligibilityfor

VETFEE-HELP.

2.6 What is the FEE-HELP limit?

TheFEE-HELPlimitisthemaximumamountyoucanborrowthrough

VETFEE-HELP(orFEE-HELP)overyourlifetime.

AnyamountborrowedundereitherschemewillreduceyourFEE-HELPbalance

untilyourFEE-HELPlimitisreached.OnceyouhavereachedtheFEE-HELPlimit

(theindexedamountfortherelevantyear)youwillnotbeabletoreceivefurther

VETFEE-HELP(orFEE-HELP)topaytuitionfeesevenifyouhavepartiallyorfully

repaidyourFEE-HELPloan.


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TheFEEHELPlimitin2012is$112,134formedicine,dentistryandveterinary

sciencestudents(asdenedintheHigher Education Support Act 2003)and

$89,706forallotherstudents.

This limit is indexed on 1 January each year and excludes any loan ee.

2.7 Do my assets or income aect my eligibility or

VET FEE-HELP?

No.Yourassetsorincome,orthoseofyourpartnerorfamily,donotaffectyour

eligibilityforVETFEE-HELP.However,yourincomewilldeterminewhenyoumake

acompulsoryrepaymentonyourdebt(see section 7).


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3. Paying for my stUdy and Vet fee-helP

3.1 How do I pay my tuition ees?

YourapprovedVETFEE-HELPprovider(approvedprovider)setsthetuitionfeeand

paymentdeadline(i.e.thecensusdateoradministrativedatesee section 3.2)

foreachunit.Thefeesarepublishedonyourapprovedproviderswebsite.

IfyouareeligibleforVETFEE-HELP,youhavethreepaymentoptions:

paythefulltuitionfeeup-fronttoyourapprovedprovider,sothatyoudo

notuseaVETFEE-HELPloan;

paysomeofthetuitionfeeup-fronttoyourapprovedproviderandrequest

aVETFEE-HELPloanfortheremainder;or

requestaVETFEE-HELPloanforthefulltuitionfee.

Notethatyoudonthavetochoosethesameoptionforallyourunits.

AslongasyouhavesuccessfullysubmittedaRequest or VET FEE-HELP

assistanceformtocoveryourcourse(see section 4),youwillautomaticallyreceiveaVETFEE-HELPloanforwhateveramountofyourtuitionfeesyouhavenot

paidup-frontbythecensusdate.IfyouuseaVETFEE-HELPloan,theAustralian

Governmentpaysyouroutstandingtuitionfeesdirectlytoyourapprovedprovider

onyourbehalf.

3.2 Whats the dierence between the census date and the

administrative date?

ThecensusdateisthelastdaytosubmityourRequest or VET FEE-HELPassistanceformortowithdrawyourenrolmentwithoutincurringatuitionfee

oraVETFEE-HELPdebtforthatunit.Theapprovedprovidersetsthisdate,soit

variesacrossthedifferentapprovedprovidersandcourses.

Someapprovedprovidersalsosetanadministrativedate(beforethecensusdate)by

whichtheywantyoutosubmityourformorwithdrawyourenrolment.Ifyoumiss

thisdateyoumayhavetopayalateenrolmentfeeoralatewithdrawalfee,butyou

canstill(bythecensusdate)submityourapplicationforaloanorwithdrawfroma

unitwithoutincurringthenancialcostanddebtassociatedwiththeunit.Checkwithyourapprovedprovidertoseewhenthecensusdateisandiftheyhave

anadministrativedateaswell.


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3.3 What VET FEE-HELP doesnt coverVETFEE-HELPisfortuitionfeesonly.Itdoesnotcoveraccommodation,general

livingexpensesorfeesforanythingotherthantuition.

However,youmaybeabletogetincomesupportthroughYouthAllowance,

Austudy,ABSTUDYorPensionerEducationSupplement(see Contacts).

3.4 Your FEE-HELP balance

YourFEE-HELPbalanceistheamountofVETFEE-HELP(orFEE-HELP)youcanstillborrowbeforeyoureachtheFEE-HELPlimit.

YouareresponsibleforkeepingtrackofyourFEE-HELPbalanceandlettingyour

approvedproviderknowifyoudonothaveenoughlefttocoveryourtuitionfees.

ForinformationonhowtokeeptrackofyourFEE-HELPbalance,see section 5.

IfyouenrolinaunitandthetuitionfeeexceedsyourFEE-HELPbalance,you

willhavetopaytheremainderup-fronttoyourapprovedprovider.Otherwise

yourapprovedprovidermayhavetocancelyourenrolmentifyouhavefeesthat

areunpaid.

VET FEE-HELP loan + FEE-HELP loan = FEE-HELP debt incurred

FEE-HELP limit FEE-HELP debt incurred = FEE-HELP balance

3.5 Is there a loan ee or VET FEE-HELP loans?

ThereisnoapplicationfeeforaVETFEE-HELPloan.

However,ifyouareafullfeepayingstudentyouwillbechargedaloanfeeof20%.ThisisincludedinyourVETFEE-HELPdebtbutdoesnotcounttowardsyour

FEE-HELPbalance.TheloanfeedoesnotcounttowardsyourFEE-HELPlimit.

TheloanfeeiscalculatedagainsttheamountofVETFEE-HELPassistancethatyou

receivefortheunit.Forexample,ifyoutakeoutaVETFEE-HELPloanof$500for

yourunitofstudy,yourloanfeewillbe$100(500x0.20)andyourVETFEE-HELP

debtwillbe$600.However,astheloanfeeisnotincludedinyourFEE-HELPlimit,

yourFEE-HELPbalancewillonlydecreaseby$500.

