The government revealed on Monday it had $6.2 billion in HECS debt, which will never be recovered.

However, despite the growing debt, Mr Coulton said it was still important students gave something back for the education they received.

"It enables more to have a tertiary education... it's not a bad system and it's an investment in their future to pay for it," he said.

The report highlighted the ineffectiveness of the current payment system - its merits were also the hot topic for local residents who opened up debate on the Daily Liberal Facebook page.

A father-of-three who were all paying off HECS?debt, Mr Coulton said it was particularly hard for regional students to make the payments.

He said relocation and general study costs coupled with some difficulties in finding work, put the debt to the back of the queue.

"It's difficult to get youth allowance for some regional kids now, and that's made it harder to get their education," Mr Coulton said.

"In 2008 the government made changes, and again in 2011.

"Some colleagues and I are keen on a tertiary access allowance for those who don't live near a uni to level the playing field with their city counterparts.

"It's hard now and it shouldn't be made harder."

The suggestion a university degree did not necessarily guarantee a good income was topical between Dubbo residents online, sparking conversation about the scheme's relevance in regional areas.

For one, the idea of a HECS debt later in life was daunting because of children and other loans.

Another said many would not earn the required $49,095 a year to make payments.

However, most agreed the system still gave everyone the choice to further their studies.

The total HECS debt now stands at $26.3 billion, an increase of more than $3.2 billion from last financial year.

Along with low-income earners, students who live permanently overseas and do not earn income in Australia are exempt from making payments.