Tax Returns Dandenong: HECS-HELP Benefit for Teachers

Tax Services and Advice for Teachers: HECS-HELP Benefit for Teachers

Author │ MAS Tax Accountants Dandenong

Have you graduated from an Education course and are currently working as a Teacher? If you answered yes to the above you may be eligible for the HECS-HELP benefit. The HECS-HELP benefit provides assistance for graduates who take up work in the field they studied by reducing their compulsory HELP repayments.

Are you eligible?

You are eligible if the following applies:

Graduated from an eligible education course after June 30, 2009

(An eligible course is one that leads to the award of a qualification that is recognised by a state or territory government as meeting the requirements for initial registration or employment as a teacher in a primary or secondary school).

Held a Commonwealth Supported Place for some or all of that course.
Had outstanding HECS‑HELP debt at the completion of the eligible course.
Still have a HELP debt to repay in the income year for which you are applying.
If you are required to make a compulsory HELP debt repayment for the income year of your application.
If you were employed as a teacher for at least one week in the income year for which you are applying.

Is there a limit?

There is a lifetime limit of 260 weeks for the benefit as an education graduate. That means eligible applicants could receive the HECS‑HELP benefit for 5 years of eligible employment.

How much will the reduction be?

The benefit is calculated on a pro-rata basis according to the number of weeks worked in the income year period. The amount of HECS‑HELP benefit that you can receive depends on your HELP debt when you completed your course and the number of weeks worked in an eligible occupation.

The maximum HECS‑HELP Benefit as an education graduate is:

$1,716.85 for the 2013–14 income year;
$1,761.49 for the 2014–15 income year;
$1,798.48 for the 2015–16 income year; and
$1,825.46 for the 2016-17 income year

Is there a Time limit?

You have two years from the end of the income year for which you are applying, to lodge your application. For example, applications for the 2013–14 income year must be lodged with the ATO by 30 June 2016.

We at MAS Tax Dandenong can assist in lodging your application. A tax return must be completed at the time of lodgement and as such we can complete your tax return and lodge your HECS-HELP Benefit form at the same time.

This benefit is also available to the following graduates:
– Maths
– Science
– Nursing
– Midwifery
– Early Childhood Education