TheamountofyourloanfeewillbeshownonyourCommonwealthAssistance

Notice(see section 5.2).


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Students who will not incur a VET FEE-HELP loan eeIfyouareenrolledasasubsidisedstudent(see section 2.4)inareformstate

orterritory(contactyourapprovedproviderorvisittheDEEWRwebsiteat

www.deewr.gov.au/veteehelp formoreinformationonthis)youwillnotbe

chargedaloanfee.

ThereisnointerestchargedonyourVETFEE-HELPdebt.However,yourdebtis

indexedannuallybytheAustralianTaxationOfcetomaintainitsrealvalue.

3.6 Are my tuition ees tax deductible?

Youmaybeabletoclaimyourtuitionfeesasataxdeductionregardlessof

whetheryouusedaVETFEE-HELPloantopaythem,orpaidup-front.Tuitionfees

maybetaxdeductibleiftherewasadirectconnectionbetweenyourstudiesand

yourworkactivitiesatthetimeyoupaidforyourcourse.

Formoreinformation,checkwiththeAustralianTaxationOfce

(see Contacts).

Theloanfeeandanyrepaymentsyoumakearenottaxdeductible.

See section 7formoreinformationonrepayingyourVETFEE-HELPdebt.


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4. hoW do i aPPly for Vet fee-helP?

4.1 Submitting your application

Foryourapplicationtobesuccessful,youmust:

beenrolledintheeligibleunitofstudybythecensusdatefortheunit

(see section 3.2);

meetthetaxlenumberrequirements(see section 4.4);and

havesubmittedaRequest or VET FEE-HELP assistanceformbythecensusdate

foryourunitofstudy(see sections 3.2 and 4.2).

4.2 Request for VET FEE-HELP assistanceorm

TheRequest or VET FEE-HELP assistanceformisonlyavailablefromanapproved

VETFEE-HELPprovider(approvedprovider).

Thecensusdateisthelastdayyoucansubmitthecompletedform.However,bear

inmindthatyourapprovedprovidermayrequireyoutosubmityourformbytheadministrativedate(see section 3.2).Checkwithyourapprovedprovidertomake

surethatyousubmityourformbythecorrectdate.

Ifyoumissthecensusdateforsubmittingyourform,youwontbeabletoaccess

VETFEE-HELPforthatstudyperiod.

Someapprovedprovidersallowstudentstocompletetheirformonline.

Contactyourapprovedprovidertoseeifthisappliestoyou.Youcantsubmit

aphotocopiedorfaxedform.Ifyouneedhelpwithunderstanding,completing

orsubmittingtheform,contactyourapprovedprovider.

4.3 What you agree to by signing the orm

Whenyousignyourform,youareagreeingthat:

youhavereadthisbooklet,andtheform,andareawareofyourobligations

ifyouaccessaVETFEE-HELPloan;


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youwanttheAustralianGovernmenttolendyouwhateveramountofyourtuitionfeesyouhaventpaidbythecensusdatefortheunitsofstudycovered

bytheform,andtopaythistoyourapprovedprovideronyourbehalf;and

youwillbeginrepayingtheloan,includingtheloanfeeifapplicable,through

thetaxsystemwhenyourincomeinanancialyearisabovethethresholdfor

compulsoryrepayment(see section 7.2).

4.4 Do I have to provide my tax fle number (TFN)?

YouneedtoprovideyourTFNonyourformorattachaCertifcate o applicationor a tax fle numbertoyourformifyouwanttouseaVETFEE-HELPloan.

4.5 What i I dont have a tax fle number (TFN)?

IfyoudontalreadyhaveaTFN,youwillneedtocompleteaTax fle number

application or enquiry or an individualform,availablefromtheAustralianTaxation

Ofce(ATO).ForinformationonhowtoapplyforaTFN,orifyoucannotndyour

TFN,contacttheATO(see Contacts).

ATFNisusuallysuppliedwithin28 daysofsubmittingtheTax fle number

application or enquiry or an individualform.YoushouldapplyforyourTFNasearly

aspossibletomakesureitarrivesbeforethecensusdate(orearlieradministrative

date)whenyouneedtosubmityourform.

IfyouhaveappliedforaTFNbuthavenotreceiveditwithin10 daysbeforethis

deadline,youshouldrequestaCertifcate o application or a tax fle numberfrom

theATOandgiveittoyourapprovedproviderasproofthatyouhaveapplied.

YoucangetthiscerticatebyvisitinganATOshopfrontorbycontactingtheATO

(see Contacts).

Youhave21 daysfromthedaytheATOissuesyouaTFNtogiveittoyour

approvedprovider.

4.6 When is the closing date or requesting VET FEE-HELP

assistance?

Youneedtosubmitthecompletedformtoyourapprovedproviderbythecensus

datefortheunitsyouarerequestingVETFEE-HELPfor.Ifyourunitshavedifferentcensusdates,youneedtosubmityourformbytheearliestcensusdate.Check

withyourapprovedproviderifyoudontknowthecensusdatesforyourcourse.


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Ifyoumissthecensusdateforsubmittingyourform,youwontbeabletogetaVETFEE-HELPloanforthatstudyperiod.

4.7 What i I change my course or my approved provider?

Ifyouchangeyourcourseorapprovedprovideryouwillneedtosubmitanew

formforeachcoursethatyouwantVETFEE-HELPfor.

Youalsoneedtoofciallywithdrawfromanyunitsyouhaveenrolledinanddonot

wanttocontinuewithsothatyoudonotincuraVETFEE-HELPdebtaswithdrawal

willnotautomaticallyhappenwhenyoutransfertoanothercourseorapproved

provider.Contactyourapprovedproviderforinformationonhowtowithdraw

yourenrolmentcorrectly(see section 6).

