Can you study a Diploma of Travel & Tourism without paying your course fees upfront? Yes — if you're eligible for FEE-HELP.

Want to study travel and tourism but don't have thousands of dollars ready to pay for your course? If you're eligible, FEE-HELP can allow you to defer 100% of your Flight Centre Travel Academy Diploma of Travel & Tourism tuition fees, so you don't need to pay your tuition fees upfront.

But what exactly is FEE-HELP, who can access it and how does it work when you study with Flight Centre Travel Academy?

Let's break it down.

What is FEE-HELP?

FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan that helps eligible students pay the tuition fees for approved higher education courses.

Instead of paying your eligible tuition fees upfront, the Government pays the amount to your education provider and the amount becomes a HELP debt in your name.

You then repay your HELP debt through the Australian tax system once your income reaches the relevant repayment threshold.

In simple terms:

Study now → build your career → repay your HELP debt later when your income reaches the relevant threshold.

FEE-HELP isn't a scholarship or a discount, and it doesn't mean your course is free. It's a Government loan that allows eligible students to defer their tuition fees.

Why does FEE-HELP exist?

The idea behind the HELP system is to make higher education more accessible by removing the need for eligible students to find the full cost of their tuition before they can study.

For many students, that means you can start working towards your qualification without having to save thousands of dollars first.

But it's important to understand that FEE-HELP is a loan.

FEE-HELP is a loan, not a scholarship or fee waiver. 

The amount deferred becomes a HELP debt that you'll repay under the Australian Government's HELP repayment system.

FEE-HELP vs HECS-HELP: what's the difference?

FEE-HELP and HECS-HELP are both Australian Government HELP loans, but they are used for different types of study. HECS-HELP generally helps eligible students pay their student contribution in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), while FEE-HELP helps eligible students pay tuition fees for approved higher education courses that aren't Commonwealth Supported Places. For eligible Flight Centre Travel Academy Diploma of Travel & Tourism students, FEE-HELP is the relevant HELP loan.

What is a HELP balance? 

Who is eligible for FEE-HELP?

 FEE-HELP isn't automatically available to everyone. You need to meet Australian Government eligibility requirements and be enrolled in an approved course with a provider approved to offer FEE-HELP. 

FEE-HELP eligibility requirements

These can include requirements relating to:

• your citizenship or residency status
• the course and education provider you're enrolled with
• your available HELP balance
• your Tax File Number
• your Unique Student Identifier (USI)
• your enrolment and study requirements
• completing the required Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) by the relevant census date.

Your individual circumstances determine whether you're eligible.

Are Australian citizens eligible?

Australian citizens who meet the relevant Government requirements may be eligible for FEE-HELP.

Are New Zealand citizens eligible?

Some New Zealand citizens may also be eligible, depending on their residency and other circumstances.

Because eligibility rules can change and individual circumstances vary, it's important to check the current Australian Government requirements before enrolling.

Not sure if you're eligible? Our Enrolments Team can help you understand what you need to do, while StudyAssist provides the latest Government information.

How does FEE-HELP work with the Flight Centre Travel Academy Diploma?

This is where FEE-HELP can make studying travel and tourism much more accessible.

The Flight Centre Travel Academy Diploma of Travel & Tourism is delivered in partnership with Torrens University Australia.

For eligible students, 100% of the Diploma's tuition fees can be deferred through FEE-HELP, subject to your available HELP balance and the applicable Government requirements.

What does "100% FEE-HELP" mean?

It means you don't need to pay your eligible tuition fees upfront.

The current Diploma tuition fee is $19,360, based on eight subjects at $2,420 per subject (2026 fees).

If you're eligible for FEE-HELP and have sufficient available HELP balance, you may be able to defer the full tuition cost through FEE-HELP - you don't need to have thousands of dollars sitting in your bank account before you start.

Do you have to pay your course fees upfront?

Eligible students using FEE-HELP don't need to pay their eligible tuition fees upfront, provided they meet the requirements and submit their FEE-HELP eCAF by the relevant census date.

That means $0 upfront (if you're eligible).

What does FEE-HELP cover?

Covered: Eligible Tuition Fees
For eligible FCTA students, FEE-HELP can cover the full tuition cost of the Diploma.

Not covered: Not every cost associated with studying is covered. You may still need to pay for things such as:

• a laptop or computer
• textbooks or other learning resources
• internet access
• travel
• accommodation
• other personal expenses.

Think of FEE-HELP as helping with your tuition fees, rather than being a payment for everything involved in being a student.

What is it like to study the Diploma?

Using FEE-HELP is only one part of the decision to study. You also want a course that works around your life. The Flight Centre Travel Academy Diploma of Travel & Tourism is designed for people who want the flexibility to study while working, travelling or managing other commitments.

