HECS-HELP
3. How we calculate your student contributions
Step 1: We add up your Equivalent Full-time Study Load (EFTSL)
Each UQ course is rated in terms of 'units' that reflect the effort required to complete the course. Most courses have a value of 2 units (#2).
However, the Australian Government assesses course study loads using a different measure – the Equivalent Full-time Student Load (EFTSL).
One UQ course with a value of 2 units (#2) equals an EFTSL of 0.1250.
Hence, if you complete 8 UQ courses with a value of 2 units (#2) in one academic, your equivalent EFTSL is 1.0.
EFTSL is one of the components used to calculate your student fees.
| UQ units | Courses | EFTSL equivalent value |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 0.0625 | |
| #2 | 1 course | 0.1250 |
| #3 | 0.1875 | |
| #4 | 2 courses | 0.2500 |
| #5 | 0.3125 | |
| #6 | 3 courses | 0.3750 |
| #7 | 0.4375 | |
| #8 | 4 courses | 0.5000 |
| #9 | 0.5625 | |
| #10 | 5 courses | 0.6250 |
| #11 | 0.6875 | |
| #12 | 6 courses | 0.7500 |
| #13 | 0.8125 | |
| #14 | 7 course | 0.8750 |
| #15 | 0.9375 | |
| #16 | 8 courses (one year of standard full-time study) | 1.000 |
Step 2: We look at your course banding
If you’re enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Australian Government pays some of your course fees, and you pay the rest – your ‘student contribution’.
To calculate your student contribution, the Australian Government groups academic courses into ‘bands’ each year and sets the maximum amount a public university can charge for one year of full-time study (an EFTSL of 1.0) for each band.
Public universities then set the amount they will charge for courses within each band, which can be lower than but may not exceed the maximum amount set by the government.
Your student contributions are based on individual courses, not entire programs. You are charged at the rate for each course you study.
For new students commencing at UQ in 2025
The course bandings are as follows:
| Student contribution band | 2025 Student contribution amount per EFTSL |
|---|---|
| Band 4: Law, accounting, administration, economics, commerce, communications, society and culture | $16,992 |
| Band 3: Dentistry, medicine, veterinary science | $13,241 |
| Band 2: Engineering, surveying, environmental studies, science, pathology, allied health, other health, built environment, computing, visual and performing arts, professional pathway psychology, professional pathway social work | $9,314 |
| Band 1: Agriculture, English, mathematics, education, clinical psychology, Indigenous and foreign languages, nursing, statistics | $4,627 |
For continuing students who commenced their current program
at UQ before 1 January 2021
Your annual student contributions by band are as follows:
| Student contribution band | 2025 student contribution amount (per EFTSL) for pre-2021 students |
|---|---|
| Band G3: Law, accounting, administration, economics or commerce | $13,305 |
| Band 3: Dentistry, medicine or veterinary science | $13,241 |
| Band 2: Allied health, other health, built environment, computing, engineering, surveying, environmental studies, science or pathology | $9,314 |
| Band G1: Communications, society and culture, visual and performing arts, professional pathway psychology or professional pathway social work | $7,973 |
| Band 1: Agriculture, nursing, Indigenous language or foreign languages, education, postgraduate clinical psychology, English, mathematics or statistics | $4,627 |
Step 3: We multiply your EFTSL by your course banding in the year you commenced
The amount you are charged depends on:
- the EFTSL value of the course
- the course banding
- the year you commenced your program.
Contact
If you have any questions about fees or payments, contact a Student Administration or submit a question to UQ Answers.