Zabaneh and Secretary, Department of Education and Training

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered the dispute between Ms. Zabaneh and the Secretary, Department of Education and Training concerning a FEE-HELP debt. Ms. Zabaneh sought to have her FEE-HELP balance re-credited, arguing that she had made her application within the relevant period and that special circumstances existed.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether Ms. Zabaneh had made an application for re-crediting of her FEE-HELP balance within the prescribed application period. It also had to consider whether, if an application was made within the period, special circumstances existed that would justify the re-crediting of her FEE-HELP balance.

The Tribunal affirmed the decision of the delegate. It found that Ms. Zabaneh had not made an application for re-crediting of her FEE-HELP balance within the application period. Consequently, the Tribunal did not need to consider whether special circumstances existed.