Study online

The Diploma is delivered 100% online, with live and recorded learning.

Study in manageable blocks

Subjects are delivered in nine-week blocks, followed by three-week breaks.

You'll generally study one or two subjects at a time, rather than having eight subjects running simultaneously.

No traditional exams

Assessment takes place throughout your subjects, with assessment periods during the blocks rather than traditional end-of-course exams.

Build industry knowledge

The Diploma is designed around the travel and tourism industry, with subjects covering areas such as travel consulting, sales, systems and destinations.

You can also choose electives that align with the areas of travel and tourism you're most interested in.

So, rather than simply studying for a qualification, you're building knowledge and skills that can help you take your next step into the industry.

Find out more about the Diploma of Travel and Tourism →

Applying for FEE-HELP is a straightforward process, but there are a few important steps to complete. You first apply for the Diploma of Travel & Tourism, then, once you've accepted your offer and are ready to enrol, you'll complete your FEE-HELP application to defer your eligible tuition fees. 

Step 1: Apply for the Diploma

Start by applying for the Flight Centre Travel Academy Diploma of Travel & Tourism.

You'll need to meet the course entry requirements and complete the enrolment process. If you're eligible to study the Diploma, you'll receive an offer to enrol.

Start your application →

Step 2: Receive your offer

Once you've received and accepted your offer, you'll complete your enrolment with the provider.

 This is when you'll confirm how you want to pay your tuition fees. If you're eligible for FEE-HELP and want to defer your eligible tuition fees, you'll select FEE-HELP as your payment option. 

Step 3: Complete your FEE-HELP eCAF

Your provider will give you access to your FEE-HELP Electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF), usually through your student portal or via a link provided to you.

 The eCAF is the form you complete to request FEE-HELP assistance from the Australian Government. You'll need your Tax File Number (TFN) and Unique Student Identifier (USI), along with your personal details.

Before submitting your eCAF, make sure you read the relevant FEE-HELP information and understand that FEE-HELP is a government loan that you'll repay through the Australian tax system when you meet the repayment requirements.

Step 4:  Submit it by the census date

Your FEE-HELP eCAF must be submitted on or before the census date for your study period.

The census date is a legal deadline. If you don't submit your eCAF by the census date, you won't be able to access FEE-HELP for that study period and may need to pay your tuition fees upfront. Census dates are set by education providers and can vary, so make sure you check the dates that apply to your course.

The simple version:

Apply for the Diploma → Accept your offer → Complete your FEE-HELP eCAF → Submit it by the census date → Your eligible tuition fees can be deferred through FEE-HELP.

Remember, FEE-HELP is subject to eligibility requirements and your available HELP balance.

When do you pay FEE-HELP back?

You don't generally start making compulsory repayments just because you've taken out a FEE-HELP loan.

Your HELP debt is generally repaid through the Australian tax system once your income reaches the applicable Government repayment threshold.

This means your repayments are linked to your income rather than being a standard monthly loan repayment.

For example, you could finish your Diploma, start working in travel and only begin making compulsory HELP repayments once your income reaches the relevant threshold.

The Australian Government sets the repayment thresholds and rates, and these can change over time.

Is FEE-HELP interest-free?

FEE-HELP doesn't work like a traditional bank loan with an interest rate.

However, HELP debts are subject to indexation and other Government rules, which can affect the amount you owe over time.

It's important to check the current StudyAssist information so you understand how your HELP debt works.

What is a census date?

The census date is an important date in your study period.

It's generally the deadline by which you need to finalise your FEE-HELP arrangements, including submitting your required eCAF.

It is also generally the date by which you can withdraw from a unit without incurring the tuition fee debt for that study period, subject to the applicable rules.

Your education provider will give you the relevant census dates and explain what you need to do.

Don't leave your FEE-HELP application until the last minute.

Ready to start your travel career?

You don't necessarily need to wait until you've saved thousands of dollars before you can study.

If you're eligible for FEE-HELP, you can defer 100% of your Flight Centre Travel Academy Diploma of Travel & Tourism tuition fees and repay your HELP debt later through the Australian Government's income-based repayment system.

Study online. Build your industry knowledge. Get qualified. Start exploring where a career in travel and tourism could take you.

Your future in travel could start sooner than you think.

Explore the Diploma of Travel & Tourism →

Important: FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan, not a scholarship or fee waiver. Eligibility criteria, available HELP balance, course fees, census dates, repayment thresholds, indexation and other Government rules apply and may change. FEE-HELP applies to eligible tuition fees and does not cover all costs associated with studying. Always check the latest Australian Government StudyAssist information and current Flight Centre Travel Academy course information before enrolling.