There are a range of study and training support loans that fall under the category of STSL including:

• HELP – The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) can assist eligible students with their tuition fees from a university or higher education provider.  There are a range of different HELP loans including
  • HECS-HELP – available to students to pay their personal contribution amount if they are enrolled in a commonwealth supported place
  • FEE-HELP – is available to students to pay tuition fees when they are not enrolled in a commonwealth supported place (ie a full-fee paying place)
  • STARTUP-HELP – this loan can be used to pay course fees for a Startup Year course and is paid directly to the provider by the government.
  • SA-HELP – this loan can be used to pay the student and amenities fees (separate to tuition fees).
  • OS-HELP – this loan can be used by student enrolled in a commonwealth supported place who want to take part in overseas study.
• VSL – The VET Student Loan (VSL) offers income contingent loan support to students studying certain diploma level (and above) vocational education and training qualifications.
• SFSS -The Student Financial Supplement Scheme (SFSS) was a voluntary loan scheme to help tertiary students cover their expenses while they studied.  It is no longer available but students may still have outstanding balances to be repaid.
• SSL & ABSTUDY SSL – The Student Startup Loan (SSL) and ABSTUDY Student Startup Loan (ABSTUDY SSL) are voluntary loans available to students in higher education who receive
  • Youth Allowance
  • Austudy
  • ABSTUDY Living Allowance
• TSL – A Trade Support Loan (TSL) provides loans for eligible Australian apprentices over a 4-year period.  Upon completion of the apprenticeship a 20% discount is applied to the loan.

If you have any of the above type of loans, you need to inform your employer on your Tax File Number declaration form (or other employer documents) that you have an STSL debt.  They will then withhold an additional amount from your wages to cover any potential repayment.