Vocabs：

HECS：澳洲助学贷款

Threshold：n. 门槛；极限

Unveil：vt. 公布；揭开

Overhaul：vt. 大修；n.详细检查

Sustainable：adj. 可持续的

Rack：vt. 折磨；vi. 变形

Callous：adj. 无情的；vi.变得无情

Indiference：n. 冷淡；不重视；中立

Burden：n. 负担；vt. 烦扰

Conservative：adj. 保守的；n. 保守派

Stagnant：adj. 停滞的；不景气的

Budget 2017: What university students think about the changes to fees, HECS debt threshold

Cuts to university funding, increased student fees and a lowered HECS debt payback threshold are among the changes the Federal Government has unveiled in its plan to overhaul higher education.

Graduates will now have to repay their HECS debt when they start earning $42,000 per year, down from $55,000, while the cost of most courses will increase by up to $3,600 for a four-year course.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham told ABC Radio Sydney that "the level of student debt that the Federal Government is carrying is $52 billion".

"If we're to keep offering one of the world's most generous student loan schemes into the future, we need to make sure it's a sustainable student loans program."

But the news is not sitting well with many students across the country, who are racking up thousands in student fees and facing other increasing economic and social pressures.

Kishor Napier-Ramen, Bachelor of Arts/Law

PHOTO: Kishor Napier-Ramen in his fourth year at the University of Sydney. (Supplied: Kishor Napier-Ramen)

Mr Napier Ramen has a HECS debt of $50,000.

"These changes are part of what I see, and what many students see, as the Government's general callous indifference towards the lives of young people.

"And while someone on a minister's salary might look at $8 a week [HECS repayment] and see it as a relatively miniscule burden, we've got to recognise the reality in which these repayments are happening.

"It's a reality in which young people in Australia struggle to get affordable housing, in which we struggle to access well-paying jobs that conservative politicians like to talk about.

"If universities have money, then maybe they can have students paying less for their fees, but if they're choosing to have flashy new buildings rather than make it more accessible to students, that might be a questionable use of student funding and across the sector more generally."

Ellen Campbell, Bachelor of Science

PHOTO: Ellen Campbell is in her first year of a science degree. (ABC News: James Carmody)

Ms Campbell studies science at the University of Western Australia.

"I don't think it's very fair on students because we won't have very high paying jobs [when we graduate] and cutting to a lower threshold isn't going to make it any easier.

"I just found out that the five top companies don't pay tax apparently, so taking tax from students instead of those massive companies doesn't seem fair considering we have such a low income at this point.

"It could make it lot harder establishing your career ... and things like buying a house."

James Chan, Bachelor of Dental Science

PHOTO: James Chan says most dentistry students at Charles Sturt University will have a HECS debt around $50,000. (Supplied: James Chan)

Mr Chan is in his final year of dentistry, which is one of the degrees expected to receive top-up funding from the Government.

"It's probably a good thing I think because there is a lack of dentists in remote areas.

"It will create more job prospects in areas that really need it, although it could be bad in high-density metropolitan areas where there are not enough jobs for graduates.

"Lowering the HECS threshold is just going to disadvantage those who live away from home.

"It will be a challenge particularly for students living away from home during their degree; they have to pay fees to stay in college and pay rent and you can't get Centrelink."

Emilio Mattiuzzo, Bachelor of Business

PHOTO: Emilio Mattiuzzo studies at the University of Technology, Sydney. (ABC Radio Sydney: Amanda Hoh)

Mr Mattiuzzo expects his final HECS debt to be about $35,000.

"There are a lot of inefficiencies at university so it seems reasonable to put more pressure on universities, but for students to foot the bill, I think that's a bit unreasonable.

"I'd have to start paying my HECS back very soon if they lowered the threshold to $42,000.

"It will put a lot of pressure on me in terms of saving for a house, it's a pretty big drop."

Aaditya 'Eddie' Bhargava, Bachelor of Electrical Engineering

PHOTO: Aaditya Bhargava is studying at the University of Western Australia (ABC News: James Carmody)

Mr Bhargava is in his third year at UWA and thinks his student debt could increase by around $25,000.

"I don't think the funding cuts is a fair thing because we're living in a first-world country; the only thing I think the Government should be focused on in terms of investment is health and education.

"When I graduate I want to be done with uni and move on with my career ... obviously I don't want to be giving away a bigger part of my paycheck.

"It's hard enough getting a job that pays over $50,000 as it is ... at $42 000 it's going to hit families even harder.

"As a long-term investment it would be better to make it easier for us to study and innovate and create new things, rather than making it harder to attend university."

Adam Hoh, Master of Architecture

PHOTO: Adam Hoh is in his final year at the University of Technology, Sydney. (ABC Radio Sydney: Amanda Hoh)

Mr Hoh expects his HECS debt after two degrees will be about $50,000.

"When you finish uni, you want to become an adult and have a full-time job, but having to pay back a debt earlier holds you back from going forward in life to save for a house or save for travel.

"Sydney is not the cheapest city and living out of home is expensive, especially as a student.

"Having studied overseas on exchange in Copenhagen where they pay high tax but they get free education, free university, it seems everyone there is more equipped once they finish university to move forward, rather than stay stagnant and continue living like a student once they graduate."