VET Student Loans Policy

This policy explains how TalentMed administers VET Student Loans (VSL). It covers which course is VSL-approved, who is eligible, how to apply, census dates, fees, and your obligations under the loan. It applies to every student considering or using VSL with TalentMed.

Of our current training products, only HLT57715 Diploma of Practice Management is approved for VET Student Loans. VSL is not available for HLT50321 Diploma of Clinical Coding, 11288NAT Diploma of Healthcare Documentation, BSB50920 Diploma of Quality Auditing, or BSBMED301.

If you are enrolling in a non-VSL course, flexible payment plans and (for some employers) employer-funded study are the practical options. See the Fees and Charges Policy.

A VET Student Loan is a real debt to the Australian Government. Key points:

• The loan covers tuition fees only, up to government-set course caps, indexed annually.
• A 20% loan fee is added to every amount you borrow (except where an exemption applies under the VSL Act).
• You begin repaying through the tax system once your income reaches the compulsory repayment threshold. Repayments are income-contingent (a percentage of income above the threshold).
• The debt is indexed annually in line with movements in the Consumer Price Index or Wage Price Index, whichever is lower (per current legislation).
• The debt can affect your future borrowing capacity (for example, when applying for a home loan).
• It is a real financial commitment. We recommend you seek independent financial advice before you take one on.

To access a VSL you must meet all of the following:

• Citizenship or residency: Australian citizen, or qualifying permanent humanitarian visa holder, or eligible New Zealand Special Category Visa holder (as defined by the VSL Act).
• Age: at least 15 years old (students under 18 require parental consent unless assessed as independent).
• Tax File Number: provide a valid TFN before the first census date.
• USI: hold a Unique Student Identifier.
• Academic suitability: pass our academic suitability assessment (see below).
• HELP balance: have capacity remaining under your lifetime HELP loan limit (for 2025, $118,698 or the higher indexed figure for medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science). The current figure is confirmed at the StudyAssist website.
• Genuine student: be genuinely engaged with a view to completion.

Before we confirm VSL enrolment, we assess whether the course is academically suitable for you. This is a VSL Act requirement. It considers English language proficiency, educational background, readiness for diploma-level study, and any support needs. Full detail in the VSL Academic Suitability Policy.

1. Enquire and enrol. Contact us at enrol@talentmed.edu.au. We provide the VSL Information Booklet, the course information, and the fees and refunds detail.
2. Academic suitability assessment. Complete the required assessments and submit evidence of your educational background.
3. Read the information. Work through the VSL Information Booklet, which explains your obligations and the nature of the debt.
4. Complete the eCAF. Submit your Electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form between the date of your enrolment and 11:59pm AEST on the first census date.
5. Provide your TFN. Required before the first census date.
6. Confirm enrolment. Upon successful submission, you are enrolled with VSL.

HLT57715 is delivered across three units of study. Each unit has its own fee period and census date.

A 20% loan fee is added to each amount charged to the loan, unless a VSL Act exemption applies.

The days above are sample days based on a standard commencement. Your Statement of Covered Tuition Fees will show the exact dates for your enrolment.

• Statement of Covered Tuition Fees. Before your first census date, showing the units, census dates, and loan amounts for your enrolment.
• Fee Notice. At least 14 days before each census date, with a reminder of the census date, amount, and withdrawal information.
• Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN). Within 14 days after each census date, confirming the loan amount charged.

You can review your VSL debt at any time through myGov, which connects to the ATO.

You can withdraw from a unit of study before its census date without incurring any VSL debt for that unit. Submit a withdrawal request in writing to enrol@talentmed.edu.au. We will send you a written confirmation of the withdrawal, including:

• The date and time of the withdrawal
• The units you have withdrawn from
• The census dates relevant to those units
• Confirmation of any debt incurred or avoided

If you withdraw after a census date, you are liable for the loan amount for that unit. In specific circumstances (special circumstances, TalentMed default, or unacceptable conduct by TalentMed or its agents), you can apply to have the loan amount re-credited. Full process in the VSL Re-crediting Policy.

The VSL Act requires ongoing evidence that you are a genuine student. We monitor engagement with the course and ask you to complete progression forms at set intervals. Where engagement is insufficient, we may be required to suspend or cancel your VSL enrolment. Detail in the VSL Student Progression Policy.

All VSL fees are managed separately from fee-for-service arrangements. The process for setting fees, adjusting them for credit transfer or RPL, and reporting to DEWR is set out in the VSL Fee Management Policy.

Under the VSL Act, TalentMed does not:

• Cold-call prospective students with information that mentions the availability of VSL
• Use third-party lead lists to market courses that mention VSL
• Use social media to market courses on the basis that VSL may be available
• Misrepresent that VSL is not a loan or does not have to be repaid

Every marketing piece for a VSL-eligible course clearly states that VSL is a loan with a loan fee, to be repaid via the tax system.

As part of VSL administration we collect additional information (including TFN) and disclose to DEWR, the ATO, NCVER, and the VET Student Loans Ombudsman where a dispute arises. Full detail in the Privacy Policy.

Use our Complaints and Appeals Policy for any VSL-related concern. Students dissatisfied with our internal process can escalate to the VET Student Loans Ombudsman on 1800 015 314, which provides independent review at no cost.

• VSL Academic Suitability Policy
• VSL Fee Management Policy
• VSL Re-crediting Policy
• VSL Student Progression Policy
• Fees and Charges Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Complaints and Appeals Policy
• Student Handbook

View the complete list of policies that apply to your enrolment.

VSL enquiries: enrol@talentmed.edu.au or 1300 737 781

VET Student Loans Ombudsman: 1800 015 314

This policy is reviewed annually and whenever changes to the VSL Act, VSL Rules, or our course approvals require it.

TalentMed Pty Ltd · RTO 22151 · ABN 29 125 458 808

The specific policies referenced throughout are the authoritative source.

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