Hello,
Don't panic dear, I am sure you can work this out it is just an annoying administrative bump in the road, not one that will change your journey 🙂
Am I to understand that you cannot qualify for HELP (the govt loan scheme for tertiary fees), and you are trying to pay your fees as you go? If you are not sure if you qualify, I would certainly recommend you check (most Australian citizens do qualify but it depends on the course you are studying). Normally the university issues an invoice once it gets to census date, and then if you have filled in the correct applications for HELP the charges will be sent to your HELP debt and you do not have to pay anything upfront. The government loan scheme allows you to essentially study for free now, but you have to start making payments once you earn over the threshold (around 50K / year from memory. You just complete the forms online when you are taking care of your enrolment at the university. If you are a full time student and receive austudy, you may also be eligible to borrow additional funds of approx $1000 per semester if you need to cover other costs through Centrelink (student start-up loan) which can be added to your HELP debt. This may be useful for costs such as such as a computer or books or extra curricular activities. To take advantage of this option you apply through the Centrelink website.
Speak to someone at your university that can talk you through the payment options, as it can be confusing system to navigate for the first time. I know that sometimes you can get unhelpful people, but there are usually equal numbers of nice people who will do what they can to help, so persist if at first you do not understand your options.
Do not take the threats personally that are contained in the letters to make you pay up (withholding grades etc.), they would just be automated letters made to frighten people into immediate payment! If you find so way to pay in time, the grades would not be held up forever anyway, only until the fees are settled.