Ifyouwithdrawafteryouroriginalapprovedproviderscensusdate,orifyoudo

notwithdrawcorrectly,youwillincuraVETFEE-HELPdebtforthatstudyperiod

andyouwillloseanyup-frontpaymentsofyourtuitionfeesforthoseunitsof

studyaswell.

4.8 What i I change my mind about studying?

Ifyouchangeyourmindaboutstudyingyouhaveuntilthecensusdateto

withdrawfromtheunitsyouareenrolledinwithoutincurringaVETFEE-HELP

debtforyourunpaidfees.

Youcaneithercancelyourform(see section 4.9)orwithdrawyourenrolment

ineachunitofstudy(see section 6).

Besuretofollowyourapprovedproviderswithdrawalprocesstomakesurethat

youwithdrawcorrectlybeforethecensusdate.Ifyouneedhelpwiththisprocess,

contactthestudentadministrationareaatyourapprovedprovider.

4.9 What i I change my mind about wanting VET FEE-HELP?

IfyouchangeyourmindaboutwantingaVETFEE-HELPloanforastudyperiod,you

dontnecessarilyneedtocancelyourform.Allyouneedtodoispayyourfulltuition

feesup-frontbythecensusdatefortherelevantstudyperiodsothatyouwillhave

nooutstandingamountlefttobepaidwithaVETFEE-HELPloan.Ifyoucorrectlycancelorwithdrawyourenrolmentbeforethecensusdate,youshouldnotincur

aVETFEE-HELPdebtforthatstudyperiod(see section 6).


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YouwillonlyincuraVETFEE-HELPdebtifafterthecensusdateyou: arestillenrolledinunitscoveredbyyourform;and

haventpaidyourfulltuitionfeesfortheseunitsup-front.

Ifyouhavenotpaidyourtuitionfeesforaunitofstudyandyouwanttomake

surethatyoudonotincuraVETFEE-HELPdebtforthatunit,youneedtocancel

anyformthatcoverstheunitbythecensusdateforthatunit.Contactthestudent

administrationareaatyourapprovedproviderformoreinformation.

4.10 Can I get VET FEE-HELP or more than one course?

YoucangetVETFEE-HELPformorethanonecourseaslongasyouhaveenough

FEE-HELPbalancetocoverit(see section 5.3).

Youwillneedtosubmitaseparateformforeachcourse,eveniftheyarewiththe

sameapprovedprovider.

YouareresponsibleformakingsureyouhaveenoughFEE-HELPbalancetocover

yourtuitionfees.Ifyoudonthaveenough,youneedtoletyourapproved

providerknowandmakealternativepaymentarrangements.

Ifyouarestudyingwithmorethanoneapprovedproviderandarenearingyour

FEE-HELPlimit(see section 2.6),youneedtonotifyeachapprovedproviderofthe

amountofFEE-HELPbalanceyouhaveleftandhowyouwillpayforyourtuition

feesateachapprovedprovider.

Otherwise,yourapprovedprovidermaycancelyourenrolmentifsomeofyour

tuitionfeesareunpaid.


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5. keePing track of yoUr Vet fee-helP

5.1 Your Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support

Number (CHESSN)

Yourtertiar yadmissionscentreorapprovedVETFEE-HELPprovider(approved

provider)willallocateyouaCHESSNaspartoftheadmissionsapplicationprocess.

TheCHESSNisauniqueidentierthatremainswithyouthroughoutyourstudies

andafterwards.Ithelpsyou,approvedprovidersandtheAustralianGovernmentkeepuptodatewithinformationaboutanyCommonwealthassistancethatyou

mayhaveused.

YoucanuseyourCHESSN(andotherpersonalidentifyingdetails)tologintothe

myUniAssistdatabaseatwww.goingtouni.gov.au,whichprovidesinformation

abouthowmuchCommonwealthassistanceyouhaveused.Forexample,ifyou

areusingaVETFEE-HELPloantopayforyourstudies,myUniAssistwillrecordhow

muchVETFEE-HELPyouhaveusedforeachstudyperiod.

YouwillbenotiedofyourCHESSNinyourCommonwealthAssistanceNotice.

IfyouhaveanyquestionsorneedanyhelpwithyourCHESSN,pleasecontactyour

approvedprovider.

5.2 Your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN)

Afterthecensusdateofeachstudyperiod,yourapprovedproviderwillsendyou

aCAN.Thisnoticemustbeissuedtoyouwithin28 daysofthecensusdateandit

willdetailinformationon:

theamountofVETFEE-HELPdebtyouhaveincurredforeachunityouare

enrolledinduringthatstudyperiod;and

anyVETFEE-HELPloanfeeyoumayhaveincurred.


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Is your CAN correct?YoushouldcheckthedetailsonyourCANcarefullytoensuretheyarecorrect.

Inparticular,makesure:

thetuitionfeesontheCANarethesameaswhatyouwereexpectingtopay

(youcancheckthisamountagainstaninvoiceortheinformationpublished

onyourapprovedproviderswebsite);andthat

theCANdoesntincludeanyunitsyoucorrectlywithdrewfrombythecensus

date(see section 3.2).

IfyouthinkthereareincorrectdetailsonyourCAN,youhave14 days(someapprovedprovidersmayallowmoretime)fromthedateoftheCANtosubmit

awrittenrequestforcorrection.

