HECS-HELP Repayment Calculator 2026-27

Calculate your compulsory HECS-HELP student loan repayment based on your income. This calculator uses official ATO repayment thresholds and rates for the current and previous financial years. Enter your repayment income to see how much you'll need to repay.

2026-27 HELP rates: The ATO has published the 2026-27 repayment table (minimum threshold $$69,528). From 1 July 2025 repayments use a simplified marginal system: you pay only on income above the minimum threshold, except the top band which is 10% of total repayment income.
$
Your taxable income plus reportable fringe benefits, net investment losses, and reportable super contributions.
$
Enter your current debt to estimate years to repay.

Understanding HECS-HELP Repayments

Your HECS-HELP debt is repaid through the Australian tax system. Once your income exceeds the minimum threshold, a percentage is withheld from your pay or calculated when you lodge your tax return.

Current Thresholds

$2026-27

$$69,528

Current Year

$2025-26

$$67,000

Previous Year

Repayment Rate Tables

$2026-27 Repayment Rates (ATO published)
Repayment IncomeRepayment on this income
$0 – $69,528Nil
$69,529 – $129,71715c for each $1 over $69,528
$129,718 – $186,050$9,028 plus 17c for each $1 over $129,717
$186,051 and over10% of your total repayment income
$2025-26 Repayment Rates (ATO published)
Repayment IncomeRepayment on this income
$0 – $67,000Nil
$67,001 – $125,00015c for each $1 over $67,000
$125,001 – $179,285$8,700 plus 17c for each $1 over $125,000
$179,286 and over10% of your total repayment income
2024-25 Repayment Rates (flat rate system)
Repayment IncomeRate
$0 – $54,434Nil
$54,435 – $62,8501.0% of repayment income
$62,851 – $66,6202.0% of repayment income
$66,621 – $70,6182.5% of repayment income
$70,619 – $74,8553.0% of repayment income
$74,856 – $79,3463.5% of repayment income
$79,347 – $84,1074.0% of repayment income
$84,108 – $89,1544.5% of repayment income
$89,155 – $94,5035.0% of repayment income
$94,504 – $100,1745.5% of repayment income
$100,175 – $106,1856.0% of repayment income
$106,186 – $112,5566.5% of repayment income
$112,557 – $119,3097.0% of repayment income
$119,310 – $126,4677.5% of repayment income
$126,468 – $134,0568.0% of repayment income
$134,057 – $142,1008.5% of repayment income
$142,101 – $150,6269.0% of repayment income
$150,627 – $159,6639.5% of repayment income
$159,664 and above10.0% of repayment income

Related Calculators

Want to see your complete tax picture? Use ourTake-Home Pay Calculator to calculate your net income after tax, Medicare levy, and HECS repayment combined. For resident income tax only — including a bracket split, marginal rate and average rate — use the income tax calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HECS-HELP?

HECS-HELP (Higher Education Contribution Scheme - Higher Education Loan Program) is an Australian Government loan scheme that helps eligible students pay their university tuition fees. You only start repaying your HECS debt once your income exceeds the minimum repayment threshold ($69,528 for 2026-27).

How is my HECS repayment calculated?

Your compulsory HECS repayment is calculated based on your "repayment income" (RI), which includes your taxable income plus other amounts like reportable fringe benefits, net investment losses, and reportable super contributions. The repayment is deducted through the tax system, either via PAYG withholding from your employer or when you lodge your tax return.

From 1 July 2025: Australia uses a marginal rate system where each rate only applies to income within that bracket, similar to income tax. This prevents large "cliff" jumps in repayments when your income increases slightly.

What is the HECS repayment threshold for ${currentTaxYear.fiscalYearLabel}?

For the 2026-27 financial year, the minimum repayment threshold is $69,528. If your repayment income is below this amount, you won't have a compulsory HECS repayment. The threshold is adjusted annually to account for changes in average weekly earnings.

How is my HECS debt indexed?

Your HECS-HELP debt is indexed on 1 June each year to maintain its real value. Since 2023, indexation is capped at the lower of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Wage Price Index (WPI). This change was introduced to reduce the impact of high inflation on student debts. The exact indexation rate varies each year and is published by the ATO.

Can I make voluntary repayments?

Yes, you can make voluntary repayments at any time through the ATO. Since 1 January 2022, there is no bonus or discount for voluntary repayments (the previous 5% bonus was removed). However, making extra payments can help reduce your debt faster and the amount of indexation applied to your balance.

What is the marginal repayment rate system?

From 1 July 2025, HECS-HELP moved to a marginal repayment rate system. Previously, if you earned even $1 above a threshold, the higher rate applied to your entire income. Now, each rate only applies to the portion of income within that bracket. This means a small pay rise won't cause a disproportionately large jump in your repayment, making the system fairer and more predictable.