Calculate∑ What your result means
From 1 July 2025, HELP repayments use a marginal system: you only pay a percentage of the income you earn above each threshold, rather than a flat percentage of your whole income.
Australia HECS-HELP Student Loan Repayment Calculator
Estimate your compulsory annual repayment under the marginal HELP repayment system.
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Verified for 2026-27Methodology 2026-27.1 · reviewed 2026-08-08 · review by 2027-06-01
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Compare scenarios
Change annual taxable income to see how estimated annual compulsory repayment responds.
Understand your result
Clear context for the values above.
Estimated annual compulsory repayment
Estimated annual compulsory repayment is included so you can interpret this estimate and make a better-informed comparison.
Approx. weekly amount withheld
Approx. weekly amount withheld is included so you can interpret this estimate and make a better-informed comparison.
Years to clear at this rate
Years to clear at this rate is included so you can interpret this estimate and make a better-informed comparison.
Annual taxable income
Annual taxable income is included so you can interpret this estimate and make a better-informed comparison.
How to use this calculator
- 1Enter your current annual taxable income, remaining hecs-help debt.
- 2Review the headline estimated annual compulsory repayment and the supporting figures beside it.
- 3Change one input at a time to see which assumption has the biggest effect.
- 4Confirm current Australian rates and thresholds with an official source before acting.
Explore this calculator
What your result means →The headline estimated annual compulsory repayment is based on the inputs currently shown above.Key terms explained →Review the key terms and figures used to calculate this result.How to use this calculator →Enter your figures, review the live result, compare scenarios, then save or print your estimate.The calculation formula →The calculation follows the standard formula for this calculator. Results update whenever an input changes.Worked example →Using the current values produces $821.Assumptions and limitations →Review the assumptions used to produce this estimate before relying on it.Costs or factors not included →Review any costs, fees or rules not automatically included before making a decision.Frequently asked questions →How accurate is this estimate? What should I check before relying on it? Can I save or share the result?
▦ How this calculator works
No repayment is due below $69,528. Between $69,528 and $129,717, 15% is charged on the portion of income in that band. Above $129,717, an additional 17% applies to income above that threshold (up to $186,050), on top of the 15% already calculated on the band below; above $186,050 the repayment is a flat 10% of total income.
◇ Assumptions and what's not included
Indexation added to your debt balance each year, voluntary repayments, and future threshold changes (thresholds are indexed annually) are not modelled — the 'years to clear' figure assumes today's balance, income and thresholds stay constant.
▤ What to do next
Use this to estimate the automatic withholding your employer will apply, and check the ATO's HELP balance and indexation figures each year for your actual outstanding debt.
Australia-specific contextFigures use AUD and current published rates and thresholds.
Reviewed for clarityUpdated 3 August 2026.
ImportantFor planning and educational use — not tax, legal or financial advice.
Your privacy mattersInputs stay in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the old flat-rate HECS system?+
No, this uses the new marginal repayment system introduced from 1 July 2025, which generally results in lower repayments than the old flat-percentage system for the same income.
Does my debt still grow with indexation?+
Yes, outstanding HELP debt is indexed annually (linked to CPI or wage growth, whichever is lower), which isn't included in the years-to-clear estimate.
Can I make voluntary repayments?+
Yes, voluntary repayments can be made at any time and reduce your balance directly, on top of the compulsory repayments withheld from your pay.
Does this apply to all HELP loan types?+
The marginal repayment system applies to HECS-HELP and other HELP loan types (like FEE-HELP) in the same way, based on total combined debt.
Official references
Rules and thresholds used by this calculator are labelled for 2026–27 or formula-labelled period. Review the primary guidance before making a filing, borrowing, benefit or investment decision.
Last source review: 3 August 2026. Calculator results are estimates and may exclude circumstances described in the methodology.