The Government has introduced changes to Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) and Trade Support Loan (TSL) debt repayment obligations if you have, or are thinking of, moving overseas. The changes apply if you intend to move overseas for a total of more than six months in any 12 month period.

Firstly, you must notify the ATO by updating your contact details, including international residential and email addresses. You will also need to lodge an Australian tax return declaring your worldwide income. If you then earn more than the repayment threshold, you will need to make the compulsory loan repayments.

If you are considering an extended period overseas, we would be pleased to discuss the implications with you. Alternatively, visit the ATO’s overseas repayments page.