Fees Free covers fees for the final year of tertiary study or final 2 years of work-based learning. In most cases you can only get Fees Free if you are starting study or work-based learning for the 1st time.
When you enrol for your study or work-based learning, you will need to pay your fees.
You can apply for Fees Free from 15 January 2026, after you have completed your qualification or programme.
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New to Fees Free
Fees Free covers fees for the final year of tertiary study or final 2 years of work-based learning. To get Fees Free, you must start your final year on or after 1 January 2025.
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Eligibility for Fees Free
You may be able to get Fees Free if you meet the qualification or programme and residency requirements. Even if you meet these, you may not be able to get Fees Free if you have already studied or done work-based learning, or got a payment in the past.
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Applying for Fees Free
From 15 January 2026, you can apply for Fees Free when you have completed your 1st eligible qualification or programme. To do this you must have a myIR account.
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Fees Free and your student loan
If you have a student loan, your Fees Free entitlement will be transferred to your student loan balance. This will happen even if you did not use the student loan to pay the fees for your final year of study, or final 2 years of work-based learning.
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Fees Free reviews
If you disagree with your Fees Free outcome you can ask us to review it.
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Fees Free for employers
You need to understand your tax obligations if your employee reimburses you using their Fees Free payment.