Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L01130:reg:12
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L01130
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 12
Character Range: 5769–7746

12  Requirements for the reduction of accumulated HELP debts
 (1) For the purposes of paragraph 144-10(1)(a) of the Act, the minimum period for which a person must have been a location-preferred HELP debtor (health practitioner) is either:
 (a) a quarter of the period of the duration of the course of study, specified in section 5, that was completed by the person, if the person has carried out work in a remote or very remote area as defined in subsections 7(2) and 7(3); or
 (b) half the period of the duration of the course of study, specified in section 5, that was completed by the person, if the person has carried out work in a rural area as defined in subsection 7(1).
Note: Under subsection 144-10(1) of the Act, the Secretary has discretion to determine the amount by which a person's accumulated HELP debt may be reduced, as long as the amount by which the debt is reduced does not exceed the amounts specified in subsection 144-10(2). Where a person has only been a location-preferred HELP debtor (health practitioner) for the minimum period specified in subsection 12(1), the Secretary will reduce the person's accumulated HELP debt by 50 per cent. If the person has been a location-preferred HELP debtor (health practitioner) for a period equivalent to double the minimum period specified in subsection 12(1), the Secretary will reduce the person's accumulated HELP debt by 100 per cent.
 (2) For the purposes of paragraph 144-10(1)(b) of the Act, the other requirements that a person must meet, for the purposes of determining whether their accumulated HELP debt for a course of study is to be reduced, are that the person:
 (a) has an accumulated HELP debt for all or part of their completed courses of study specified in section 5; and
 (b) resides in a rural, remote or very remote area as defined in section 7.
 (3) The courses of study specified for the purposes of subparagraph 144-10(2)(a)(i) of the Act, are the courses of study specified in section 5.