HECS-HELP benefit - Overview

The benefit provides the incentive for graduates in maths and science, nursing (including midwifery), early childhood education (ECE) and education to take up related occupations or work in specified locations. Explains who is eligible and how to apply.

Overview

The HECS-HELP benefit is designed to encourage graduates of some types of courses to take up employment in specified occupations. These course types are:

• early childhood education (ECE) courses
• maths and science courses
• education courses
• nursing (including midwifery) courses.

In the case of ECE teachers, location is also specified - rural and regional areas, Indigenous communities and areas of socio-economic disadvantage.

The benefit for ECE teachers was expanded from the 2011-12 income year (available from 1 July 2012). The expansion provides for:

• an increase in the number of eligible postcode locations in rural and remote areas, including regional cities (this will allow more ECE teachers working in areas of high need to apply)
• the removal of the requirement that teachers spend 50% of their time teaching.

This means qualified early childhood education teachers will be able to claim the HECS-HELP benefit as long as they spend some of their employed time providing:

• education or childcare services to children who have yet to commence formal schooling and / or
• pedagogical support to staff who teach those children.