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Former VET FEE-HELP (VFH) Scheme
The VET FEE-HELP (VFH) Scheme was an Australian Government loan program that operated between 2008 and 2016. Existing VFH students could continue to access the scheme until 31 December 2018.
In 2017, VFH was replaced by the VET Student Loans program.
Viewing your VFH debt
You can check your VFH debt using the myHELPbalance portal. To access myHELPbalance, sign in using your Digital ID (myID). If you don’t have Digital ID, you can follow the instructions at How to set up myID | myID. The first time you sign in, you will need to link your student record using your Unique Student Identifier (USI) or Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN) and your student ID.
You can also view your HELP debt balance through the ATO via myGov. Please note that balances shown in myHELPbalance and myGov may differ due to indexation, repayments and reporting timeframes.
Repaying your VFH loans
Loan repayments are made through the ATO. Information about loan repayments and the compulsory repayment threshold can be found at Loan repayment – Study Assist, Australian Government.
Advice on how to view your ATO loan account can be found at View your loan account online | Australian Taxation Office.
VFH debt disputes
Contact your training provider
If you have a concern about your VFH study or debt, you should first discuss your concerns with your training provider, if they are still operating.
To find out if your training provider is still operating:
- go to the National Training Register
- use the “Search” function, select “Registered training organisations”, and type in the name of the training provider as it appears on your myHELPbalance account
- if the provider is listed with Status as “Current” (in green writing), then it is still operating
- you can access the providers website by selecting their ‘Web Address’.
If you still are not sure who your provider is, or if they are still operating, please contact the department using the online enquiry form: Student Enquiries - Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Australian Government
Contact the Department
There are circumstances under which the Department can re-credit your VFH loan debt.
- Special circumstances
- Unacceptable conduct
- Tuition Assurance
You can start the re-credit process using the online enquiry form at Student Enquiries.
Special Circumstance loan re-credit
If something happened that was beyond your control (such as serious illness) that meant you were unable to continue your studies, you may be able to apply for a ‘special circumstance’ loan re-credit. Applications must be made to your provider if they are still operating. The department may be able to consider your application if your provider is unable to act or they are closed. You must provide evidence to show why you were unable to apply within 12 months of your study.
Unacceptable Conduct loan re-credit
You may be able to apply for re-credit if your provider engaged in unacceptable conduct after 1 January 2016.
Unacceptable conduct includes such things as harassment or conduct that is misleading or deceptive.
You must provide evidence to show why you were unable to apply within 3 years of your study.
Tuition Assurance loan re-credit
If you were unable to complete your studies because your provider closed, and you were not assisted to find another training provider to complete your studies, you may be able to apply for a Tuition Assurance loan re-credit. To consider your application, you must have been actively studying (or formally deferred) at the time your provider closed.
Waiver of debt
If you have ongoing concerns with your VFH debt that you have been unable to resolve, you have the option to lodge a waiver of debt with the Department of Finance. Further information on this process is available at Waiver of Debt on the Department of Finance website.
Contact the VET Student Loans Ombudsman (VSLO)
If you are unable to resolve your concern, you can contact the VSLO.