HECS
We asked these Australians what they thought of the budget. This is what they told us
We spoke to people about their thoughts and concerns ahead of, and immediately after, the budget. Here’s what they had to say.
- by Olivia Ireland, Josefine Ganko, Jessica McSweeney, Jim Malo, Alex Crowe, Megan Gorrey and Cara Waters
Latest
How the budget affects you – from students to retirees
Young or old, single or married: this is how the 2024 budget will impact your life.
- by Rachel Clun and Olivia Ireland
Opinion
University
Labor’s paid placements are a slap in the face, not a saving grace
The plan to pay students $319 a week for placements is a start, but just because something is better than nothing doesn’t inherently make it good.
- by Victoria Devine
HECS burden stifling productivity
Education Minister Jason Clare needs to change our student debt system, not just patch it.
Analysis
Tax deductions
Why sorting your tax early this year is more important than ever
You need to look for every tax deduction and defer any income you can, and take advice on your particular circumstances so you don’t overdo it.
- by Julia Hartman
Exclusive
University
Minister vows to ‘weed out the bottom feeders’ in university system
Private colleges have been told to stop recruiting fake overseas students within six months or risk losing their licences.
- by David Crowe
Opinion
University funding
Until Labor arrests the ballooning cost of uni, students are still being short-changed
It remains to be seen how much difference a sometimes-reduced rate of indexation is going to make. Certainly, some. But the root of the problem remains.
- by Rachel Withers
Completion bonuses on the cards in university overhaul
Education Minister Jason Clare’s vision for getting more disadvantaged students into universities will be outlined in next week’s budget.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos
Opinion
University
The government’s HECS change is good, but another tweak is still needed
Timing is important – and that’s one of the clear shortfalls in the federal government’s surprise for young people with student loans.
- by Millie Muroi
Student incomes to receive further government boost as Labor goes after youth vote
Education Minister Jason Clare also warned any intimidation on university campuses was “intolerable”.
- by Angus Thompson and Matthew Knott
Labor wipes $3b off student loans as cost-of-living relief measure
Facing blowback over its agenda to help financially insecure Millennials, Labor has revealed a major change to the calculation of student loan indexation.
- by Paul Sakkal