
About this episode
HELP debt is now a $80 billion problem for Australia, and it’s only getting bigger. Today we dive into how HECS/HELP debt really works, why it’s impacting borrowing capacity, and whether the system needs a major rethink. From free money myths to the true cost of uni, we unpack the long-term financial consequences and what needs to change.
On this episode, we discuss:
(00:00) Intro
(00:38) What is Australia's $80 billion problem?
(04:05) 7.5% of your income gone to HELP repayments
(05:15) The impact of HELP debt on borrowing capacity
(07:00) Government wipes 20% of HELP debt-fair or not?
(08:10) Is the real issue the cost of education?
(09:00) Are uni campuses over-engineered and overpriced?
(10:40) Should education be delivered inside businesses?
(13:45) A look into homeschooling and self-directed learning
(15:45) The lack of financial education at school
(16:45) Would we make different uni decisions with better money knowledge?
(18:00) What if higher education was actually affordable?
(22:05) How the 20% HELP debt wipe will actually work
Check out the free resources from Inovayt here.
Send us an email: [email protected]
The Numbers Game is brought to you by Future Advisory & Inovayt.
Hosts:
Nick Reilly
Jason Robinson
Martin Vidakovic
This podcast is produced by VIDPOD.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Get every episode summarized
Each time The Numbers Game publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from The Numbers Game

Six Years of Zero Growth, $786B Spent | Australia's Productivity Crisis
The Numbers Game

Are You on the ATO's Radar? | The Biggest Audit Triggers in 2026
The Numbers Game

$5.4 Trillion Is Changing Hands | Is Your Family Ready for the Tax Bill?
The Numbers Game

Leaving Australia for Tax Purposes? The ATO Already Knows Your Plan
The Numbers Game