Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is the most common way for domestic students to study at an Australian university. With a CSP, the Australian Government pays part of your course fees directly to the university, and you pay the remaining amount called your student contribution.

Most undergraduate courses at UNE offer CSP places to eligible students. Your student contribution amount depends on your study load and the subjects you enrol in.

View the specific CSP student contribution amounts for 2026 Commonwealth Supported Places.

CSP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

These answers cover key information you need to know about CSP eligibility and options.

Who is eligible for CSP?

To be eligible for a CSP you must be either:

  • an Australian citizen who will be residing in Australia for at least one unit of study contributing to your course, or
  • an Australian Permanent Resident who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your course;
  • a New Zealand citizen who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your course.

For more information on CSP eligibility, visit the Study Assist website.

How CSPs work?

If you receive a CSP and meet the residency criteria*, you can choose to either:

  • pay the student contribution amount upfront (payable by trimester),
  • take out a HECS-HELP loan to defer the cost of the student contribution amount, or
  • a combination of both (i.e. pay the student contribution amount for some units upfront, and take out a HECS-HELP loan for some units).

*If you are an Australian Citizen studying at least one unit while residing in Australia; a Permanent Resident holding a Permanent Humanitarian Visa, or New Zealand Citizen holding a Special Category Visa (who meets the additional eligibility criteria, see Study Assist) who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your course, you may be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.

If you are an Australian Citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident , or a New Zealand Citizen living overseas, you are not eligible for a HECS-HELP loan and must pay the student contribution amount upfront (payable by trimester.)

What are HECS-HELP Loans?

A CSP and a HECS-HELP loan are not the same thing. A CSP is a subsidised place at University while a HECS-HELP loan allows you to defer paying back your student contribution until you meet the income threshold. You can pay your loan back over time rather than an upfront payment.

You start repaying your HECS-HELP debt when your income reaches the compulsory repayment threshold. This threshold changes each financial year to reflect cost of living adjustments. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) manages HECS-HELP repayments through the tax system. Check the current threshold on the ATO website.

Find our more about tuition fee loans and payment options.

What are Commonwealth Assistance requirements?

Students who are eligible for any type of Commonwealth Assistance (such as a Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP), or HELP loans such as HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP) should be aware of sector-wide requirements that can impact upon students being able to obtain, or keep studying with, this assistance.

Students must ensure they are making decisions about their enrolment and progression that take into account any Commonwealth Assistance eligibility requirements.

What courses have CSP available?

All UNE undergraduate courses have CSP available for eligible students. Selected postgraduate courses also offer CSP places, although some have limited quotas. See the complete list of CSP eligible courses.