Low Completion Rate

The Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA) has been amended to remove the requirement that students must pass 50 per cent of their units they study to remain eligible for Commonwealth assistance (studying in a CSP or access to a HELP loans). This change is effective from 1 January 2024. 

Students enrolled in units of study with census dates on or after 1 January 2024will not need to meet the pass rate requirements.

If you had lost access to commonwealth support due to having a low completion rate, your eligibility for CSP or FEE HELP has been restored in January 2024.

Between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2023, all students enrolling into or transferring into a new program were required to meet the Australian Government's completion rate in order to maintain eligibility for Commonwealth support (CSP and HELP loan).

What is the low completion rate?

A 'low completion rate' is when you have failed more than 50 per cent of the courses you have attempted in your program, after you have attempted either:

  • eight or more courses in a bachelor level or higher program; or
  • four or more courses in a higher education program lower than a bachelor program.

Withdrawing from a course after the census date is viewed as a fail in the context of calculating a completion rate.

How will I know if I have a low completion rate?

All students with a low completion rate will be notified after semester results are released and be given advice about their options. These may include:

  • continuing your program by paying upfront tuition fees (if upfront fees are accepted for the program);
  • applying for entry into another program after discussion with your academic college;
  • applying for late withdrawal if you can demonstrate unavoidable and extenuating circumstances; 
  • ceasing your program.

Where can I get more information?

For further information, please click on the below link(s):

Where can I get support?

If you think you are at risk of meeting the low completion rate, contact your Academic College as soon as possible.

Any changes to your studies should be made before the relevant census date for your session of study to avoid academic and financial penalties.

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