HECS-HELP repayment calculator
If you have a HELP debt (often still called HECS), you make a compulsory repayment through your tax return once your income passes the minimum repayment income.
Since 2025-26 the repayment is only charged on the income above that threshold. Enter your repayment income and the year to see what you will repay.
How it's calculated
- In 2026-27 there is no compulsory repayment up to $69,528 of repayment income.
- Above it you repay 15% of each dollar up to $129,717, then $9,028 plus 17% of each dollar over that amount.
- Above $186,050 you repay 10% of your whole repayment income.
An example
With a repayment income of $86,380 in 2026-27, the compulsory repayment is $2,527.80.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as repayment income?
Your taxable income plus reportable fringe benefits, total net investment loss, reportable super contributions and exempt foreign employment income.
Does this cover other study loans?
Yes. HELP, VET Student Loans, SFSS, Student Start-up Loans, ABSTUDY SSL and Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans all use the same repayment income and rates.
What was the threshold in 2025-26?
In 2025-26 there was no compulsory repayment up to $67,000 of repayment income.
Key terms
- HELP
- Higher Education Loan Program, the government loan for higher education fees.
- Minimum repayment income
- The income at which compulsory repayments start.
- Compulsory repayment
- The amount the ATO adds to your tax assessment to pay down your study loan.
Up-to-date official data
Data checked against the official source on .
We check the official sources automatically, every day.
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