Can I get a loan for a course?
Yes. Education loans are usually unsecured personal loans, so you don’t need to put up an asset, and the money can go towards almost any genuine course or training cost. Lenders mainly want to see that repayments fit your budget while you study.
Course finance suits people who know where they’re headed and don’t want to wait. A few examples:
- The office worker going digital. A part-time UX bootcamp paid upfront, plus a laptop that can run the software.
- The carpenter going out on their own. A builder’s licence course and registration fees — the step before quoting jobs under their own name.
- The warehouse supervisor moving up. A heavy rigid truck licence that opens the door to driving roles.
If the plan is to launch a business once you’re qualified, our start-up business loans page covers what comes next.
Is a personal loan better than VET Student Loans or HECS?
Not always — check government help first. HECS-HELP covers eligible university places, and VET Student Loans help eligible students pay tuition for approved diploma-level and above VET courses. If your course qualifies, start there.
The gaps are where a personal loan for education earns its keep. Short courses, many private courses and study costs sit outside those schemes.
| HECS-HELP | VET Student Loans | Personal loan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | Eligible university places | Approved diploma-level and above VET courses | Almost any course, ticket or licence |
| Short courses and bootcamps | Generally not covered | Generally not covered | Yes |
| Laptop, tools and travel | Not covered | Not covered | Yes |
| Who decides if you qualify | Government rules | Government rules | The lender, based on your finances |
What courses can I finance with education loans?
Most legitimate, paid training can be financed, as long as there’s a clear cost on a quote or invoice.
- Trade tickets and licences: builder’s licence courses, high-risk work tickets and truck licence upgrades.
- Tech and creative: coding, cyber security, UX, digital marketing and design bootcamps.
- Professional certifications: project management, bookkeeping, fitness and coaching qualifications.
- Aviation and drones: flight training hours, or a remote pilot licence for commercial drone work.
- Private college fees: courses outside the government loan schemes, paid upfront or by term.
- Study overseas: tuition, flights and set-up costs for a course or semester abroad.
Can I finance a trade course or licence?
Yes, and it’s one of the clearest cases for course finance. A licence can be the difference between working for someone else and quoting your own jobs.
Trade training often comes with costs beyond the course itself. Add up the whole picture before you borrow:
- Course and assessment fees
- Licence application and registration fees
- Tools, PPE and safety gear
- Travel and accommodation for practical assessments
How does course finance work with Loan Finder Store?
- 1
Tell us about the course
Share the provider, the cost and any extras like tools or a laptop. Our form takes about 2 minutes to fill in.
- 2
We search the panel
Our team checks 60+ lenders and funders for options that suit your income and study plans.
- 3
You choose, then apply
We explain the option we’ve found in plain English. A credit check happens only if you decide to apply, and we’ll tell you first.
- 4
Enrol and get started
Once approved, many lenders settle quickly — sometimes within 24 hours, depending on the lender — so you can lock in your spot.
Want the basics on terms and fixed repayments first? Our personal loans guide walks through how they work.
What you’ll need
- Course name, provider and a fee quote or invoice
- Costs for extras like tools, a laptop or travel
- Photo ID such as a driver licence or passport
- Recent payslips or other proof of income
- Recent bank statements
- Details of existing debts and credit cards
- If you’re self-employed, your ABN and latest tax return
Who it usually suits
- Aged 18 or over
- Australian citizen or permanent resident, for most lenders
- Regular income from work, a business or another reliable source
- Repayments that still fit if you cut back hours to study
- A credit history lenders can assess — less-than-perfect credit is looked at case by case
