The ATO is conducting a data matching program for the 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22 financial years to identify individuals with an existing Higher Education Loan Program (‘HELP’), Vocational Education and Training Student Loan (‘VSL’) and/or Trade Support Loans (‘TSL’) debt who may not be meeting their registration, lodgment and/or payment obligations.

This data collection is expected to involve approximately 3 million individuals each year.

The ATO states on its website that:

The objectives of this data matching program are to:

• ensure participants with a HELP, VSL or TSL debt impacted by the law changes are receiving guidance materials, self-help information and support
• ensure participants with a HELP, VSL or TSL debt impacted by the law changes are aware of their registration, lodgment and payment obligations
• use insight gained to further develop educational strategies intended to promote voluntary compliance and strengthen community confidence in the integrity of the tax system
• provide possible opportunities to satisfy the ATO’s wider compliance activities of registration, lodgement, correct reporting and payment of taxation and superannuation obligations.

To find out more about more the program please visit the ATO website.