Domestic students are any students who are:
- Australian citizens
- or New Zealand citizens residing in Australia
- or holders of an Australian permanent residency visa
- or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa.
Commonwealth supported students
Undergraduate (Domestic) students
The majority of students who are studying undergraduate programs are recognised as Commonwealth supported students. This means that you are required to make a contribution to the cost of your education with the majority of the cost met by the Commonwealth Government.
Postgraduate (Domestic) students
There are a small number of programs available for postgraduate study which admit students on a Commonwealth supported basis. Please refer to the Programs and courses website to see if your postgraduate program is Commonwealth supported.
- More information for Commonwealth supported students
- HELP loans
- Abolition of student learning entitlement
Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number
All Commonwealth supported students and students who access HELP or a Commonwealth Learning Scholarship will be allocated a Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN) by the Australian Government.
The CHESSN is a unique identifier given to each student. It will be used by a Higher Education Provider (the University) to access a student's eligibility to, HELP and Commonwealth Learning Scholarship. The Australian Government will use the CHESSN to keep track of each student's HELP balances.
Students can use their CHESSN to access the Australian Government's StudyAssist website to keep track of their student learning entitlement and HELP balances.
Fee-paying students
Undergraduate (Domestic) students
From January 2009, the Commonwealth Government will phase out fee-paying domestic undergraduate places. Students currently enrolled in a full fee-paying undergraduate place will continue their enrolment on that basis from January 2009.
Eligible students (Australian citizens or holders of permanent humanitarian visas) are able to borrow money from the Commonwealth Government to pay the tuition fees for their tertiary studies through a scheme called FEE-HELP, for which a 25% loan fee applies to undergraduate students.
NOTE: In 2011 the FEE-HELP loan fee was increased to 25% for undergraduate units of study with a census date on or after 1 January 2011. The increase applies regardless of whether you are a new or continuing student. Students who submit or have already submitted a form indicating the 20% loan fee are considered to have completed a valid form and will be subject to the increased percentage, as the legislative amendments take precedence.
Students who have been admitted to Griffith University as International students and who have since been granted an Australian Permanent Residency / Humanitarian visa / Australian citizenship or New Zealand citizenship will be transferred from international fee paying places and may apply for a CSP or Domestic Fee Paying place.
Postgraduate (Domestic) students
The majority of students who are studying postgraduate programs are recognised as fee paying postgraduate students. Students admitted to a postgraduate program are required to pay tuition fees. You may be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to assist in paying all or part of your tuition fees.
Non-award study or Continuing Education Certificates
Students who are admitted as miscellaneous, non-award students or students undertaking a Continuing Education Certificate are required to pay tuition fees. You are not eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to assist in paying your tuition fees. The tuition fees for non-award students are available in the fees and charges policy.
Cross-institutional domestic students can be the exception to this rule as they are allowed to carry their fee status from their home institution. Eligible students can continue to access HECS/FEE-HELP.
Application fee
Students seeking a place in a Continuing Education Certificate program or as a Miscellaneous student must pay a non-refundable application fee. Applications that do not have the fee attached will be deemed incomplete. This may cause you to miss out on a place in your desired program. These charges are outlined in the fees and charges policy.
Higher degrees research
Domestic students who are admitted to a research higher degree program are exempt from tuition fees under the Research Training Scheme. However, textbooks, personal study materials and some support services are additional costs.