Inflation-driven higher education debt increases to hit millions of Australians

Even under the most conservative scenario, modelling suggests average Help debt will increase by at least $1700 when indexed on 1 June

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Millions of Australians with Higher Education Loan Program (Help) loans could face thousands of dollars in extra debt this year as soaring inflation hits the education sector.

Independent modelling provided to Guardian Australia suggests Australians with an average Help debt of $24,770.75 will face an increase of at least $1,700 when it is next indexed on 1 June, assuming, as is likely, that living costs remain high.