UK student loan in Australia
 

Hi,

I recently moved to Australia (I went to uni in the UK) and am working here. I opened my email the other day (which I dont use very often) and noticed an email from student loan company from UK asking me where I was. I currently have a lot of debts in Australia and have low income so I want to delay repayments for at least a year as even a couple of hundred dollars a month makes a huge difference to me at the moment (and I had totally forgot about student loan).

I was wondering if there is a way of delaying this payment? I've read in other forums that slc chased other people? Can someone share their experiences? How long does did it take them to chase people? I want to make payments but that will make my life here very difficult at the moment and want to delay for at least a year.

Thanks

Re: UK student loan in Australia
 

Re: UK student loan in Australia
 

Have a look at Student Loan Repayment UK and the section on 'Repaying your Loan'. You will have to start paying if you earn over (approx.) $50,200 AUD. If you can't pay at all I would contact them and ask what you can do to defer or pay a minimal amount. Interest will still accrue if you defer.

Best of luck!

Re: UK student loan in Australia
 

I did call them, anonymously twice, and they were almost rude both times and were only asking about my details and telling me that I need to pay!

Has anyone else been in a similar situation? How long did it take them to find people? I am thinking it probably takes them a year to find me so better not to give them any details rather than tell them everything and then beg them which they probably refuse anyway!

Re: UK student loan in Australia
 

But it's your debt. Of course they want payment! If you had enough money to support your mother and move to Australia then they would like to know why you didn't have the money to pay back the loan. I'm sure the taxpayers who fund the student loans would too.

Re: UK student loan in Australia
 

This company may want you to pay - and you should - but I don't see how they can legally force you to in Australia. There is plenty of info on this site about how overseas debts are very difficult to collect - do a search

It's done differently here - student loans are run by the government and are repaid directly out of your income as a tax supplement

Re: UK student loan in Australia
 

If you have a low income here they will not expect you to pay until your income rises. A couple of hundred dollars a moth makes a difference to most people but the majority of us who have come here with debts from home, be they loans, credit cards or whatever have had to find a way to pay them. Negotiating lower payments with the companies you owe money to here may be an option too.

How can you "forget" about a student loan?!

Re: UK student loan in Australia
 

I think I have to explain a couple of things- I have the intention of paying otherwise I wouldnt come here but I want to delay it (and I have been paying for the last 8 years or so).
And my circumstances have changed a lot in the last year, until about a year ago I wouldnt be bothered about a few hundred dollars a month but now even a hundred dollars makes a huge difference to me! I know my situation better than others.

Anyhow I was just interested to know about other peoples experience.

Thanks

Re: UK student loan in Australia
 

Why are you posting 'error' all over the forums?

Re: UK student loan in Australia
 

Hey there is nothing that they can do to compel you to pay back the debt.

Re: UK student loan in Australia
 

Re: UK student loan in Australia
 

Also if you were making payments in the UK and that bank account is still open they will continue to take payments until you can show your circumstances have changed.
You agreed to pay and you say you intend to, good for you. There are deferral options but you may have to apply in writing with evidence.

Re: UK student loan in Australia
 

Hello there - I have recently been through this process. I was repaying my default amount. However we recently had a baby and my wife gave up work so the repayment amount (close to AUD 650 per month). I completed an income and expenditure assessment and I was able to pay a lower amount for the next 12 months or until my circumstances change. Whatever the case my advice is to call and discuss with the Student Loan Company. The very worst thing you can do is to not communicate with them.