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The average student debt ballooned by almost $1000 this June.Credit:Steven Siewert

Each year the federal government indexes HECS-HELP debt in line with the inflation rate.

As almost everyone knows,the cost of living is on the rise and inflation is fast gathering pace. It means those with student debt need to take far more notice of their outstanding loan balance;otherwise it could compound quickly.

Student debt was indexed by 3.9 per cent on June 1,compared to just 0.6 per cent a year earlier. The average indexation rate between 2016 and 2020 was less than 2 per cent.

However,with the inflation rate forecast to remain elevated,student debts are likely to also keep growing at a rapid pace.

The average student debt was$23,685 in 2020-21, the latest available data show. That amount would have had $924 added to it on June 1,compared to just $142 a year earlier,assuming no repayments had been made.

HECS-HELP repayments are not required until a person reaches annual income of $47,014 a year.The percentage payable increases as your income increases,so the more you earn,the higher your repayment will be.

For those earning between $47,014 and $54,282,it is 1 per cent of income;from $54,283 to $57,538 it rises to 2 per cent,and from $57,539 to $60,991 it is 2.5 per cent. Payments top out at $137,898 and above,with 10 per cent of income required to be paid.

The Australian Taxation Office calculates compulsory repayments each year and includes it on your income tax notice of assessment. That means that it happens automatically,so it is usually hardly noticed by those repaying it.

A basic financial rule of thumb is to pay off debts with the highest interest rates first,such as personal loans and credit cards,that can have rates in the high single-digits,or more. When those debts are repaid,you generally move onto the next highest-rate debt.

Even with the relatively high indexation applied to student debt – and maybe even higher next financial year – you would still be better off repaying debts that are accruing high-interest rates first,rather than student debt

Although voluntary repayments on student debt can be made at any time,whether to make voluntary payments depends on the personal circumstances of each debt holder.

Jessica Brady,financial adviser at Fox and Hare,says COVID-19 job losses,particularly among young workers,was an important reminder of the value of maintaining a “just in case” cash buffer.

She believes even if a higher than usual HECS-HELP debt indexation rate continues,there is still no real urgency to pay it off via voluntary payments.

Most student debt,although growing,is relatively small. And many young people have better uses for their money,such as buying a home,she says.

“It is good debt,as you are investing in yourself and that leads to more career and income opportunities,” Brady says.

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