VSL are offered by the government, and any student taking up this loan creates a debt that continues to be a debt until it is fully repaid to the Commonwealth. Full details regarding VSL can be obtained by reading the VET Student Loan Information booklet issued by the Department of Education and Training or by phoning our office on 03 9876 5199.

The loan is interest free; however the debt amount owing is increased annually according to CPI.  The government applies a one-off 20% charge on the amount borrowed which is added to the loan amount.  

VET Student Loans cover approximately 70% of the tuition fee, and funding will be evenly apportioned over the 8 terms of the course.  The government will issue the exact 2025 VSL loan limit toward the end of 2024.  You can see what this means for you regarding your out-of-pocket payable fees per term by visiting our Fees page.

This loan, until it is repaid, may impact upon the borrower’s future borrowing capacity.  A student may wish to seek independent financial advice before opting-in to the loan scheme.

To be eligible to apply for a VET Student Loan (VSL) the student must:

• be academically suited to undertake the Advanced Diploma in Rudolf Steiner Education program.  The requirements and documents for enrolment are specified in the Seminar’s ‘Enrolment Policy’ available on the Seminar’s Policy webpage.  If you apply for a VSL, you need to provide evidence that you have the reading and numeracy skills to successfully complete your course.
• You must demonstrate competence at, or above, Exit Level 3 (Working Level 4) in the ACSF in both reading and numeracy.  You can demonstrate your reading and numeracy competence in one of the following ways:

1. Supply a copy of your Year 12 Certificate of Education that has been awarded to you by the board of studies of an Australian State or Territory. It does not matter when you completed high school.
2. Supply a copy of an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) diploma; or
3. Supply a copy of your Australian Qualifications Framework Certificate IV or higher qualification (where the language of instruction is English), or at a level in a framework that preceded the AQF that is equivalent to level 4 or above in the AQF or;
4. Complete a bksb skills review and achieve an Exit Level 3 (working in Level 4).

• be enrolled in the Advanced Diploma by the census date
• be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder, or a qualifying New Zealand citizen who meets the long-term residency requirements
• be a resident in Australia for the duration of your study
• not have already exceeded the FEE-HELP limit. You can check your FEE-HELP balance by logging into your myGov account or going to https://myhelpbalance.gov.au/
• have a valid Unique Student Identifier (USI)
• hold a current Australian Tax File number
• have provided the required enrolment documents to the Seminar to enable submission of the loan application form by the first census day.

When you complete the online application to enrol in the Advanced Diploma,  you will be asked to indicate your intention to apply for VET Student Loans. When a study place has been offered to you, the Seminar will notify the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE).  You will then receive an email (eCAF) from them so that you can submit a Request for a VET Student Loan. This is your formal application for a VET Student Loan.  You do not need to contact DESE directly.

You must submit your eCAF on, or before, your first census day. If you do not submit your eCAF on or before the census day, you will not be able to access a VET Student Loan for that term. 

See the Census date information under ‘VET Student Loan Resources’ on the right side of this page.

For information about repaying your loan:

• Study Assist Australia
•  Compulsory repayments
• Voluntary repayments