5.3 Check your FEE-HELP balance at myUniAssist

YoushouldkeepallCANsthataresenttoyousothatyouhavearecordofthetotal

amountoftuitionfeesthathavebeenpaidonyourbehalfusingVETFEE-HELP(and

FEE-HELP).ThiswillassistyoutokeeptrackofyourFEE-HELPbalancetoensureyou

haveenoughtopayyourtuitionfees.

YoucancheckyourFEE-HELPbalanceonmyUniAssistatwww.goingtouni.gov.au.

YouwillneedyourCHESSNtologin(see section 5.1).

Note: How to use the inormation on myUniAssist

ItisimportantthatstudentsunderstandthatDEEWRmustvalidatethedatasubmittedby

approvedproviderstoensureitiscorrectbeforeDEEWRcanuploadthatinformationfor

studentsonmyUniAssistandreportthatdatatotheAustralianTaxationOfce.

Giventhetimelag,youmayneedtoaddanyunitsyouhaverecentlyenrolledin/are

currentlyenrolledin(refertoyourCANfortherelevantstudyperiod)totheinformation

shownonmyUniAssisttodetermineyourentitlements.


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6. WithdraWing from stUdies

6.1 How do I withdraw rom a unit?

TowithdrawfromaunitwithoutusingupyourremainingFEE-HELPbalance,

incurringaVETFEE-HELPdebtfortheunitorlosinganup-fronttuitionfee

payment,youneedtocompleteyourapprovedVETFEE-HELPproviders(approved

providers)formalwithdrawalproceduresbythecensusdate(see section 3.2).

Youneedtocompletetheformalwithdrawalprocessforeveryunityouwanttowithdrawfrom,includinganyunitsinfuturestudyperiods.Ifthecourseyouare

withdrawingfrominvolvedenrollingwithmorethanoneapprovedprovider,you

needtoformallywithdrawfromcourseswitheachapprovedprovider.

Thecensusdateisnotthesamethingastheacademicwithdrawaldatethe

datesetbyyourapprovedproviderforwithdrawingfromaunitwithouthaving

afailgraderecordedonyouracademictranscript.

Themainpointsare:

yourformalwithdrawalneedstobeinwritingontheformrequiredbyyour

approvedprovider;

youneedtosubmitthisformintimeforittobedeliveredandprocessedby

thecensusdate;

youmayneedtowithdrawonlinecheckwithyourapprovedproviders

studentadministrationarea;and

keepacopyofyourwithdrawaldocumentationasconrmationthatyou

completedyourapprovedprovidersformalwithdrawalproceduresbythecensusdate.

Formoredetailsorifyouneedanyhelpwiththeprocess,contactyour

approvedprovider.

6.2 What happens i I withdraw by the census date?

Ifyouformallywithdrawfromaunitbythecensusdate,yourFEE-HELPbalance

willnotbereducedandyouwillnotincuraVETFEE-HELPdebtforthatunit.


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6.3 What happens i I withdraw ater the census date?Ifyouwithdrawfromaunitafterthecensusdate,yourFEE-HELPbalancewillbe

reducedandyouwillincuraVETFEE-HELPdebt.

Youcannottransferordeferthisdebttoanotherunitofstudy.

Ifyouwithdrawfromaunitafterthecensusdatebecauseyoubecomeseriouslyill

orbecauseofotherspecialcircumstances(see section 6.6)youcanapplytoyour

approvedprovidertohaveyourFEE-HELPbalanceforaunitre-creditedandany

VETFEE-HELPdebtfortheunitremoved.

6.4 Will changing my study load aect my eligibility or Youth

Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY or Pensioner Education

Supplement?

Itmay.YouneedtonotifyCentrelinkwithin14 daysafteryouchangeyour

studyload.Theywillthenassesswhetheryouremaineligibleforincomesupport.

Formoreinformation,contactCentrelink(see Contacts).

6.5 What happens i I ail a unit?

Ifyoufailaunit,youwillstillhavetopaythedebtforthatunit,regardlessof

whetheryouattendedanyclassesorwillrepeattheunit.Studentswhofailaunit

willberequiredtopayforthatunitasecondtimeiftheyundertakeitagain.

Incertainspecialcircumstances(see section 6.6)youcanapplytoyour

approvedprovidertohaveyourFEE-HELPbalanceforaunitre-creditedand

anyVETFEE-HELPdebtfortheunitremoved.

6.6 How can I apply to have my VET FEE-HELP debt removed

and my FEE-HELP balance re-credited under special

circumstances?

Ifyoufailaunit,underthespecialcircumstancesprovisions,youcanapplytoyour

approvedprovidertohaveyourVETFEE-HELPdebtremovedandyourFEE-HELP

balancere-credited.


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Yourapprovedproviderwillre-credityourFEE-HELPbalanceifitissatisedthatspecialcircumstancesappliedtoyouthatwere:

beyondyourcontrol;and

didnotmaketheirfullimpactonyouuntilonorafterthecensusdate;and

weresuchthattheymadeitimpracticableforyoutocompleteyourunit(s)ofstudyrequirements.

Yourapprovedproviderwilldecidewhethertore-credityourFEE-HELPbalanceinaccordancewiththerequirementsoftheHigher Education Support Act 2003

anditsassociatedguidelines.Youwillneedtoprovideindependentsupportingdocumentationtosupportyourclaimthatspecialcircumstancesoccurred.

Ifyouhavesuccessfullycompletedaunitofstudy,youcannotapplytohaveyourFEE-HELPbalancere-creditedandyourVETFEE-HELPdebtremoved.

How to apply

Youneedtoapplytoyourapprovedprovider.Yourapplicationmustindicatetheunit(s)ofstudyforwhichyouareseekingtohaveyourFEE-HELPbalance

re-credited(andyourVETFEE-HELPdebtremoved).Itmustalsodetailthespecialcircumstancesthatyoubelievemadeitimpracticableforyoutocompletethoseunits.Youshouldcontactyourapprovedprovidertondouthowtosubmitan

applicationunderthesecircumstances.

