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
Application rounds
The department expects to open an application round for interested RTOs later this calendar year. This website will be updated with the relevant dates once they have been determined. The most recent round closed on 4 June 2021. If you are interested in applying to become a VSL approved course provider in future, please complete the VET Student Loans Providers Form.
Interested parties who express, or have already expressed, an interest in applying to become a VSL Approved Course Provider will automatically receive an Application Package before the next round opens. General enquiries should be addressed to vetloans@dese.gov.au.
Loan fee exemption ceased 30 June 2021 for VSL
The loan fee exemption for VSL students has not been extended. The exemption ceased on 30 June 2021 and the loan fee arrangements recommenced from 1 July 2021. This means any units with census days from 1 July 2021 onwards for full fee-paying students will attract a 20% loan fee.
VSL Provider Newsletter
The June edition of the VSL Provider Newsletter contains updates on the business improvement projects, details on revising student data in TCSI and an invitation to participate in moderated sessions to provide feedback on the My Skills RTO portal design and functionality.
VET Student Loans Hot Topics
The VET Student Loans Hot Topics page will be updated regularly with recent changes and issues affecting VSL providers. Current hot topics are the VET Student Loans Code of Practice and the Unique Student Identifier Update.
VET Student Loans key dates
- 4 June 2021 – Application round closed
- 30 June 2021 – Reporting deadline for VFH units – census dates before 1 January 2018
- 29 July 2021 - VSL Forum
- 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 13 July 2021.