Cover tuition, textbooks, laptops and living costs with clear, fixed repayments that fit your study plan. Study Without the Stress Finance course fees and essentials with fast decisions and repayments you can plan around. Borrowing Range Typical amounts $3,000 to $50,000+ Fixed Repayments 1 to 7 year terms for certainty Same-day decisions possible for complete applications Secured or Unsecured Choose flexibility or sharper pricing with security Direct-to-Provider Pay universities, TAFE or course providers at settlement Covers Study Essentials Tuition, textbooks, devices, travel and more We match your profile to lenders who fund uni, TAFE and professional courses—quickly and fairly. Apply online in 3 minutes Share your details, course info and budget. No lengthy forms. See matched options Compare secured vs unsecured, terms, fees and comparison rates. Upload documents Provide ID, income evidence and bank statements for assessment. Settle & start studying Funds to you or directly to the education provider for fees. Backed by over 50+ lenders Giving you the best chance of being approved. Ready to get started? Compare education loans from 50+ lenders with one simple application. A quick guide to education loans Education loans help Australians spread the cost of study—covering tuition, textbooks, devices and related living costs—into predictable repayments. They’re commonly used for university, TAFE, professional certificates and short courses, including online programs. You can opt for unsecured loans for speed and flexibility, or secured loans (e.g., using a car) for sharper pricing or higher limits. Compare interest and the comparison rate to understand true cost, and align the term to your study timeline so repayments stay manageable. Want to skip ahead? Jump to the section that best fits what you need. Types of education loans Pick a structure that suits your course timing and budget: Unsecured Personal Loan A personal loan that doesn't require collateral, based on your creditworthiness and ability to repay, offering flexibility for various purposes. No collateral required - no risk to personal assets Quick approval and funding process Flexible use of funds for any purpose Higher interest rates than secured loans Stricter credit requirements Lower maximum loan amounts available People who need flexible funding for any purpose without risking their assets. Ideal for debt consolidation, home improvements, holidays, and old or exotic vehicles. Secured Personal Loan A personal loan secured against an asset offering lower rates than unsecured options. Use the funds for any purpose while benefiting from competitive secured rates. Lower interest rates due to asset security Higher loan amounts available Flexible use of funds for any purpose Longer repayment terms possible Asset serves as security - risk of loss Comprehensive insurance may be required Longer approval process due to security valuation Asset restrictions during loan term Borrowers with valuable assets who want lower rates for debt consolidation, home improvements, or major purchases while keeping costs down. Fixed Rate Personal Loan An unsecured personal loan with fixed interest rate providing predictable monthly payments. Perfect for consolidating debt or funding personal goals. Fixed interest rate provides payment certainty No assets required as security Predictable budgeting with set repayments Quick approval and funding process Higher rates than secured loan options Stricter credit requirements than variable loans Cannot benefit from interest rate decreases Lower maximum amounts than secured loans Borrowers who want payment certainty and protection against rate rises for debt consolidation, home improvements, or planned expenses. Variable Rate Personal Loan An unsecured personal loan with variable interest rates that can fluctuate with market conditions. Potentially benefit from rate decreases on your personal financing. Can benefit from interest rate decreases Often lower initial rates than fixed loans More flexible loan features available No assets required as security Monthly payments can increase with rising rates Uncertainty in budgeting due to rate fluctuations Higher rates than secured loan alternatives Risk of significant payment increases Borrowers comfortable with payment variability who want to benefit from potential rate decreases without putting assets at risk. What can I use an education loan for? Education loans can cover a wide range of study-related costs in Australia: Tuition & Course Fees Pay university, TAFE or private provider fees on time—often with the option to pay the provider directly at settlement. Textbooks & Materials Fund textbooks, software licences, lab fees and other course materials without draining savings at census or exam time.