Time limit or applying

Yourapplicationmustreachyourapprovedproviderwithin12 monthsofyourwithdrawalday.

Thewithdrawaldayisthedayyourapprovedproviderspeciesinitsnoticetoyouasthedaythewithdrawaltakeseffect.Ifyouhavenotwithdrawn,yourwithdrawaldayisthelastdayoftheperiodinwhichyouweretoundertaketheunit.

Yourapprovedprovidermayextendthetimelimitifitissatisedthatitwasnot

possibleforyoutoapplywithinthe12months.

Can I appeal the decision?

Ifyouareunhappywithyourapprovedprovidersdecision,youmustapplytotheminwritingwithin28 days(ortheperiodallowedbyyourapprovedprovider)

forareviewoftheirdecision.Ifyouareunhappywiththerevieweddecision,youhave28 daystoapplytotheAdministrativeAppealsTribunal(AAT)foran

independentreview.Formoreinformation,visitwww.aat.gov.au.


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7. rePaying yoUr helP debt

7.1 What is a HELP debt?

YourHELPdebtismadeupofanyHECS-HELP,FEE-HELP,VETFEE-HELPorOS-HELPdebtsyouhaveincurred.Allofyourdebtsareaddedtogetherandarereferredto

asyouraccumulatedHELPdebt.

7.2 When do I start repaying my HELP debt?YouwillstartrepayingyouraccumulatedHELPdebtwhenyourrepaymentincomeisabovetheminimumcompulsory repayment threshold.Thisthresholdisadjustedeachincomeyear.Forthe201112incomeyearthethresholdis$47,195.

RepaymentsareforyouraccumulatedHELPdebt,notforeachindividualloanyoumayhaveused.

Evenifyouarestillstudying,ifyourrepaymentincomeisovertheminimumthresholdyouwillstartrepayingyourHELPdebt.

TheAustralianTaxOfce(ATO)worksoutyourrepaymentincomefromtheamountsgivenonyourincometaxreturnfor:

yourtaxableincome;

reportablefringebenets(reported on your payment summary);

totalnetinvestmentloss(whichincludesnetrentallosses);

reportablesupercontributions;and

exemptforeignemploymentincomeamounts.

Formoreinformationonthis,contacttheATO(see Contacts).

YoucanalsomakevoluntaryrepaymentsofyourHELPdebt(see section 7.9).

7.3 How much will my repayments be?

Theamountyourepayeachyearisapercentageofyourrepaymentincome.Thepercentageincreasesasyourincomeincreases.TheATOwillcalculateyourcompulsoryrepaymentfortheyearandincludeitonyourincometaxnotice

ofassessment.

Therepaymentthresholdsareadjustedeachyeartoreectanychangeinaverage

weeklyearnings.


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Table 1: 201112 repayment rates

Repayment incomeRepayment rate

(% o repayment income)

Below$47,196 Nil

$47,196$52,572 4.0%

$52,573-$57,947 4.5%

$57,948-$60,993 5.0%

$60,994-$65,563 5.5%

$65,564-$71,006 6.0%

$71,007-$74,743 6.5%

$74,744-$82,253 7.0%

$82,254-$87,649 7.5%

$87,650andabove 8.0%

Compulsoryrepaymentscontinueuntilyouhaverepaidyourwholedebt.

Yourcompulsoryrepaymentincreasesasyourrepaymentincomeincreases.Themoreyouearn,thehigheryourrepayment.Yourcompulsoryrepayment

isbasedonyourincomealone,nottheincomeofyourparentsorspouse.

CompulsoryrepaymentscontinueuntilyouhaverepaidyourHELPdebt.

YoumuststartrepayingyourHELPdebtwhenyourrepaymentincomeisabove

theminimumrepaymentthreshold,evenifyouarestillstudying.

Example

Heathstaxableincomeforthe201112incomeyearis$47,820.Inhisincometax

return,heclaimsatotalnetinvestmentlossof$2,250andhasatotalreportable

fringebenetsamountof$3,890,areportablesupercontributionamountof

$1,500andanexemptforeignemploymentincomeamountof$2,580.

Heathsrepaymentincomeis:

$47,820+$2,250+$3,890+$1,500+$2,580=$58,040.

Heathscompulsoryrepaymentfor2011-12is:$58,040x5.0%=$2,902.

IfthecalculatedrepaymentismorethanthebalanceofyouraccumulatedHELPdebt,youonlypaythebalance.


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7.4 Is interest charged on my debt?Youarenotchargedinterestonyourdebt.However,youraccumulatedHELPdebt

isadjusted(indexed)on1 JuneeachyeartoreectchangesintheConsumerPrice

Index(CPI).Indexationmaintainstherealvalueofthedebtbyadjustingitinline

withchangesinthecostoflivingasmeasuredbytheCPI.Theindexationgureis

calculatedeachyearaftertheMarchCPIisreleased.Youcanndoutcurrentand

pastindexationratesfromtheATOwebsite.

HELPdebtsarenotindexeduntiltheyaremorethan11monthsold.

AnydebtyouincurbetweenJanuary2012andJune2012willbeindexedon

1June2013andtheindexedamountwillbecomepartofyouraccumulated

HELPdebt.

AnydebtyouincurbetweenJuly2012andDecember2012willbeindexedon

1June2014andwillalsobecomepartofyouraccumulatedHELPdebt.

