Have you graduated from a nursing/midwifery course and are currently working as a registered nurse/midwife? 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 nursing/midwifery course after June 30, 2009
(An eligible nursing or midwifery course is a course that leads to the award of a qualification that is recognised by a state or territory government as meeting the requirements for initial registration as a registered nurse or a registered midwife.).
- 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 nurse/midwife 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 a nursing/midwife 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 a nursing/midwife graduate is:
- $1,683.19 for the 2012–13 income year;
- $1,716.85 for the 2013–14 income year;
- $1,761.49 for the 2014–15 income year; and
- $1,798.48 for the 2015–16 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 2012–13 income year must be lodged with the ATO by 30 June 2015.
How to lodge?
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:
– Math
– Science
– Education
– Early Childhood Education
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For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us below or call us on 03 9792 2772
