HECS-HELP debt when you move overseas

What you must do

1. Within 7 days of leaving — if you intend to live overseas for 183 days or more in any 12-month period, submit an Overseas travel notification in ATO online services (Tax › Manage › Overseas travel notifications) and update your contact details. A short trip home does not need a new notification.
2. By 31 October each year — report your worldwide income for the Australian income year (1 July to 30 June) through myTax (Tax › Lodgments › Report worldwide income), or lodge a non-lodgment advice if your income is low enough. A registered tax agent may have a later due date.
3. Pay what the notice says — you receive a notice with the amount and the due date.

How much you repay

Your worldwide income is your repayment income plus foreign-sourced income earned while a non-resident, in Australian dollars (HESA s154-17). The same 2026–27 thresholds apply: nothing up to $69,528, then 15c and 17c per dollar, capped at 10% (thresholds).

If part of your income is Australian repayment income, that part creates a compulsory repayment through your tax return. The rest is an overseas levy: the repayment on your worldwide income minus the repayment on your repayment income alone (HESA s154-32).

Example (2026–27): a non-resident with $40,000 of Australian repayment income and $60,000 of foreign income. Worldwide income $100,000 → total repayment $4,570.80. Repayment on $40,000 alone: $0.00 (under the threshold). Overseas levy: $4,570.80.

The ATO offers three ways to assess foreign income (simple self-assessment, overseas assessed, and comprehensive tax-based assessment); pick the one that fits the documents you have, such as a foreign tax assessment, payslips or bank statements.

Indexation continues

Your balance is still indexed every 1 June. If you report little or no income for several years, the debt grows. Use the pay-off calculator with your expected worldwide income to see the effect.