So it seems like the Australian Government is getting pretty serious about chasing down these old HECS debts. I have been in denial about it, but the way healthcare is going in the US, the possibility of returning to Australia to take advantage of the universal health system is becoming more of a reality. An outstanding HECS debt could certainly screw up this plan.
I called the ATO and they told me my HECS debt is only around $10K (AUD). While this was a huge relief, I don't exactly have a good option to pay this right now, I would probably have to look for some kind of credit card with a 0% promo rate, and pay if off over a year. Ideally, I would rather let that debt sit until I am in a better position to pay it (I stop paying alimony in Oct 2018). (FWIW my worldwide income is around $150K).
My concern is, if I keep ignoring this debt for a bit longer, what are the potential negative ramifications? Could I start getting hit with penalties (above and beyond the indexation)? Could I be held up by Australian immigration authorities if I tried to re-enter the country as a visitor?