7.5 Repayments rom job, beneft or superannuation incomeIfyouearnincomefromajob,benetorcompensationpayments,or

superannuation,youremployerorotherpayermaywithholdamountsfromyour

paytocoveryourcompulsoryHELPrepayment.

YouneedtoadviseyourpayerifyouhaveanaccumulatedHELPdebtonaTax fle

number (TFN) declaration or Withholding declarationform.IfyoudohaveaHELP

debt,yourpayerhastowithholdadditionalamountsfromyourpayonceyou

earnovertheminimumrepaymentthreshold.

TheadditionalamountswithheldaretocoveranycompulsoryHELPrepayment

youmayhavetomakefortheyear.TheyarenotcreditedtoyourHELPaccount,

butformpartofthetotaltaxwithheldshownonyourannualPAYG payment

summaryandonyourincometaxnoticeofassessmentatPAYGcreditsandother

entitlements.Yourcompulsoryrepaymentwillnotbecalculateduntilyourincome

taxreturnforthatyearisprocessed.Ifyouhadtoomuchwithheldduringtheyear

andyouhavenootheroutstandingdebts,theATOwillrefundtheexcesstoyou.

Payments rom more than one payer

Ifyouearnmorethantherepaymentthresholdforanincomeyearfromallyour

jobs,acompulsoryrepaymentmaybeincludedonyournextnoticeofassessment.


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Youcanaskoneormoreofyourpayerstowithholdadditionalamountstocoveranycompulsoryrepayment.Todothis,completeaWithholding declaration

upwards variationform(availablefromtheATO).

Holiday or temporary jobs

Ifyouhaveaholidayortemporaryjobandyouearnovertheweeklyminimum

repaymentthresholdbutyourrepaymentincomeforthewholeincomeyearisnot

abovetheannualminimumrepaymentthreshold,youcanapplytotheATOtoget

yourpayertostopwithholdingadditionalamountsforyourHELPdebt.Youwill

needtosubmitaPAYG withholding variation application 2012form(availablefromtheATO).Youcanlodgeyourapplicationelectronicallyatwww.ato.gov.au.

No compulsory repayment required because o low amily income

IfyourfamilyincomeislowenoughtoentitleyoutoareductionoftheMedicare

levyoryoudonothavetopaytheMedicarelevy,youwillnothavetomakea

compulsoryHELPrepaymentforthatyear.YoucansubmitaMedicare levy variation

declarationform(availablefromtheATO)toyourpayerandtheywill

stopwithholdingadditionalamountsforthatyear.

7.6 Repayments rom business or investment income

IfyouusethePAYGinstalmentssystemtomakepaymentstowardsyourexpected

taxliabilityonyourbusinessandinvestmentincomeforthecurrentincomeyear,

theATOwillnotifyyouofaninstalmentamountandratethattakesintoaccount

anyaccumulatedHELPdebt.

7.7 What i I disagree with my compulsory repayment?

Youshouldcheckallthedetailsonyourincometaxnoticeofassessmentagainst

thedetailsinyourincometaxreturn.Ifyouthinkthereisaproblem,contactthe

ATO.Whenyouphone,haveyournoticeofassessmentand,ifpossible,acopyof

yourincometaxreturnwithyou.

IfafterspeakingtotheATOyoustillbelievethatthedetailsonyournoticeof

assessmentarewrong,youcanrequestanamendmentorlodgeanobjection.

ContacttheATOforinformationonhowtodothis(see Contacts).


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7.8 What i I have difculties making my compulsoryrepayment?

Ifyoubelievethatmakingyourcompulsoryrepaymentwouldcauseyouserious

hardshiporthatthereareotherspecialreasonswhyyoushouldnothavetomake

acompulsoryrepayment,youmayapplytotheATOtohavethatamount(orpart

ofit)deferred.TodothisyouneedtocompletetheformDeerring your compulsory

HELP, HECS or Financial Supplement repayment(availablefromtheATOwebsite).The

formasksforadetailedstatementofyourhouseholdincomeandexpenditureto

justifyyourclaimofserioushardship.TherearetimelimitsforapplyingtodeferyourcompulsoryHELPrepayment,

dependingontheincomeyear.Thereisatwoyeartimelimitonapplyingfora

defermentofyourcompulsoryHELPrepaymentfromthe2005-06incomeyear

andonwards.YoucanapplytodeferyourcompulsoryHECSrepayment(i.e.

relatingtoadebtfromthe200405incomeyearandearlier)atanytime.

TheATOwillwritetosaywhetheryourapplicationissuccessful.Ifyouareunhappy

withthedecision,youmayapply(within28 daysafterthedayyoureceivenotice

ofthedecision)tohaveitreviewed.

If,afterthereview,youstillbelievetheATOhasmadethewrongdecision,

youmaythenapplytotheAdministrativeAppealsTribunal(AAT)forareview.

YouneedtolodgeyourapplicationwiththeAATwithin28 daysaftertheday

youreceivetheletteradvisingyouoftheoutcomeofthereview.

Formoreinformationonapplyingtodeferacompulsoryrepayment,including

timelimits,contacttheATO(see Contacts).

7.9 Can I make voluntary repayments?

Yes.YoucanmakeavoluntaryrepaymenttotheATOatanytimeandforany

amount.MakingavoluntaryrepaymentreducesyourHELPdebtimmediately.

Voluntaryrepaymentsareinadditiontocompulsoryrepayments.Theyare

nonrefundable.

Youmaystillhavetomakeacompulsoryrepaymentaftermaking

avoluntaryrepayment.


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7.10 Can I get a bonus or voluntary repayments?

