If you don’t pay your HECS-HELP debt, several consequences can arise. Initially, repayments are tied to your income; if you earn below the repayment threshold, you won't be required to make payments. However, if your income exceeds this threshold and you fail to make repayments, what happens if you don’t pay HECS is that the debt will continue to accumulate, as it is indexed to inflation. Additionally, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) can withhold tax refunds or garnish your wages to recover the debt. Over time, non-repayment can lead to increased financial stress and impact your credit rating, making future borrowing more difficult.