🇦🇺 HECS-HELP: Calculator

Estimate your Australian HECS-HELP compulsory repayment for 2026-27.

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$
ANNUAL COMPULSORY REPAYMENT
$0
Based on 2026-27 marginal repayment rates
Effective Rate
0%
Remaining Balance After This Year
$0

How HECS-HELP Repayments Are Calculated

From the 2025-26 income year onwards, compulsory HECS-HELP (and other HELP loan) repayments use a marginal system, similar to income tax — you only repay a percentage of the income above each threshold, not your entire income once you cross it.

$0 – $69,528: Nil
$69,528 – $129,717: 15% of income above $69,528
$129,717 – $186,050: $9,028.35 plus 17% of income above $129,717
Above $186,050: a flat 10% of your total repayment income

Why the Top Band Is a Flat 10%, Not a Higher Marginal Rate

The marginal calculation is designed so the repayment never exceeds 10% of your total repayment income — at exactly $186,050, the marginal formula and a flat 10% of total income produce the same result, so above that point the ATO simply applies flat 10% instead of continuing to add higher marginal bands.

The Old System vs. the New Marginal System

Before this change, crossing a repayment threshold meant a single percentage applied to your entire income, creating a "cliff" where a small pay rise could sharply increase your total repayment. The marginal system removes that cliff by only taxing the income within each band.

📎 Related Tools: Income Tax Calculator Salary Calculator Medicare Levy Calculator Student Loan Calculator

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum income before I have to start repaying HECS-HELP?
For the 2026-27 income year, you don't need to make a compulsory repayment unless your repayment income is above $69,528.
How is HECS-HELP repayment calculated now that it's 'marginal'?
Since 2025-26, HELP repayments are calculated only on the income above each threshold — you pay 15% of the amount between $69,528 and $129,717, then 17% of the amount between $129,717 and $186,050, with a 10% cap on your total repayment income above that.
Does this calculator include indexation on my loan balance?
No. This calculator estimates your compulsory annual repayment based on your income only. Your remaining HECS-HELP balance is separately adjusted each year by indexation (linked to inflation or wage growth, whichever is lower, under recent reforms), which isn't modeled here.
Can I make voluntary repayments in addition to compulsory ones?
Yes. You can make voluntary payments directly to the ATO at any time to pay down your HELP balance faster, on top of the compulsory repayment calculated from your income each year.
Does 'repayment income' mean my taxable income?
Repayment income is based on your taxable income but adds back certain amounts like reportable fringe benefits, total net investment losses, and reportable super contributions — so it can be higher than your taxable income alone.

🏆 About This Tool — Accuracy & Trust

🔒 Data Privacy: All calculations run entirely within your browser using JavaScript. Nothing you enter here is ever transmitted to our servers, stored, sold, or shared.

📐 Accuracy Note: This tool uses standard, widely published formulas and guidelines. Results are estimates for informational purposes; for financial, medical, or engineering decisions, consult a licensed professional.

📅 Last Updated: September 2026.