Remission of debt
If you withdraw from a unit or course after census date, you might be eligible for remission of debt.
If you withdraw from a unit/s after the relevant census date and there are special circumstances, you can apply to have your:
- HECS-HELP (but not SA-HELP) debt for those units remitted (cancelled)
- FEE-HELP balance for those units re-credited
- upfront payment of a student contribution or tuition fee refunded.
You can’t apply if you have successfully finished the unit, are still enrolled, have been found guilty of academic misconduct or we provided you with advice to withdraw before census and you chose to remain enrolled. If you’re waiting on a misconduct hearing, you’ll need to wait for the outcome before applying.
How to apply for remission of debt
To apply for remission of debt, your special circumstance must be unusual, uncommon or abnormal for you and beyond your control. It must also have occurred or changed/worsened after the census date to such an extent that you were unable to continue studying.
Acceptable special circumstances include:
- medical reasons
- family or personal reasons (such as death or severe medical problems, or an unforeseen natural disaster)
- employment-related reasons (such as unplanned changes to your employment conditions or your employer increasing your hours or expectations)
Circumstances related to the delivery of your course are not eligible for remission of debt. You can make a complaint instead.
Medical reasons
You must provide a letter from a healthcare professional who saw you during the relevant study period that:
- includes the date of appointments attended during the study period
- confirms the date your circumstances first occurred or escalated
- confirms the dates/length of time you were impacted
- confirms the impact on your studies
- is signed by the author
- includes contact details and official letterhead.
Family or personal reasons
You must provide documents from independent sources who can confirm your circumstance (such as a death certificate or carer certificate). These must:
- include dates your circumstances first occurred or escalated and state the length of time you were impacted
- be relevant to the study period, census date and/or end of unit assessment and exam period
- detail the special circumstance/s that occurred
- explain how your ability to complete your studies was impacted
- be signed by the author
- include an official letterhead.
Employment-related reasons
You must provide a letter from your employer that includes:
- the date your employment conditions were changed
- the length of time the changes were in place for
- what changes were made
- that these changes were made by your employer
- how your ability to complete your studies was impacted.
- the author's signature
- contact details and an official letterhead.
Extra documents
These types of documents aren't accepted on their own but may be included with the documents listed above:
- statutory declarations
- travel itineraries
- hospital admission statements
- pathology reports
- special consideration medical forms
- correspondence with Federation staff.
Once we get your application, we’ll review it and let you know the outcome within 20 business days. If have questions about the process, submit an enquiry.
Current international students
Complete the Remission of Debt form (PDF 231 KB) and email your form and supporting documents to internationalcompliance@federation.edu.au.
Current domestic students
Complete the Remission of debt form for current students and Federation online students. You'll need to sign in with your Federation details.
Past students
Complete the Remission of debt form for past students within 12 months of your study period ending or the date you withdrew. You won't need to sign in.
Overseas partner students
Complete the Remission of Debt form (PDF 231 KB) then provide your form and supporting documents to your partner institute’s admin office.