Changes to the HELP bonus or voluntary repayments

TheAustralianGovernmenthasannouncedareductionintheHELPbonusforvoluntaryrepaymentsof$500ormorefrom10%to5%from1January2012,subjecttothepassageofthelegislation.

Refertowww.deewr.gov.au/veteehelp forup-to-dateinformationonthestatusofthelegislation.

Ifyoumakeavoluntaryrepaymentof$500ormore,youwillreceiveabonusof10%.Thismeansyouraccountwillbecreditedwithanadditional10%ofyourpayment.Thebonusis10%ofthepaymentthatyoumake,not10%oftheoutstandingdebt.Youwillnotreceiveabonusonrepaymentamountsthataremorethanthebalanceofyouraccount.

Toworkouthowmuchyouneedtorepayyourtotaloutstandingdebt,divideyour

totaldebtby1.10.

ExampleVanessahasadebtof$5,250andmakesa$2,500voluntaryrepayment.With

the10%bonus,thevalueofherrepaymentis:$2,750($2,500x1.10).

Vanessastotaldebtisreducedto:$2,500($5,250$2,750).

Vanessasbonusamountis:$250($2,750-$2,500).

IfyouhaveanyHELPdebtsthathavenotbeenreportedtotheATOatthetimeyoumakethevoluntaryrepayment,the10%bonuswillbereversedoradjustedoncethosedebtsaretransferredtoyouraccount.

ThereisusuallyadelaybetweenthecensusdateforaunitofstudyandwhentheATOreceivesandrecordsyourdebtforthatunit.ContacttheATOifyouwanttomakeavoluntaryrepaymentagainstadebtforaunityouhaveonlyrecentlyenrolledin.

Youmaybenetfrommakingavoluntaryrepaymentbeforeindexationisappliedon1 June.Ifyouwanttodothis,allowenoughtimeforthepaymenttobe

receivedandprocessedtoyouraccountbefore1 June.

Ifyouwanttopayoffyourtotaldebtwithavoluntaryrepayment,youshouldmaketherepaymentbeforeyoulodgeyourincometaxreturn,otherwisea


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compulsoryrepaymentmaybeincludedinyourincometaxnoticeofassessmentandyoumaynotreceivethe10%bonus.

7.11 How do I make a voluntary repayment?

Thereareseveralwaysyoucanmakeavoluntaryrepayment.Youwillneedyour

PaymentReferenceNumber(PRN)tomakeavoluntaryrepayment.

What is my Payment Reerence Number?

YourPRNisyourcustomerreferencenumber.Itisprintedonthefrontofyourpaymentsliporonyouraccountinformationstatement.IfyoupayusingBPAY,

creditcardordirectcredityouwillneedthisnumber.

Electronic payments

YoucanmakeelectronicpaymentsthroughBPAYordirectcredit.TodothisyouwillneedthePRNprintedonthefrontofyourpaymentsliporonyouraccountinformationstatement.

Paymentsmadeoutofhoursoronaweekendorpublicholidaywillnotreachthe

ATOuntilthenextworkingday.IfyouwantthepaymenttoreachtheATObyaspecicdateyoushouldcheckprocessingtimeswithyourbank.

BPAY

DetailsyouwillneedtomakeapaymenttotheATOusingBPAYthrough

telephoneorinternetbanking:

Billercode: 75556Reference: Your PRN

RegisteredtoBPAYPTYLTDABN69079137518

Creditcard

Creditcardpaymentscanbemadeonlineorbyphone.TomakeacreditcardpaymenttotheATOyouwillneed:

acurrentVisa,MasterCardorAmericanExpresscard;and

yourPRN.

Acreditcardfeeappliestotransactionsmadeusingthecreditcardpaymentservice.

Tomakecreditcardpaymentsonlineorforfurtherinformationgotowww.ato.gov.au/howtopay.


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Tomakecreditcardpaymentsbyphonecall1300 898 089.

Directcredit

DetailsyouwillneedtomakeapaymenttotheATOthroughanonlinedirectcredittransferfromyourbankaccount:

Bank: Reserve Bank o AustraliaBSBnumber: 093 003Accountnumber: 316 385Accountname: ATO direct credit account

Reference: Your PRN

IfyoucannotndyourPRN,contacttheATO.

Mail

YoucanmailyourchequeormoneyordertotheATO.ChequesandmoneyordersshouldbeinAustraliandollarsandpayabletoDeputyCommissionerofTaxation.ChequesshouldbecrossedNotNegotiableandmustnotbepost-dated.

Donotsendcashthroughthemailorusepins,staples,paperclipsoradhesivetape.

Youneedtoincludeyourpaymentslip(seebelow)oranotethatstatesyour:

fullname,addressandtelephonenumber;

accountidentier:taxlenumber,Australianbusinessnumberorclientidenticationnumber;and

paymenttype:HELP.

IfyouliveinWA,SA,NT,TASorVIC,usethisaddress:

AustralianTaxationOfce

LockedBag1936ALBURYNSW1936

IfyouliveinNSW,ACTorQLD,usethisaddress:

AustralianTaxationOfceLockedBag1793

PENRITHNSW1793

AustraliaPost

Ifyouhavepre-printedpaymentslipswithabarcode,youcanpayinpersonatany

AustraliaPostoutlet.


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A$3,000limitappliestocashpayments.EFTPOSpaymentsaresubjecttodailywithdrawallimits.

ChequesandmoneyordersshouldbeinAustraliandollarsandpayabletoDeputy

CommissionerofTaxation.ChequesshouldbecrossedNotNegotiableandmust

notbepost-dated.

Orderabookofpaymentslips

YoucanorderabookletofpaymentslipsbyphoningtheATOon13 28 65.Youwill

needtogiveyourtaxlenumber.

