The VET Student Loans (VSL) program assists eligible students pay tuition fees for approved higher-level (diploma and above) vocational education and training (VET) courses, when studying at VET Student Loans approved course providers. The program is designed to provide financial support to students undertaking higher level training in courses that address workplace and industry needs, creating better opportunities for employment.
Students
Check your eligibility and find out how to apply for a VET Student Loan. You can also find information on approved courses and providers .
Providers
If you meet course provider requirements, you may apply to be approved as a VET Student Loans provider. Resources and guides are available to assist approved providers with payment, reporting and compliance requirements.
Compliance
The Department of Education, Skills and Employment (department) has a strong commitment to ensuring that approved VSL providers comply with their legal obligations. The department undertakes a range of compliance activities including audits, investigations and student surveys to identify potential non-compliance by providers.
VET Student Loans latest news
Tuition Protection Review
The Review of Tuition Protection arrangements for VET Student Loans, international education and higher education has commenced. Learn more about the Review, including the Terms of Reference, and how you can be involved.
VET Student Loans Approvals
From 1 March 2022 onwards, the department will be accepting applications from providers to become an approved VET Student Loans provider.
You may submit applications at any time from 1 March 2022 for assessment by the department. Providers will be informed of the outcome of their application in writing. Any applications submitted on or after 1 December 2022 will be accepted and the outcome advised in early 2023.
Please email VSLProviderApprovals@dese.gov.au to notify the department at least six weeks prior to the date you expect to submit your application. You can amend this date at any time by notifying the department.
You may also submit a request for your conditions of approval to be varied or for fee limits to be increased at any time. You may also request approval of a third party arrangement.
VSL Provider Newsletter
The October edition of the VSL Provider Newsletter contains information on checking a student’s HELP balance and advises of an issue with transferring students’ debt records to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO.)
Subscribe to receive the VSL Provider Newsletter, invitations to the VSL Forum and important alerts about the VSL program.
VET Student Loans Hot Topics
The VET Student Loans Hot Topics page will be updated regularly with recent changes and issues affecting VSL providers. The current hot topic is a reminder about handling information.
VET Student Loans key dates
- 30 June 2021 – Reporting deadline for VFH units – census dates before 1 January 2018
- 1 July 2021 - 20% loan fee recommenced
- 6 October 2021 – Schedule 3 application round closed
- 31 December – Reporting deadline for VFH units – census dates in 2018
Approved VET Student Loans Providers
The list of approved VET Student Loans providers was updated on 7 October 2021.