Anne Webster (Mallee, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

With the Higher Education Support Amendment (Extending the Student Loan Fee Exemption) Bill 2021, the government is extending the FEE-HELP loan fee exemption already in place by a further six months. The extension to the FEE-HELP loan fee exemption provides an incentive to students to commence and continue their study throughout 2021. The Australian government originally introduced a temporary exemption from the FEE-HELP loan fee due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This extension continues the government's support of students in higher education.

Higher education leads to increased skills, greater job opportunities, economic output and growth and a better quality of life. Higher education is something I engaged in later in life—actually beginning two degrees and a PhD when I turned 49.

See this speech in context