Postgraduate Commonwealth supported places

A Commonwealth supported place is a university place where, for eligible domestic students, tuition fees are made up of two parts: 

• an Australian Government contribution (for some courses, up to three-quarters of the tuition fee is funded by the Australian Government); and 
• a student contribution (which may be deferred and repaid later via a HECS-HELP loan) 

If you apply for any CSP approved courses at UOW, your eligibility is automatically considered when we assess your application.  

From Wednesday 7 October 2026.

If you are an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent visa holder, or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder, and are planning to study in Australia, you must provide the relevant documentation. 

Permanent humanitarian visa holders (or eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holders), New Zealand citizens on a Special Category Visa who meet the long-term residency requirements, and Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) holders may also be able to access a HECS-HELP loan to defer all or part of their student contribution. You must live in Australia for the duration of your studies. 

When your place is Commonwealth supported, the cost of your student contribution depends on your choice of subjects and your year of enrolment and completion. The CSP is only available for the subjects that are part of the approved course structure. See how tuition fees and student contributions are calculated. 

Yes, but any changes to your offer may impact your eligibility.

CSPs are available in selected postgraduate courses across UOW, so you can build advanced knowledge and practical, career-ready skills without carrying the full cost of tuition. Find the list of courses here - Postgraduate Commonwealth Supported Places 2027

If you apply for a course with CSP’s available at UOW, your eligibility is automatically considered when we assess your application. You do not need to submit a separate application. 

Visit Commonwealth supported places (CSPs) - Study Assist, Australian Government for more information about CSP eligibility requirements. 

If you are eligible for a CSP, this will be listed in your offer.

The new fees will come into effect on Wednesday 7 October. If you have submitted a complete application prior to this date, a CSP will be offered. Incomplete applications or any application submitted after this date will be subject to the new 2027 fee structure.

The UOW subsidised fee (USF) reduction on a Domestic Full-Fee Paying (DFP) course only applies to 2026 intakes so you will receive the full-fee paying price. Where the course is Commonwealth supported, you will receive a CSP. 

Your 2027 offer and fees will depend on which course you have applied to study:  

• If your 2027 course is currently Commonwealth supported, you may be eligible to receive a CSP offer.  

• If your 2027 course is currently full-fee paying, you may be eligible to receive a full-fee paying offer, however, there will be no UOW subsidised fee (USF) reduction applied to 2027 offers.   

• Please note: 2027 fee structures and the allocation of Commonwealth supported places are subject to change. Any future changes will be reflected in offers issued from the point of change. 

 *A packaged offer is a conditional offer for two or more courses, for example a graduate certificate and a master’s. Any conditions must be passed to gain entry into the second degree.   

If you are issued with a new offer, it will be assessed under the fee structure applicable to the year you start studying. 

If you apply for a CSP course with a 2028 start, your offer will generally be issued as a Commonwealth supported place, based on the course approvals in place at the time. As long as you don't change your offer, your CSP will be honoured. If you change your intake or course, a CSP may no longer be available, so speak with our team before making changes.

In most cases, the CSP is for the entire length of the course as long as it adheres to the Student Learning Entitlement guidelines. 

From 1 January 2022, any study undertaken in a CSP will count towards a student's Student Learning Entitlement (SLE). The SLE determines the amount of time a student can take to complete their course with a CSP. Students are eligible for seven years of full-time equivalent study in a CSP before they reach their SLE limit. 

No, student contribution amounts have increased slightly between 2026 and 2027.

The new 2027 fees will come into effect on Wednesday 7 October 2027. If you have submitted a complete application* prior to this date, and you satisfy all course admission requirements, the CSP will be offered. Incomplete applications or any application submitted after this date will be subject to the new 2027 fee structure. 

* Complete applications refer to where admissions can finalise the assessment and issue an offer based on the information provided. 

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a loan to defer the cost of study until you earn above a certain income. HECS-HELP is the loan scheme for Commonwealth supported degrees, while FEE-HELP is for fee-paying students including those receiving UOW subsidised fees (USF) reductions.

Yes, as long as you meet the government eligibility requirements for a HELP loan.  

Domestic Fee-Paying (DFP) students may be eligible to receive a FEE-HELP loan. To be eligible to access FEE-HELP you must meet the citizenship and residency requirements, have an available HELP balance* and submit a request for Commonwealth assistance before the census date.  

HECS-HELP is only available to students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP). The 20% FEE-HELP loan fee does not apply to postgraduate study. 

*Your HELP balance is your remaining borrowing capacity under the HELP scheme. The combined HELP loan limit is what you are eligible to borrow from the Australian Government to cover the costs of your fees. 

Domestic students eligible for CSPs or full-fee loans must either pay upfront on, before the census date, or defer their tuition to a HELP loan. Instalment plans are only available to students who are not eligible to access Commonwealth assistance.

Yes.

Yes.