If you go overseas and you have a higher education debt under the Higher Education Loan program (HELP), Trade Support Loan (TSL) or the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS), you are liable to repay those debts if you earn worldwide income over a certain threshold. This applies to all higher education debts regardless of when they were incurred.
Prior to 2017, individuals could incur these higher education debts and move overseas with no repayment obligations. However, these debts are now required to be repaid regardless of where you are in the world, as long as your worldwide income is over a certain threshold. This applies regardless of whether your debt was incurred before or after 2017. As long as you have a higher education debt to the Commonwealth of Australia, you are required to repay the debt regardless of where you reside.
If you have a higher education debt and plan on going overseas, you will need to update your contact details and submit an “overseas travel notification” if you intend to go overseas for 183 days or more in any 12 months. This includes for any reason such as holiday, study or work.
Need guidance?
If you are going overseas and you have a higher education debt, we can help you lodge your returns with the ATO while you are away.