Pain on pain: CPI indexation triggers sharp increases to student debts

Foreign university students report

Students come under increasing financial pressure from CPI indexation on their HECS-HELP debts Credit: Chris Ison/PA

More than 3 million Australians are facing steep increases to their higher education debts because of Australia's high rate of inflation. HECS-HELP debts are indexed each year to the consumer price index and this year's indexation rate is 7.1 per cent.


Key Points
  • HECS-HELP system has enabled thousands of Australians to get a tertiary education.
  • HECS-HELP debts are indexed each year to the consumer price index and this year's indexation rate is 7.1 per cent.
  • It means someone with a typical debt of $25,000 faces an increase of $1,775. But some graduates say their debt burden is much higher.

Share
Follow SBS Filipino

Download our apps
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
Independent news and stories connecting you to life in Australia and Filipino-speaking Australians.
Understand the quirky habits of Aussie life.
Get the latest with our exclusive in-language podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS News in Filipino

SBS News in Filipino

Watch it onDemand