{"id":31948,"date":"2026-08-20T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/?post_type=oasis-news&p=31948"},"modified":"2026-08-17T09:59:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T01:59:27","slug":"money-101-things-you-probably-should-know-about-your-finances-as-a-uni-student","status":"publish","type":"oasis-news","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/oasis-news\/money-101-things-you-probably-should-know-about-your-finances-as-a-uni-student\/","title":{"rendered":"Money 101: Things you probably should know about your finances as a uni student"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Reading time: 2 minutes.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From HECS-HELP to payslips, here’s your beginner-friendly guide to the money terms you’ll probably encounter during university.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting uni comes with a lot of firsts: your first timetable, first group assignment, and for many students, your first real experience managing money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suddenly everyone’s talking about HECS, super, TFNs and student discounts as if you already know what they mean. If you’ve ever nodded along while secretly Googling the term later, you’re not alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a simple rundown of the finance basics worth knowing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HECS-HELP: Your university loan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What it is:<\/strong> A government loan that lets eligible students defer their student contribution fees instead of paying them upfront.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key thing to know:<\/strong> You don’t automatically start repaying it after graduation. Compulsory repayments generally begin once your income reaches the government’s repayment threshold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why it matters:<\/strong> Understanding HECS early helps you make informed decisions about your study and future finances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Super: Money for future you<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What it is:<\/strong> Superannuation is money your employer pays into your retirement savings when you’re eligible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if retirement feels a lifetime away, checking that your employer is paying your super correctly is a good financial habit to build from your first job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of it as:<\/strong> A savings account for your future that’s separate from your regular pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Payslips: More than just your pay<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your payslip isn’t just telling you how much you earned, it also shows where your money is going. A few terms you’ll see include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n