Free HECS-HELP repayment calculator. Enter your income and HELP debt balance to see your compulsory annual repayment amount based on current ATO thresholds. Estimates how many years to fully repay your student loan at your current income level.
Taxable income + net investment loss + reportable fringe benefits
Current outstanding balance
Annual Compulsory Repayment
$0
$0 per fortnight
Repayment Rate
0.0%
Below repayment threshold
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HECS-HELP (Higher Education Contribution Scheme - Higher Education Loan Program) is Australia's government student loan scheme. Repayments are income-contingent, meaning you only repay once your income exceeds a minimum threshold. The repayment is collected through the tax system as part of your annual tax assessment or through PAYG withholding from your employer.
For FY 2024-25, no repayment is required if your repayment income is below $54,435. Above this threshold, repayment rates range from 1% to 10% of your total repayment income. The rates increase in small increments across multiple income bands.
The repayment thresholds apply to all HELP loans including HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, OS-HELP, SA-HELP, VET Student Loans, and the former Student Financial Supplement Scheme (SFSS). All outstanding balances are combined into a single HELP debt for repayment purposes.
You start making compulsory repayments through the tax system once your repayment income exceeds the minimum threshold, which is $54,435 for FY 2024-25. Your employer withholds the repayment from your pay if you've indicated you have a HELP debt on your TFN declaration.
Repayment income includes your taxable income, plus any total net investment loss (negative gearing), reportable fringe benefits, reportable super contributions, and exempt foreign employment income. It's usually higher than your taxable income alone.
Yes, HELP debts are indexed annually on 1 June based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). However, from 1 June 2023, indexation was capped at the lower of CPI or the Wage Price Index (WPI) to prevent debt growing faster than wages.
Yes, you can make voluntary repayments at any time through the ATO. There used to be a 10% bonus for voluntary repayments of $500 or more, but this was removed from 1 January 2012. Voluntary repayments still reduce your balance faster.
If you move overseas, you're still required to make repayments. You must lodge a worldwide income notification with the ATO each year and make repayments based on your worldwide income if it exceeds the repayment threshold.
Sources & methodology
This hecs calculator uses ATO rates, thresholds, and offsets current for the FY 2025–26 financial year. Figures are computed in your browser — nothing you enter is stored or sent to a server.
Authoritative sources
Reviewed by Bishal Shrestha — Founder of OneBookPlus, 10+ years building tools with Australian tax-agent and BAS-agent practices. Last reviewed and updated: May 2026.
Disclaimer: This calculator produces estimates only and is not tax advice. Tax outcomes depend on your individual circumstances. For decisions that affect your tax position, consult a registered tax agent or the ATO directly.
OneBookPlus handles invoicing, GST tracking, BAS prep, and ATO lodgement automatically.
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