Paying rom overseas

BPAY

IfyouhaveanAustralianbankaccountyoucanmakepaymentsusing

BPAYthroughphoneorinternetbanking.

Detailsyouwillneed:

Billercode: 75556

Reference: Your PRN

Creditcard

TopaybycreditcardyourequireacurrentVisa,MasterCardorAmericanExpresscard

andyourPRN.Paymentsfromoverseascanonlybemadeusingtheonlineservice.

DirectcreditthroughSWIFTorbymail

Forinformationaboutthesepaymentoptions:

visitwww.ato.gov.au/howtopay; phone+61 2 6216 1111andasktobeconnectedtoextension87811ATO

PaymentHelpdesk(8:00am5:00pm,MondaytoFriday);or

[email protected].

7.12 Are my repayments tax deductible?

Voluntaryrepaymentsmadebyyouorsomeoneotherthanyourpayerarenot

taxdeductible.Yourpayermaybeabletoclaimataxdeductionforvoluntary

repaymentsitmakesonyourbehalfbutitmayalsobeliableforfringebenets

taxontherepayments.


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7.13 What happens to my debt i I die?Yourestatehastopayanyoutstandingcompulsor yrepaymentrelatingtothe

periodbeforeyourdeath,buttheremainderofyouraccumulatedHELPdebt

iscancelled.

7.14 What happens to my debt i I go bankrupt?

YoustillhavetopayyouraccumulatedHELPdebtasifyouhadnotbeen

declaredbankrupt.

7.15 Where can I get inormation on my HELP account?

AtanytimeoftheyearyoucanphonetheATOtogetyouraccountbalanceor

requestastatement.

YourstatementissenttoyourlatesthomeaddressshownonATOrecordsor,ifthe

ATOdoesnthaveyourhomeaddress,tothepostaladdressonyourlatestincome

taxreturn.

Toprotecttheprivacyofyourinformation,theATOneedstoverifyyouridentity

beforeitcangivedetailsofyouraccounttoyouoverthephone.Todothis,you

needtogiveoneofthefollowing:

yourtaxlenumber;

yourAustralianBusinessNumber;or

yourname.

Ifyouhaveeverlodgedanincometaxreturn,youneedtogivethreeofthe

followingidentiers.Ifyouhaveneverlodgedanincometaxreturn,youneedtosupplyonlytwoofthefollowingidentiers:

yourdateofbirth;

youraddress(business,residential,postaloremail)ortelephonenumber;

yourcurrentbankaccountdetails;

detailsfromanATOletterornoticesenttoyouwithinthelastveyears;or

yourATOaccountdetailse.g.balance,amountofanyrefund,paymentor

interestimposed,amountandfrequencyofapaymentarrangement,orPAYG

instalmentamountorrate.


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contacts

Your approved VET FEE-HELP provider

They can help you with:

enrolments;

tuitionfees;

theircensusdatesandadministrativedates;

withdrawals;

applyingforVETFEE-HELP;

gettingyourFEE-HELPbalancere-creditedandyourVETFEE-HELPdebt

removedunderspecialcircumstances;

grievanceproceduresforstudentcomplaints;and

theCommonwealthHigherEducationStudentSupportNumber(CHESSN).

Department o Education, Employment and Workplace Relations(DEEWR)


VETFEE-HELPandothercomponentsoftheHigherEducationLoanProgram

(HELP);and

otherformsofAustralianGovernmentassistance.

How to contact DEEWR:

visittheVETFEE-HELPwebsiteatwww.deewr.gov.au/veteehelp ;

[email protected] ;

callthestudentenquirylineon 13 38 73;

callthestudentenquirylineon1800 554 609TTYforhearingimpaired

andspeechimpairedstudents;or

logontomyUniAssistforthebalanceofyourentitlementsat

www.goingtouni.gov.au.


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Australian Taxation Ofce (ATO)

How to contact the ATO:

visitwww.ato.gov.au;

call1300 720 092togetthebookletRepaying your HELP debt in 201112;

call13 28 61forHELPandgeneraltaxinformation;

calltheHigherEducationLoanAccountsUniton1300 650 225forspecic

queriesaboutyouraccount;or

Call133 677TTYor1300 555 727TTYforhearingimpairedandspeechimpairedstudents.

Ifyouhaveataxlenumber,pleasehaveitreadybeforeyoucalltheATO.

Addresswrittencorrespondence(notvoluntaryrepayments)to:

AustralianTaxationOfce

POBox1032

ALBURYNSW2640

Centrelink

How to contact Centrelink:

visitwww.centrelink.gov.au;

callYouthandStudentServiceson13 24 90forinformationonYouth

Allowance,AustudyandPensionerEducationSupplement;

call13 23 17forinformationonABSTUDY;

call1800 639 109forABSTUDYTTYpaymentenquiries; call1800 810 586forotherTTYpaymentenquiries;or

call13 12 02forinformationinlanguagesotherthanEnglish.


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Department o Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)


visas;or

Australiancitizenship.

How to contact DIAC:

visitwww.immi.gov.auforvisainformation;

visitwww.citizenship.gov.auforcitizenshipinformation;

call13 18 81forvisaenquiries;or

call13 18 80forcitizenshipenquiries.


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Cpy

Commonwealth o Australia 2011

ISSN 1449-9282

This work is copyright. Apar t rom any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part

may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission rom the Commonwealth.

Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the

Commonwealth Copyright Administration, Attorney Generals Department, Robert GarranOfces, National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600 or posted at http://www.ag.gov.au/cca.


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Vet Fee-help 2012 Booklet - Update

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Transcript of Vet Fee-help 2012 Booklet - Update