VET Student Loans  

The VET Student Loans program is a government program that assists eligible students to pay for the vocational education training (VET) course. The program is designed to provide financial support to students undertaking higher level training in courses that address workplace and industry needs. Creating better opportunities for employment 

What is a VET Student Loan? 

The Australian Government has approved AMA Queensland Education and Training Institute to offer VET Student Loans to students who are eligible. This loans helps eligible VET students pay their tuition fees. 

The government sets a specific limit on the fees it will cover for the course. If your course fees exceed the loan cap, you will need to pay the difference. 

You can use a VET Student loan to:

  • cover some, or
  • all of you tuition fees 

A few key points when considering a VET Student Loan:

  • you must be eligible to access a VET Student Loan
  • you can only access a VET Student Loan for an approved course and with an approved provider 
  • a VET Student Loan may not cover the full tuition fee, you may be required to pay a gap fee 
  • VET Student Loans incur a 20% loan fee 
  • Repayment of the VET Student Loan is managed through the Australian tax system, you will need to begin repaying your loan once your income reached a certain level 

 

Key information to consider

A VET Student Loan is considered a personal debt, you want to ensure that you:

  • read and understand all terms and conditions before progressing
  • assess if it is the right option for you as it can affect your future borrowing ability

For more key information, visit the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations VET Student Loans

 

Approved courses

Not all courses are approved for a VET Student Loans. It's important that you discuss this with the Institute and conduct your own research to determine if your chosen qualification is an approved course. 

To apply for a VET Student Loan, you must meet the:

Who is eligible for the VET Student Loan?

Check your eligibility

To be eligible for a VET Student Loan, you must be one of the following:

  • an Australian citizen
  • a permanent humanitarian visa holder who is usually a resident in Australia 
  • a Pacific Engagement visa holder who is usually a resident in Australia 
  • a qualifying New Zealand citizen on a Special Category Visa (SCV) who meets the long-term residency requirements

Requirements for long-term New Zealand residents 

To qualify for a VET Student Loan, New Zealand citizens must:

  • hold a New Zealand Special Category via (SCV) 
  • have been living as a resident in Australia for at least ten years 
  • have been a dependent child when residence in Australia first began 
  • have been in Australia for totalling eight years during the previous ten years from the dates of the loan application
  • have been in Australia for periods totalling 18 months during the previous two years. 

*holders of other permanent visas and temporary visas are not eligible for a VET Student Loan

Check your eligibility using the VSL Eligibility Check  

 

Academic Suitability

To be eligible for a VET Student Loan, you need to be deemed academically suitable. To be considered as academically suitable, you need top meet of of the following criteria:

  • provide a copy of a year 12 certificate or Diploma, 

  • show evidence of a certificate IV level qualification or higher, OR
  • complete a literacy and numeracy assessment

Other eligibility requirements to access a VET Student Loan

Before you apply for the VET Student Loan, there are other compliance related requirements you will need to meet, these include:

  • must have or have applied for a Tax File Number (TFN)

  • must have or have applied for a Unique Student Identifier (USI) number 
  • not have already exceeded your Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loan limit - check to see if you have exceeded that here 

Tax File Number - the institute requires your TFN because your loan repayments are made through the tax system - apply for one here 

Unique Student Identifier - to study a nationally recognised qualification or training course, you are required to have a USI - register for one here

Other key points include the following:

  • your intention must be to study most of your qualification in Australia 

  • provide any required documentation to AMA Queensland Education and Training Institute and submit the Electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form online prior to the first census date
  • comply with ongoing Australian Government 

How to apply for a VET Student Loan

A VET Student Loan helps you cover your tuition fees. It is an agreement between you and the Australian Government. 

How to apply for a VET Student Loan:

1. Check your eligibility here

2. After you have been accepted into your chosen approved course:

  • when enrolling into your course it is important that you identify that you would like to apply for a VET Student Loan. Once AMA Queensland Education and Training Institute accepts your enrolment, we notify the government that you would like to apply for a VET Student Loan. 

3. What to expect next:

  • the government will send you an email with a passkey (password) to access the Electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) - this MUST be completed in the online form format to complete your VET Student Loan application. Visit the eCAF fact sheet for more information

  • the above passkey is essential to completing this application 
  • check your email regularly to ensure you complete this step in the process. 

4. Prepare your Tax File Number (TFN) 

You will need to provide your TFN when completing your VET Student Loan application. Key points:

  • The personal details you provide to the institute must match with your ATO records

  • You will need a valid TFN to be able to apply for a VET Student Loan

Log into your mygov account to check your details are correct before applying 

Complete your loan application

Your enrolment to study with AMA Queensland Education and Training Institute does not automatically enrol you into your VET Student Loan. Take the steps below to ensure you apply for your VET Student Loan: 

  • Enrol into your course with AMAQETI - there is a two day waiting period before you can apply for your loan via the electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF). This is to ensure you have sufficient time to consider your decision before making the commitment 

  • Complete the electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form prior to the census date to ensure you have applied for your loan. 

