Changes to Higher Education Loan Programme from 2012

The following changes to the HECS-HELP Discount and Voluntary Repayment Bonus are effective from 1 January 2012:

HECS-HELP Discount

The HECS-HELP discount applied to up front student contribution payments of $500 or more made directly to the University, has been lowered to 10 per cent (from 20 per cent).

Voluntary Repayment Bonus

When making voluntary repayments of a HELP (which includes HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP and VET FEE-HELP) debt directly to the Australian Tax Office (ATO), the voluntary repayment bonus, applied to payments of $500 or more, has been lowered to 5 per cent (from 10 per cent).

Where to find out more

For more information please visit www.goingtouni.gov.au.