The Australian University International Directors Forum (AUIDF) conducts an annual study of learning abroad in Australia. In 2019, they reported that Australian students took over 58,000 learning abroad experiences.
That’s a lot of students travelling… so who funds this?
In 2019;
- The AUDIF reports Universities delivered over $33.1m in grants and scholarships;
- The Australian Government awarded grants and scholarships in excess of $36.2m; and
- $1.9m in philanthropic funding and other NGO support was provided.
Before we get excited, that’s around $1,200 per experience.
It all helps! But with the sector rebounding, let’s review the jewel in the crown, OS-HELP—the government loan program for Australian students to assist in educational travel.
In 2013, $38.9m OS-HELP was lent to 6,665 students. Fast forward to 2019, and more than $101.1m was accessed by over 16,660 students.
In that pre-covid year, more than 1 in 3 Australian students who studied overseas had support from OS-HELP.
Now in 2023, with learning abroad taking off once more, let’s jump through a quick fact check of the OS-HELP program through StudyAssist;
- Available to all Commonwealth Support Place (CSP) students, permanent humanitarian visa holders, and NZ special visa holders (SCV) who meet residency requirements;
- Students must be enrolled at an Australian institution and receive academic credit for overseas study;
- Capped at $7,348 for study outside of Asia; and $8,817 for study in Asia, with an extra $1,172 for Asian language study in preparation for study in Asia; and
- Students submit paperwork and apply through their institution, which administers the loan on behalf of the Government.
With students able to access two loans during a degree program, it can provide up to $19,978 for study in Asia and language preparation.
Since its inception, the Commonwealth budget allocation cap has never been reached, so the funds are there. It’s an exceptional low-cost loan, well administered by Australian universities, widely accessible to many Australian students, and then effectively rolled into the HELP structure through which students repay other fees such as HECS via the taxation system.
So, kudos to those 16,600 students adding it to their debt and self-funding this career-defining experience. These are students with skin in the game, investing in their own and Australia’s future.
Now a shout-out to Australian universities. Make sure OS-HELP is advertised regularly, widely and loudly. It’s a key enabler of the critical education experience that puts exemplary young Australians out into the world.
For more information, see OS-HELP and contact your International or Global Engagement Office.
Note: Thank you to the AUIDF executive for their kind provision of study data and national learning abroad report
