It's worth checking out more thoroughly because I'm pretty sure the non-HECS/HELP funded places cost a LOT more than the HECS/HELP ones do.

Even if you do the HECS fee, you can opt to make payments throughout your course if you want to reduce the final debt amount. There is normally a discount for voluntary payments or payments made up front. Doing it this way would still be cheaper than paying for a non HECS place.