HECS-HELP Calculator
Calculate your HECS-HELP repayment obligations based on your income. Visualize thresholds and estimate your yearly and weekly repayments.
Income Selection
Adjust your annual income to see your HECS-HELP repayment obligations
Weekly Income
$1,442
Fortnightly Income
$2,885
HECS-HELP Thresholds
Effective repayment rate — your annual repayment as a share of income — across income levels
Repayment Breakdown
Your estimated HECS-HELP repayments
| Annual Income | $75,000 |
| Marginal Repayment Rate | 15.0% |
| Annual Repayment | $821 |
| Monthly Repayment | $68 |
| Fortnightly Repayment | $32 |
| Weekly Repayment | $16 |
HECS-HELP Repayment Thresholds
2026-27 HECS-HELP repayment thresholds (each rate applies only to income above its threshold; the top tier applies to total income)
| Repayment Income | Repayment |
|---|---|
| $0 – $69,528 | Nil |
| $69,529 – $129,717 | 15.0% for each $1 over $69,528 |
| $129,718 – $186,050 | $9,028 + 17.0% for each $1 over $129,717 |
| $186,051 and over | 10.0% of your total repayment income |
Source: Australian Tax Office | |
| Steps | Repayment |
|---|---|
| 1) The first $69,528 is below the repayment threshold | $0 |
| 2) The next portion between $69,528 - $129,717 is repaid at 15.0% equalling $9,028 | $9,028 |
| 3) The next portion between $129,717 - $160,000 is repaid at 17.0% equalling $5,148 | $5,148 |
| 4) Adding all these values together gives a compulsory repayment of $14,176 | $14,176 |
How HECS-HELP repayments work
HECS-HELP is the Australian Government loan scheme that covers university course fees for eligible students. You repay the loan through the tax system: once your income passes the repayment threshold, a percentage of it goes toward your debt each year, collected the same way as income tax.
Repayments are based on your repayment income, which is broadly your taxable income plus items like reportable fringe benefits and salary-sacrificed super. From 1 July 2025 the system changed significantly: repayments are now calculated marginally, like income tax. Under the 2026–27 rates this calculator applies by default (a financial-year selector lets you switch to the 2025–26, 2024–25 and 2023–24 scales), you repay nothing on the first $69,528 of repayment income, then 15% of each dollar between $69,528 and $129,717, and 17% of each dollar above $129,717. For repayment incomes of $186,051 or more, the repayment is instead a flat 10% of total repayment income. Enter your income and the calculator shows your yearly, monthly, fortnightly and weekly repayment alongside the threshold table.
HECS-HELP debts are interest-free, but the outstanding balance is indexed each 1 June to keep pace with inflation. If you’ve told your employer you have a HELP debt, they withhold extra from each pay to cover the year’s compulsory repayment, and the amount is credited against your debt when your tax return is assessed.
Figures are estimates based on the ATO repayment thresholds for the financial year you select (2026–27 by default) and are a guide only — your actual repayment is set by the ATO from your repayment income for the year. For advice on your situation, including whether voluntary repayments make sense, speak to a registered tax professional.
Frequently asked questions
When do I start repaying my HECS-HELP debt?
You start making compulsory repayments once your repayment income passes the annual threshold — $69,528 under the 2026–27 scale this calculator uses by default. Below that, you repay nothing for the year, no matter the size of your debt.
How much of my income goes to HECS-HELP repayments?
From 2025–26, repayments are calculated marginally, like income tax. Under the 2026–27 thresholds: nothing on the first $69,528 of repayment income, 15% of income between $69,528 and $129,717, and 17% of income above $129,717. For repayment incomes of $186,051 or more, a flat 10% of total repayment income applies instead. Before 2025–26 the rate (1% to 10%) applied to your whole repayment income.
Does a HECS-HELP debt charge interest?
No interest is charged, but the outstanding balance is indexed on 1 June each year to reflect changes in the cost of living. Indexation increases the balance, which is why some people choose to make voluntary repayments before June.
Are HECS-HELP repayments taken out of my pay automatically?
Yes, if you’ve declared your HELP debt to your employer. They withhold an additional amount from each pay to cover your expected compulsory repayment, and it’s applied to your debt when your tax return is processed.
Can I make voluntary HECS-HELP repayments?
Yes. You can pay any amount directly to the ATO at any time, on top of compulsory repayments. Voluntary repayments reduce the balance before indexation is applied, but they don’t reduce the compulsory repayment calculated from that year’s income.