VET student loans are approved by the Secretary for eligible students for approved courses.

VET student loans are used by the Secretary to pay tuition fees for students.

If the Secretary uses a loan amount to pay tuition fees, the student incurs a HELP debt. HELP debts are managed under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 .

In certain circumstances the course provider, instead of the student, must repay a loan amount. This includes circumstances in which the student's FEE-HELP balance may be re-credited.

For a course to be an approved course, the course provider must have been approved by the Secretary. The Secretary is able to take action to ensure that approved course providers are complying with this Act.

Part 5 sets out requirements to be met by approved course providers, and includes civil penalty and offence provisions.

Certain decisions relating to VET student loans and the approval of course providers are reviewable.

The Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014 applies for the purposes of this Act.

The use and disclosure of information is regulated.

Rules can be made under this Act.