Commonwealth supported costs
Most of the students who study at the University of Sydney are Commonwealth supported. These students have most of the cost of their education paid by the Government but must also contribute towards this cost themselves. Each student has a seven year full time period during which they can remain Commonwealth supported. This seven year period is called their “learning entitlement”.
Some courses are more expensive to teach than others, so the amount students contribute depends on the courses and subjects they choose to study.
The table below outlines how much students enrolling for the first time at the University of Sydney in 2009 will have to contribute. In this table, areas of study have been split into four bands, the amount students pay depends on the banding of the subjects in which they enrol. Remember, in some degrees such as science, arts and economics the range of subjects offered can cross a number of bands, so the exact contribution will depend on the subjects chosen. Please note that the costs listed below are yearly average estimations.
| Student Contribution Band | Unit of Study Field | Students commencing study after 1 January 2009 |
Students who commenced study between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 and are continuing in the same course | Students who commenced study before January 1, 2008 and are continuing in the same course |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | Humanities, Arts, Behavioural Science, Social Studies, Foreign Languages, Visual and Performing Arts | $5,201 | $5,201 | $5,201 |
| Band 2 | Computing, Built Environment, Health, Engineering, Surveying, Agriculture | $7,412 | $7,412 | $7,412 |
| Band 3 | Law, Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science | $8,677 | $8,677 | $8,677 |
| Band 4 National Priorities | Education and Nursing | $4,162 | $4,162 | $4,162 |
| Band 5 | Accounting, Administration, Economics and Commerce | $8,677 | $8,677 | $7,412 |
| Band 6 | Mathematics, Science and Statistics | $4,162 | $7,412 | $7,412 |
HECS-HELP
Commonwealth supported students who are Australian citizens or holders of a Permanent Humanitarian Visa can choose to pay their contributions upfront or to obtain a HECS-HELP loan from the Commonwealth. A HECS-HELP loan is repaid through the tax system once the student is working and their income reaches a threshold (currently $41,595). Students who choose to pay their student contribution upfront receive a 20 per cent discount. The student’s contribution is calculated twice a year (before each semester).