I'm an Australian ex-patriot who went straight to Microsoft after study and although myself and other friends who did the same aren't paying back their HECS now we all agree in the mid-to-late future when we return to Australia we will pay our HECS in full and likely later than others so with a little more interest too.

Honestly I think the brain drain is the biggest downside to Australians moving overseas after higher education, it's hard for me to move back after seeing the opportunities here.