HECS relief but universities, students still waiting for answers as budget reality dampens promise of historic 'accord'
7 months, 1 week ago

HECS relief but universities, students still waiting for answers as budget reality dampens promise of historic 'accord'

ABC  

In short: $1.1 billion will be spent over five years on initiatives such as HECS relief, addressing "poverty placement" and better access to courses. $1.1 billion will be spent over five years on initiatives such as HECS relief, addressing "poverty placement" and better access to courses. Loading It’s also promising a "needs based" funding system from January 2026, to boost numbers of students from First Nations families, low SES backgrounds, with disabilities and from the regions. Now we see that stage one consists of modest HECS relief, limited "placement poverty" funding and courses to help students get into university.

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History of this topic

HECS indexation to be overhauled in budget with $3 billion in student debt 'wiped out'
7 months, 2 weeks ago

HECS indexation to be overhauled in budget with $3 billion in student debt 'wiped out'

ABC  

In short : Student debts will be lowered for more than three million Australians under reforms designed to stop HECS loans growing faster than wages. Loan indexation will now match whichever is lower out of the Consumer Price Index or the Wage Price Index — which the government says will prevent another shock increase like last year's 7.1 per cent …

Once considered a good 'social policy', students say HECS loans are a burden on an entire generation
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Once considered a good 'social policy', students say HECS loans are a burden on an entire generation

ABC  

When these eleven university students finally don their graduation gowns, they will collectively owe more than $750,000 in tertiary loans. The country collects more in HECS repayments annually than it does in tax from oil and gas, and experts say hiking those taxes could pay down the HECS debt within three years. "It is obscene successive governments say they want …

Education minister open to changes on how indexation applies to HECS-HELP debt
1 year, 6 months ago

Education minister open to changes on how indexation applies to HECS-HELP debt

ABC  

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare has left the door open for changes to how HECS-HELP debts are paid back, including how indexation is applied to the original debt. Key points: The education minister says he is open to changing how HECS debts are indexed Indexation of 7.1 per cent has added $1,775 to the average $25,000 HECS-HELP debt Under the …

As June 1 indexing approaches, Australian university graduates are bracing for increased HECS/HELP debts
1 year, 7 months ago

As June 1 indexing approaches, Australian university graduates are bracing for increased HECS/HELP debts

ABC  

Time is running out for 3 million Australian university graduates to slash their student debts before the federal government's multi-billion-dollar indexing bonanza, the National Union of Students says. While HECS/HELP is essentially an "interest-free" loan, the union said the high inflation environment has caused indexation to spike to one of the highest levels in decades and it has shocked students …

Freezing HECS-HELP indexation won't put more money in your pocket in the short term
1 year, 8 months ago

Freezing HECS-HELP indexation won't put more money in your pocket in the short term

ABC  

The architect of the HECS-HELP system says misinformation is creating anxiety in the community about the effect of inflation on student debt. Key points: Abolishing indexation on HECS-HELP debts would not put more money in the pockets of people with student debt Removing indexation altogether would mean all taxpayers bore the cost of inflation Making university degrees free would reduce …

Students and graduates could pay thousands more as HECS and HELP indexation goes ahead
1 year, 8 months ago

Students and graduates could pay thousands more as HECS and HELP indexation goes ahead

ABC  

Students and graduates could see their student loans increase by thousands of dollars, after a Senate inquiry rejected a proposal to freeze indexation on the debts. Key points: Around 3 million Australians have a HECS-HELP debt Some students and graduates could see their overall debt increase due to indexation A Senate inquiry into pausing student debt found the proposal could …

Growing calls for student HECS-HELP loan indexation to be abolished as inflation sends debts soaring
1 year, 8 months ago

Growing calls for student HECS-HELP loan indexation to be abolished as inflation sends debts soaring

ABC  

Brisbane wealth adviser Alanna Fraser has been battling to pay off a university student debt of $102,000. Key points: The National Union of Students says the federal government is profiting from student loans Annual indexation is causing loan amounts to rise sharply due to high inflation Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the system is fair She's just 26 and fears the …

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