‘I was really pushed’: 30-year-old Aussie reveals grim reality of getting her university degree

A young Aussie has revealed why she doesn’t even feel like her university degree was worth it.

A young Aussie has revealed why she doesn’t even feel like her university degree was worth it.

Jade Morris, 30, was academically inclined in high school and felt pushed into attending university because she was told that it was essentially the only way to achieve success and financial security.

“There didn’t seem like there was another option. I was really pushed at school to go to university and I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” she told news.com.au.

Ms Morris went to university, even though she wasn’t entirely sold on the idea, and she struggled to determine which degree she wanted to pursue.

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She started off doing primary school teaching, switched to occupational therapy after two years and eventually ended up doing a degree in social work which she finished.

Ms Morris ended up studying at university for around eight years and has over $50,000 worth of HECS debt hanging over head.

“Even when I was going through university I didn’t feel like it was for me. (I now) have eight years’ worth of debt,” she said.

Ms Morris she didn’t really think there was another option outside of going to University to become successful. Picture: TikTok/jadeebonymorris

She now owes around $50,000 in HECS debt. Picture: Instagram/_jadeebonymorris

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When she finished her degree, she found work in the area she studied. First working in child safety and earning about $98,000 a year, but she only lasted a month because it impacted her mental health severely.

She then secured a clinical role and was earning around $78,000, but she found that working 9-5 left her little time to enjoy her personal life.

She’s now working as a disability support worker, which is what she was doing to support herself while studying at university.

“In the last financial year I’ve earned more doing support work. I’ve earned over $100,000,” she said.

Ms Morris argued that it makes her years of studying feel less worthwhile, considering she’s now earning more doing a job she was already doing without any university qualifications.

“Why did I even go to uni to get a degree?” she said.

The 30-year-old is frustrated that she’s also carrying a significant amount of debt and feels like she’ll be paying it off for the rest of her life.

“It was the most expensive mistake I’ve ever made. Every pay slip, every tax time I’m reminded of this,” she said.

She now wonders why she even bothered to get a degree. Picture: Instagram/_jadeebonymorris

She’s earning six-figures doing a job that she doesn’t need a degree for. Picture: Instagram/_jadeebonymorris

Ms Morris said she didn’t think her HECS loan would be a big problem because it is interest-free, but indexation has meant the loan has kept growing instead of shrinking.

“Because of indexation, it is close to $50,000. It was less, I swear it was like $40,000, but it has increased dramatically,” she said.

“Each pay cycle, I am seeing the money come out for my HECS debt, and I just think about all the things I could be doing with that money.”

Higher education loans in Australia don’t charge interest, but they are subject to indexation based on inflation.

In 2023, millions of Aussies saw their loans increase by a whopping 7.1 per cent - the biggest jump seen in 30 years. In June 2024, the indexation rate was 4.7 per cent.

As of 2025 HECS loans are now indexed in line with either the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Wage Price Index (WPI), depending on which figure is smaller, as a way to ensure the rates are not outpaced by wage growth.

She feels now like she’s living with a massive debt. Picture: NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

Ms Morris said she feels resentful over the “massive debt” for degrees she isn’t even using.

“I take responsibility for it was my choice, but I do feel like I wasn’t well informed to make that decision, and I didn’t ever really have any understanding on how indexation worked or anything like that,” she said.

The 30-year-old said having the debt hanging over her head makes her feel like other financial milestones are out of reach.

“Maybe I won’t ever be able to own a home,” she said.

“It makes me feel stupid and dumb for getting myself into this situation. I feel more behind than some people are.”