HECS/HELP Repayment Calculator
Calculate how much you'll repay on your HECS-HELP student loan each year. Enter your repayment income and debt balance to see your repayment rate, annual and monthly repayments, and how long it takes to clear your debt.
HECS/HELP Repayment Calculator
Calculate your annual HECS-HELP repayment, repayment rate and how long it takes to pay off your student loan.
Current repayment band: $79,585.00 — $90,046.00
| Annual repayment | $1,600.00 |
| Monthly repayment | $133.33 |
| Fortnightly repayment | $61.54 |
| Weekly repayment | $30.77 |
| $0.00 — $69,528.00 | 0% |
| $69,528.00 — $79,585.00 | 1% |
| $79,585.00 — $90,046.00 | 2% |
| $90,046.00 — $100,844.00 | 2.5% |
| $100,844.00 — $112,448.00 | 3% |
| $112,448.00 — $125,844.00 | 3.5% |
| $125,844.00 — $129,717.00 | 4% |
| $129,717.00 — $137,920.00 | 4.5% |
| $137,920.00 — $155,853.00 | 5% |
| $155,853.00 — $175,471.00 | 5.5% |
| $175,471.00 — $186,050.00 | 6% |
| $186,050.00 — $203,910.00 | 6.5% |
| $203,910.00 — $223,314.00 | 7% |
| $223,314.00 — $244,832.00 | 7.5% |
| $244,832.00 — $268,430.00 | 8% |
| $268,430.00 — $294,417.00 | 8.5% |
| $294,417.00 — $322,929.00 | 9% |
| $322,929.00 — $354,217.00 | 9.5% |
| $354,217.00 — + | 10% |
Notes:
• Repayments are based on your repayment income (taxable income + reportable fringe benefits + net investment losses).
• Repayment rates apply to your entire repayment income, not just the portion above the threshold.
How HECS-HELP Repayments Work
HECS-HELP is Australia's student loan scheme. When your repayment income exceeds the minimum threshold, you're required to repay a percentage of your income through the tax system. The repayment rate increases with your income — from 1% up to a maximum of 10%.
Repayments are collected automatically through PAYG withholding or when you lodge your tax return, and the amount you repay each year is calculated on your repayment income, which is your taxable income plus reportable fringe benefits and net investment losses.
Repayment Thresholds 2026-27
For the 2026-27 financial year, the minimum repayment threshold is $69,528. If your repayment income is below this, no repayment is required. The table below shows the full repayment rates:
- $69,528 – $79,585: 1%
- $79,585 – $90,046: 2%
- $90,046 – $100,844: 2.5%
- $100,844 – $112,448: 3%
- $112,448 – $125,844: 3.5%
- $125,844 – $129,717: 4%
- $129,717 – $137,920: 4.5%
- $137,920 – $155,853: 5%
- $155,853 – $175,471: 5.5%
- $175,471 – $186,050: 6%
- $186,050 – $203,910: 6.5%
- $203,910 – $223,314: 7%
- $223,314 – $244,832: 7.5%
- $244,832 – $268,430: 8%
- $268,430 – $294,417: 8.5%
- $294,417 – $322,929: 9%
- $322,929 – $354,217: 9.5%
- $354,217+: 10%
Example Repayments
Here's what a graduate on various incomes would repay annually in 2026-27:
- $70,000 income: 1% = $700 per year ($58/month)
- $90,000 income: 2.5% = $2,250 per year ($187/month)
- $110,000 income: 3% = $3,300 per year ($275/month)
- $150,000 income: 5.5% = $8,250 per year ($687/month)
How Long Does It Take to Repay HECS-HELP?
The time it takes to pay off your HELP debt depends on your income growth and repayment rate. An average HECS-HELP debt is around $25,000 to $30,000. On a $80,000 salary (2% rate), you'd repay about $1,600 per year, meaning it takes roughly 15-19 years to clear the debt. Higher earners pay it off much faster — a $120,000 earner repaying 3.5% would clear a $30,000 debt in about 7 years.
The Government applies indexation to HELP debts on 1 June each year, meaning your debt grows with inflation (the CPI rate) until you repay it. From 2024, indexation can be offset by a credit where inflation exceeds wage growth, protecting borrowers from rapid increases.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what income do I start repaying HECS-HELP?
In 2026-27, you start repaying when your repayment income exceeds $69,528. If your income is below this, no repayment is required.
What counts as repayment income?
Repayment income is your taxable income plus reportable fringe benefits and net investment losses. It's not simply your salary — rental losses and salary packaging can push you into a higher repayment band.
Can I make voluntary repayments?
Yes. Voluntary repayments of $500 or more attract a 10% bonus credit, which reduces your debt faster. You can make them through myGov or the ATO.
Does my HECS debt attract interest?
No interest is charged on HELP debts, but the debt is indexed each year on 1 June to keep pace with inflation. If your income is below the threshold, indexation still applies to your balance.
What happens to my HECS debt if I move overseas?
If you move overseas with a HELP debt, you're required to notify the ATO and make compulsory repayments based on your overseas income (unless exempted). Failing to do so can result in penalties.
Does a HECS debt affect my ability to get a mortgage?
Yes. Banks factor your HECS-HELP repayments into your borrowing capacity because they reduce your disposable income. A $30,000 debt at 4% means roughly $1,000 less per year you can service a home loan.