September 2025

Understanding the new 20% student loan reduction

The Australian government’s promise to cut student loan debts by 20% has now become law. If you’re one of more than three million Australians who have a student loan, you’re probably wondering what this means for you and when you’ll see the benefits.

The change applies to all types of student loans, including VET Student Loans, Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans, and even older schemes like the Student Financial Supplement Scheme.

August 2025

HECS/HELP debt reduction Bill introduced

On 23 July, the Labor government introduced legislation aimed at enacting its election promise to reduce student debt by 20%. The Bill proposes to:

July 2025

Get it right this tax time: don’t lodge your return too early

It might seem like a good idea to lodge your tax return as soon as the financial year ends – with costs of living rising you might be hoping for a refund, or you might just want to tick it off your to-do list for another 12 months. But the ATO has warned that early July lodgers are twice as likely to make mistakes on their returns, and recommends that tax returns be submitted later in July.

Halys & Sells 2022 Update

After 34 ½ years full-time in the Accounting Profession and 25 ½ years in full-time Practice from 1 July 2021 John Halys will be semi-retiring to enjoy life post full-time employment.  For those who know John well you could say that he is taking his own advice. 
 
Emma is buying John out of the partnership and the subsequently there will be a change in the business name to Emma Sells & Associates.