The Commonwealth government subsidises a specified number of Commonwealth-supported places in courses at UWA for students who are Australian or New Zealand citizens or holders of an Australian permanent resident visa.
Commonwealth-supported students are required to make a contribution to the cost of their course. This contribution ensures that the quality of the University's degree programs is maintained at the highest level, and provides support for a range of access and equity initiatives.
For Australian citizens and humanitarian visa holders, the contribution can be deferred through the Australian taxation system through the Federal Government's HECS-HELP loan scheme, or paid directly to the University. Students who are offered a HECS-HELP loan do not need to pay any of their student contribution directly to UWA but may, if they choose, make partial payments.
Partial payments of $500 or more and full upfront payments qualify for a 20 per cent discount.
For New Zealand citizens and other permanent residents of Australia, the contribution must be paid in full, directly to the University. Direct payments do not attract a discount.
How much is the student contribution?
At UWA, courses comprise a number of units. A standard unit is worth six (6) credit points. Full-time students usually study four 6 credit point units in a semester for a total of eight 6 credit point units in a year.
The 2009 student contribution (for commencing students) for a 6 credit point unit ranges from approximately $520 for units in identified national priority areas (education, mathematics & statistics and some natural and physical sciences) up to approximately $1084 for 6 credit point units in law, business, dentistry and medicine. Full details of costs of units is available on the Unit Costs website.
