Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Bill 2025

Senator McALLISTER (New South Wales—Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) (13:04): Senator, you're correct that at the moment a person who withdraws from their degree doesn't need to pay the cost of the scholarship back if they withdraw prior to the census date you alluded to. I believe that they do remain liable for the HECS costs incurred by them in the pursuit of their studies up to that point.

You are also correct that a purpose of this bill is to extend the period during which a person may withdraw without incurring a debt associated with their receipt of Commonwealth payments.