Taxpayers, including those paying tuition fees with FEE-HELP loans, can claim a deduction for self-education expenses that relate to the work they do. But graduates with a HECS-HELP debt can’t claim.
Although the government has identified a real problem, its heavy-handed regulation would create unnecessary red tape for universities and exclude students who should get a second chance.
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Twenty five percent of student loans are unlikely to be paid.
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With HELP debt likely to increase to A$75 billion in 2020, research from the US shows offering students financial literacy courses may be a gentler way to combat student debt.
HELP repayment arrangements have long term consequences for students and their families.
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Senators should consider how repayment thresholds vary depending on family circumstances, the impacts on taxes and how long students will be saddled with debt.
Those already working will face tax increases of 1%-2% of their income from 2018.
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The government should add a ‘super payment option’ that allows graduates to offset the cost of their HELP repayments.
The government proposes increases in the student contribution to course fees totalling 7.5%, and is lowering the first income threshold for HELP repayment.
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A Grattan Institute report I co-authored highlights student debt costs, with the finding that the government could save $800 million a year by retrieving unpaid debts from deceased estates and students…