The Government has unveiled extensive changes to the fee structure of Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) schemes. These changes include a decrease in the minimum repayment threshold, as well as significant amendments to repayment rates.

The Government also announced an annual increase in student contributions of 1.82 percent, totalling approximately 7.5 percent over a period of four years. The increase will come into effect from July 1, 2018. A new minimum threshold of $42,000 will be established with a 1% repayment rate and a maximum threshold of $119,882 with a 10% repayment rate. By way of background, for 2017/18, the minimum threshold is $55,874 and the minimum repayment rate is 4%. The maximum threshold for 2017/18 is $103,766 with an 8% repayment rate.