Credit transfers

If you have previously completed relevant studies, you may qualify for:

  • reduced fees through credit transfer 

  • course credit through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

It is important to advise AMA Queensland Education and Training Institute about any prior qualifications that you have obtained that may be relevant. You can discuss these options with your course advisor BEFORE you enrol. 

 

VET Student Loans Responsibilities and Requirements 

To remain eligible for your VET Student Loan, you must follow the engagement and progression requirements developed by the Australian Government during your studies. 

This will involve:

The completion of progression forms over the course of your studies. This is normal part of the process to confirm you are a student with the institute. It is used by the Department of Education and Workplace Relations to confirm you still require the loan to pay your study fees and your current status.

Your progression form will be sent via email by the Australian Government when it is time to complete your form.

Please note:

  • The email will provide you with log in details to access the form and provide you with simple steps for completion.

  • Progression forms MUST be completed by all students accessing a VET Student Loan

  • If progression forms are not complete, you will loose access to your VET Student Loan

  • You must inform the institute if your personal details change at any stage throughout your studies

For more information about this process for VET Student Loans can be found on the Department of Education and Workplace Relations (DEWR) website


 

 

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Repaying your VET Student Loan

It is important to understand how your VET Student Loan works to ensure you can manage the cost of your education. Continue through the information below to better understand how course fees will be charged, when payments will need to be made, and how to manage your VET Student Loan. 

You will also find key pieces of information such as key dates, policies and procedures, credit transfers and support available to you. 

Course fee details 

A VET Student Loan approved course is charged by Units of Study (UoC). 

Units of Study (uoS)

All VET Student Loans courses have a minimal of 3 Units of Study. Course fees are divided across the duration of the course. 

Gap fees 

A Gap fee is the fee that you will have to pay yourself if the course you have chosen to study is more than the course loan cap that is set out each year by the Australian Government. You can learn more about the Loan Caps here. 

 

Repaying your loan

Once your income exceeds a specific amount, you will start to pay off your student loan via the tax system. The specific threshold is something set by the government. Once you earn more than this, part of your income will be allocated to paying off your VET Student Loan. You can find information on repaying your loan and the years threshold here. 

Important things to note

A VET Student Loan is a personal debt and it can affect your credit rating. 

If you move overseas, you are still require to make repayments if your income exceeds the threshold. You can find more information on your obligations as a student on the ATO website. 

For more information on Student Loan repayments, visit the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) website. Youc an find details guidance on repayment amounts and how the threshold works. 

Census days

A Census Date is a date within each Unit of Study that is the last day you can withdraw from the UOS without incurring a loan for the tuition fees. 

Important things to note:

  • this census date is set at least 20% the way through your Unit of Study 

  • you will receive a fee notice 14 days before the census date. This will give you the details of the fees and any important dates
  • you will incur the VET Student Loan for the Unit of Study tuition fees, the day after the census day has passed. 
  • A Commonwealth Assistance Notices (CAN) providing you with the VET Student Loan and any loan fees will be sent to you after the census date. If you believe the information within that notices is not correct, you will need to contact the institute. 

You must ensure that the institute has your most up to date contact details at all times. 

Withdrawals and Refunds

Should you decide to withdraw from or defer your studies, you must complete the withdrawal form. To avoid incurring any fees for that Unit of Study, you will need to complete this form prior to the census date. After the census date, you will be charged for the Unit of Study you are enrolled in and will not be eligible for a refund. 

There may be instances under special circumstances where you could be eligible for a full or partial refund for any fees paid up front or a re-credit to your VET Student Loan debt. 

Tuition Protection Service

TPS is a safety net for students. If AMA Queensland Education and Training Institute stops offering your course, we will help you enrol into a similar course so that your studies can continue uninterrupted. If that cannot happen, you may receive:

  • a refund of any upfront payments, or

  • a re credit of your loan balance for any affected units of study

You can find more information on the TPS on the Australian Governments Department of Education website

Term dates 

VET Student Loans courses - term dates 2026
VET Student loans - Term Dates 2027
VET Student loans - term dates 2028
VET Student loans - term Dates 2029
VET Student Loans - term dates 2030
  • Holiday breaks are scheduled between each term
Diploma of Business BSB50120
Diploma of Leadership and Management BSB50420
Diploma of Community Services CHC52021
Diploma of Mental Health CHC53315
Diploma of Business B2B50120

Total Course Fees are $4,500, and students can opt to pay via a weekly payment plan.

Choose a weekly payment plan and pay from $43/week*
Requires a $200 deposit
See course details
*All payment plans are paid back over a number of weeks in line with the qualification length. 
  • All fees are quoted in Australian Dollars.
  • All payments must be via credit card or from an Australian bank account and where a Payment Plan is chosen, on a recurring auto-debit basis.
  • AMA Queensland Education and Training Institute offers weekly direct debit repayment option.
  • Student Loan funding is subject to the individual loan provider criteria, terms and conditions.
  • The college strongly urges students to seek financial advice before applying for a Study Loan.
  • Credit card payments incur a surcharge of 2.5% per transaction.
  • All fees are subject to change without prior notification.
  • Course entry requirements apply and are strictly adhered to.
  • Textbook Fees - Students are required to purchase any textbooks independently.