Devices & Equipment Purchase laptops, tablets, specialist tools or cameras required by your course and bundle them into one repayment. Living Costs While Studying Cover accommodation, transport and childcare during intensive study periods so you can focus on results. Professional Exams & Registrations Finance exam fees, accreditation costs and compulsory memberships for fields like accounting, IT or healthcare. Study Abroad & Intensives Include flights, visas and short-term accommodation for exchange programs or residential intensives. Postgrad made manageable Challenge: Upfront fees for a 12-month graduate diploma plus a new laptop. Solution: Unsecured education loan over 4 years with staged drawdowns. Maya in Brisbane wanted to upskill with a graduate diploma while working part-time. Through Emu Money she compared matched options and chose an unsecured education loan with fixed repayments and staged drawdowns—paying the provider at census dates and funding a new laptop. This kept cash flow steady and aligned repayments with her study schedule. How much can I borrow with an education loan? Typical loan sizes range from $3,000 to $50,000+, depending on course costs, income stability and overall commitments. Secured loans may allow higher limits and sharper pricing; unsecured options prioritise speed and flexibility. Lenders assess recent bank-statement conduct and serviceability to set a suitable maximum so repayments remain manageable throughout your study. Am I eligible for an education loan? Eligibility focuses on affordability, income stability and a clear plan for funds (e.g., offer letter, invoice or course outline). Stronger profiles and secured options can unlock sharper pricing. Clean recent bank-statement conduct improves approval odds. You may be eligible if you are: An Australian resident aged 18+ An Australian resident aged 18+ Employed, self-employed or receiving acceptable income Employed, self-employed or receiving acceptable income Able to demonstrate serviceability via bank statements Able to demonstrate serviceability via bank statements Meeting minimum credit criteria (score/history) Meeting minimum credit criteria (score/history) Borrowing for bona fide study purposes Borrowing for bona fide study purposes How to apply for an education loan? Complete a quick online application and upload documents. We’ll compare offers across secured vs unsecured and coordinate settlement to you or directly to the provider so enrolment isn’t delayed. Documents you may need: Photo ID (driver’s licence or passport) Photo ID (driver’s licence or passport) Recent bank statements (3–6 months) Recent bank statements (3–6 months) Payslips or income evidence (or tax returns if self-employed) Payslips or income evidence (or tax returns if self-employed) Course offer/fees invoice or study plan Course offer/fees invoice or study plan Asset details if offering security Asset details if offering security How to save money on an education loan Compare more than the headline rate—the comparison rate reflects interest plus most fees. Shorter terms cut total interest, while longer terms reduce monthly outgoings; choose the balance that fits your cash flow during study. If your provider bills by term, consider staged drawdowns so you only accrue interest on what you use. Check early-repayment policies so you can pay it off faster without penalty. Example: Term impact — $20,000 at 10.99% p.a. (approx.): 3 years (36 mths) 5 years (60 mths) 7 years (84 mths) Understanding education loan options Structure and features affect flexibility and cost. Here are key options to consider: Secured vs Unsecured Loans Secured loans (often against a car) can allow larger amounts and sharper rates but put the asset at risk if repayments are missed. Unsecured loans are faster and more flexible, usually at higher rates. Fixed vs Variable Rates Fixed rates provide certainty over the whole term. Variable rates can change with the market and may save money if rates fall—but could rise. Direct-to-Provider Payment Some lenders pay tuition invoices directly at settlement. This can secure enrolment quickly and ensure funds are used as intended. Staged Drawdowns For multi-term programs, staged drawdowns let you access funds as invoices arise, reducing interest on unused amounts. Early Repayment Flexibility Look for extra repayments and early payout with low or no penalty so you can clear the balance sooner and save on interest. Rate-for-Risk Pricing Sharper pricing is offered to stronger profiles. Improving bank-statement conduct and reducing other debts before applying can help. Estimate your education loan repayments See what your repayments would look like before you apply. Enter a loan amount, term, and rate to get an instant estimate with a full amortisation schedule. Comparison rate included Full amortisation schedule Instant results, no sign-up Adjustable rates and terms See what our customers have to say about us. Verified Review Verified Review Incredibly seamless experience! Highly recommend Verified Review I had an excellent experience with Emu Money as they managed my car financing process smoothly and quickly. They were extremely professional and proactive, making the entire process stress-free. From start to finish, Emu Money’s team ensured that everything was handled efficiently, keeping me informed along the way. I appreciate their responsiveness and dedication, which made the process seamless. Highly recommend Emu Money for anyone looking for a reliable and professional financial partner! Verified Review Definitely recommend. Leonie from Emu money went above and beyond. Verified Review Brad has been absolutely amazing to work with to help with financing for our business! The process was very simple, well explained and Brad went out of his way to provide updates - highly recommended! Verified Review Brad was amazing to deal with — he went above and beyond in helping us with our funding needs. I highly recommend him to anyone! Frequently Asked Questions Education Loan FAQs These helpful FAQs will help you find the answers you need. If you can't find what you're looking for, you can request a callback below. Not what you're looking for? We can also help you with: