Hong Life Calculators2026 maximum student contribution amounts (per EFTSL)
| Field | Funding cluster | 2026 maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture | 1 | $17,399 |
| Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics or Statistics | 2 | $4,738 |
| Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual and Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology / Social Work | 2 | $9,537 |
| Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages | 3 | $4,738 |
| Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science | 3 | $9,537 |
| Agriculture | 4 | $4,738 |
| Pathology | 4 | $9,537 |
| Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science | 4 | $13,558 |
| FEE-FREE Uni Ready course (all fields) | 5 | $0 |
Students who started before 1 January 2021 (grandfathered)
Continuing students who began their course before 2021 pay lower rates in some fields in 2026: Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics or Commerce $13,624; other Society and Culture, Communications, Visual and Performing Arts and Professional Pathway Psychology / Social Work $8,164. Other fields are the same as above.
How it is calculated
- Each unit you study is in a funding cluster with a maximum student contribution per EFTSL (one full-time year).
- Your cost for a unit = rate × the unit’s EFTSL value. A full-time year is 1.0 EFTSL.
- Add up all years. Example: a 3-year commerce degree = $17,399 × 3 = $52,197 at 2026 rates.
FAQ
How much does a law degree cost in Australia in 2026?
For a Commonwealth supported place, up to $17,399 per full-time year in 2026, so about $52,000 for three years or $69,600 for four, before yearly indexation.
Why is nursing cheaper than science?
The government sets lower student contributions for some fields (cluster 2 and 3 “national priority” areas such as nursing, teaching, English and maths: $4,738) and pays more of the cost itself.
Do I have to pay this upfront?
No. Eligible students can defer the whole amount with a HECS-HELP loan and repay it through the tax system once their repayment income passes the threshold.
Sources (checked 10 November 2026): Department of Education “2026 Indexed rates” (maximum student contribution amounts, standard and grandfathered); ATO “Study and training loan repayment thresholds and rates” (2026-27 threshold). Estimate, not an official fee notice.