What is a HECS/HELP repayment?

HECS-HELP is the Australian government loan that covers university tuition. You repay it through the tax system once your income passes a set threshold — there's no separate bill. The amount is compulsory and based on your income for the year, not on how much you choose to pay.

What is the HELP repayment threshold for 2025-26?

$67,000. If your repayment income is at or below $67,000 in 2025-26, you have no compulsory repayment for the year. Above it, you repay a percentage of the income over the threshold.

How is the 2025-26 repayment calculated?

From 1 July 2025 repayments are marginal — charged only on income above the threshold. In 2025-26: 15% of income between $67,001 and $125,000; $8,700 plus 17% of income between $125,001 and $179,285; and at $179,286 or more, a flat 10% of your whole repayment income.

What income is the repayment based on?

Your repayment income — taxable income plus a few add-backs (reportable fringe benefits, reportable super contributions, net investment losses and exempt foreign income). Most wage earners have none of those, so it's roughly your salary.

Does this pay off my whole debt?

No. This is the compulsory repayment for one year, normally collected through your tax. It doesn't include voluntary repayments or the annual indexation applied to your remaining balance, so it isn't a full payoff estimate.

HECS/HELP Repayment Calculator — Australia (2025-26)

See your compulsory HECS/HELP repayment for the FY2025-26 financial year. Enter your repayment income (roughly your salary) to get the amount for the year and per pay period, using Australia's marginal repayment rates.

Annual repayment income

Repayment income ≈ your taxable income (plus a few add-backs most people don't have). For most wage earners that's about your salary.

Show repayment per

Compulsory HELP repayment per year

FY2025-26

$0.00

$0.00 per year · 0.0% of income

Your repayment income is at or below the $67,000 threshold — no compulsory repayment this year.

How it's worked out

Repayment income$0.00

Repayment threshold$67,000.00

Income above threshold$0.00

Compulsory repayment (year)$0.00

Repayment by period

Per year$0.00Per month$0.00Per fortnight$0.00Per week$0.00

This is your compulsory repayment for the year, normally collected through the tax system — not a separate bill. It doesn't include any voluntary repayments or indexation of your remaining balance.

Source & currency. FY2025-26 HELP repayment thresholds and rates (Australian resident). From 1 July 2025 repayments use a marginal system, legislated by the Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Act 2025. Verified against the ATO on 2026-06-30. FY2026-27 figures are not yet published by the ATO.

Assumptions. Australian resident with a HELP/HECS debt · repayment income (taxable income + add-backs) · compulsory repayment only · excludes voluntary repayments, debt indexation, your loan balance, and other study loans (e.g. SFSS) · per-period figures are rounded and may not sum exactly to the annual total.

Disclaimer. This calculator provides a general estimate of your compulsory HELP repayment for FY2025-26 only and is not financial, taxation, or legal advice. It is based on repayment income for an Australian resident and doesn't account for your personal circumstances. Your repayment income can be higher than your salary, and the result excludes indexation and your outstanding balance, so it is not a payoff estimate. Rates and thresholds change each year. Your figures are calculated in your browser and aren't sent anywhere. For advice specific to your situation, check the ATO or consult a registered tax agent.

Frequently asked questions

What is a HECS/HELP repayment?: HECS-HELP is the Australian government loan that covers university tuition. You repay it through the tax system once your income passes a set threshold — there's no separate bill. The amount is compulsory and based on your income for the year, not on how much you choose to pay.
What is the HELP repayment threshold for 2025-26?: $67,000. If your repayment income is at or below $67,000 in 2025-26, you have no compulsory repayment for the year. Above it, you repay a percentage of the income over the threshold.
How is the 2025-26 repayment calculated?: From 1 July 2025 repayments are marginal — charged only on income above the threshold. In 2025-26: 15% of income between $67,001 and $125,000; $8,700 plus 17% of income between $125,001 and $179,285; and at $179,286 or more, a flat 10% of your whole repayment income.
What income is the repayment based on?: Your repayment income — taxable income plus a few add-backs (reportable fringe benefits, reportable super contributions, net investment losses and exempt foreign income). Most wage earners have none of those, so it's roughly your salary.
Does this pay off my whole debt?: No. This is the compulsory repayment for one year, normally collected through your tax. It doesn't include voluntary repayments or the annual indexation applied to your remaining balance, so it isn't a full payoff estimate.