HECS-HELP Repayment Calculator 2026–27
Work out your compulsory HELP repayment under the new marginal system, and see roughly how long until your debt is gone.
| Year | Income | Repayment | Balance after |
|---|
Printed from CalcMate (calcmate-au.pages.dev/hecs-help-repayment-calculator/). Estimates only, not financial advice.
How HELP repayments work in 2026–27
Since the 2025–26 income year, compulsory HELP repayments use a marginal system. You only repay a percentage of the income above the threshold, not a percentage of your whole income. That ends the old "cliff" where earning $1 more could cost you thousands in repayments.
| Repayment income (2026–27) | Compulsory repayment |
|---|---|
| $0 – $69,528 | Nil |
| $69,529 – $129,717 | 15c for each $1 over $69,528 |
| $129,718 – $186,050 | $9,028 plus 17c for each $1 over $129,717 |
| $186,051 and over | 10% of total repayment income |
Source: Australian Taxation Office, study and training loan repayment thresholds and rates for 2026–27.
What counts as repayment income?
Repayment income is your taxable income plus any reportable fringe benefits, total net investment losses (such as negative gearing losses), reportable super contributions and exempt foreign employment income. If you salary-sacrifice into super or have a rental loss, your repayment income can be higher than your taxable income.
Indexation
On 1 June each year, your outstanding HELP balance is indexed. Indexation is now the lower of CPI or the Wage Price Index. The rate applied on 1 June 2026 was 2.8%. The calculator uses this as a default for future years, and you can change it.
About the projection
The year-by-year table assumes your pay rises by the rate you enter, that the thresholds rise at about the same rate, and that you make no voluntary repayments. Your employer usually withholds HELP from each pay, and the ATO settles the exact amount when you lodge your tax return, so the "per fortnight" figure is only a rough guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HELP repayment threshold for 2026–27?
$69,528. If your repayment income is at or below this, no compulsory repayment is due for the year.
How much HECS will I repay on $100,000?
On a repayment income of $100,000 in 2026–27, the compulsory repayment is 15% of the $30,472 above the threshold, which is about $4,571 for the year.
Does HELP debt charge interest?
No. HELP debts don't charge interest, but the balance is indexed each 1 June to keep pace with inflation. The rate was 2.8% in 2026.
Should I make voluntary repayments?
Voluntary repayments reduce your balance immediately and avoid future indexation on that amount. Whether it makes sense depends on your other debts and savings goals, so consider getting personal financial advice.
Last reviewed October 2026. This calculator gives an estimate for general information only. Check important figures with the relevant government agency or a licensed professional.