Share this @internewscast.com
Australians with growing student debt will have to wait to see their balances reduced by 20 per cent, despite Education Minister Jason Clare saying it’s the government’s first priority.

However, the changes require legislation and parliament doesn’t commence until the end of July.

In the meantime, student loans will rise by 3.2 per cent due to annual indexation calculations (based off the Consumer Price Index).

So, how will these changes be applied?

When can we expect the cuts to be made?

Clare is adamant that the cuts to student loans will be the “very first legislation” Labor introduces when parliament returns on 22 July.

Once it’s passed, he confirmed that outstanding student debts will be wiped retrospectively.

A man in a dark suit and tie speaking.

Education Minister Jason Clare has announced cuts to student debts as well as changes to repayments from 1 July. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

“The legislation will cut 20 per cent off your student debt and backdate it to 1 June, before indexation was applied,” Clare said in a statement to SBS News.

“This is a game-changer for the more than three million Australians with a student loan.”
This means the indexation that is applied on 1 June will be re-calculated by the Australian Taxation Office after the measure comes into effect.
These changes apply to several student support loans including HELP, VET Student Loan and the Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan.

The proposed legislation is expected to swiftly move through the lower house, where Labor has 94 seats, and the upper house, where Labor and the Greens maintain a majority.

The Greens are expected to vote for the changes as they supported wiping all student debt during their election campaign.

How much will the average Australian save?

University students and graduates will have roughly $5,500 cut from their student debts as a result of the changes,
HECS-HELP debt, which grew to roughly $80 billion in 2023-24, is considered a debt recovery measure instead of a revenue stream for the government.
For a graduate with $50,000 in student loans, their debt will be wiped by $10,000.

The reduction is on debts as of 1 June, so Australians who voluntarily decide to pay off their debts before this date will not be reimbursed.

A table showing how much Australians in each state and territory owe due to student loans and how much the average person will save from a 20 per cent cut.

What’s next in Labor’s student repayment reforms?

The minimum repayment threshold for student loans will also be raised on 1 July, offering cost-of-living relief for younger Australians.
Those with student debt will start repaying their loans once their income is above $67,000, instead of the current $54,000 threshold.
The amount you pay will no longer be a percentage of your income but instead will be a marginal repayment, as recommended by the Australian University Accord.
For someone earning $70,000, the compulsory repayment will be reduced by $1,300 annually.
The measures are a recognition that course fees have increased — spiking under the Morrison government’s Jobs-ready Graduates package — and younger Australians are paying high fees at a time when they are also looking to buy their first homes and start a family.

The Coalition did not support the cuts to student debt during the election campaign, arguing it was unfair for taxpayers to foot the bill.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Discover Australia’s Booming Suburbs: Where Home Prices Have Skyrocketed Over 100% in Just 5 Years!

Nearly 200 Australian suburbs have more than doubled in value over the…
The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon after getting married today in Canberra.

Inside the Secret Wedding of Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon at The Lodge: Exclusive Details Revealed

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has married long-time partner Jodie Haydon in an…
Survivor's incredible story from inside the Hong Kong horror blaze

Miraculous Escape: Survivor Shares Harrowing Tale from Devastating Hong Kong Fire

Just after 3 p.m., William Li received a startling call from his…

UN Urges Global Solidarity Following Trump’s Pledge to Halt Migration from Developing Nations

UN agencies have asked the US to continue to allow asylum seekers…
ACT Policing is urging the mother of the newborn baby to seek medical attention.

Heartbreaking Discovery: Newborn Baby Abandoned at Canberra Fire Station Sparks Urgent Response

Police are looking for dashcam footage after a a newborn baby was…
Trump to pardon Honduran president's drug trafficking sentence

Breaking News: Trump Set to Pardon Honduran President in Major Drug Trafficking Case

President Donald Trump said he will be pardoning former Honduran President Juan…
Lukas Schindler from Switzerland crossing the finish line at the Sydney marathon.

Heroic Swiss Tourist Identified After Bravely Attempting to Save Girlfriend from Shark Attack

A Swiss tourist who bravely attempted to ward off a shark during…

Airbus A320 Recall Alert: Key Details and Implications for Airlines and Passengers

Airbus is warning of potential travel disruption due to upgrades on about…

Olympia’s Maggot Farms in Australia Tackle $36 Billion Global Challenge

With food waste driving a measurable share of Australia’s emissions, efforts to…

Ukrainian Political Shake-Up: Zelenskyy’s Top Aide Resigns Following Anti-Corruption Raid

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s powerful chief of staff Andriy Yermak, a close ally…

Trump Challenges Biden’s Autopen Executive Orders: A New Political Showdown Unfolds

In a recent statement, former President Donald Trump announced his intention to…

Trump Criticizes Biden’s Vetting Process Following Tragic Death of National Guard Member in Washington Shooting

One of the two national guard members shot near the White House…