HECS-HELP repayment calculator 2026–27

Your compulsory repayment under the new marginal system, the amount withheld from each pay, and the year your HELP debt ends once indexation, extra repayments and pay rises are counted. Uses the ATO’s 2026–27 thresholds and the 2.8% indexation applied on 1 June 2026.

Your 2026–27 compulsory repayment

Repayment income

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Compulsory repayment for the year

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Withheld from each pay (estimate)

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2026–27 thresholds: nil up to $69,528; 15c per dollar from $69,529 to $129,717; 17c per dollar above; 10% of your whole repayment income from $186,051 (why $186,051). Your employer’s withholding is only a pre-payment: the ATO works out the real amount when you lodge your return.

2. Your debt and pay-off date

HELP balance today (A$)

From the ATO app or myGov: Tax › Accounts › Loan accounts.

Your 2025–26 tax return

If not assessed yet, its repayment will come off before the next 1 June.

Extra repayments and pay rise

One-off voluntary repayment now (A$)

Voluntary repayment every year before 1 June (A$)

One-off pay rise (%)

For example 10 for a promotion worth +10%.

Pay rise starts in income year

Assumptions for future years

Yearly pay growth (%)

Default: same as the thresholds, so your pay keeps pace with average earnings.

Indexation from 1 June 2027 (%)

2026 rate: 2.8%. History.

Threshold growth after 2026–27 (%)

Indexed to average weekly earnings. 2026–27 rise: 3.8%.

When your HELP debt is paid off

Total you repay

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Total indexation added

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Repayment years

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Year-by-year table

Projected HELP balance each 1 June
Before 1 June	Return assessed	Repayment income	Compulsory	Voluntary	Indexation	Balance after

Rates marked * are assumptions: the ATO publishes each year’s rate shortly before 1 June. Assumes you lodge each return on time (by 31 October), take on no new study debt and remain an Australian resident.

Estimate only. Figures use the ATO’s published thresholds, rates and formulas. Your notice of assessment from the ATO is the only authoritative figure. This is not financial or tax advice. Read the disclaimer.

What you repay at common incomes (2026–27)

Repayment income = your whole repayment income, not just salary. Fortnightly figure = the ATO Schedule 8 amount for a single job paying that income evenly, tax-free threshold claimed.

Compulsory repayment and fortnightly withholding by income, 2026–27
Repayment income	Compulsory repayment	Share of income	Withheld per fortnight
$75,000	$820.80	1.1%	$32
$90,000	$3,070.80	3.4%	$118
$110,000	$6,070.80	5.5%	$234
$130,000	$9,076.46	7.0%	$350
$160,000	$14,176.46	8.9%	$546
$200,000	$20,000.00	10.0%	$770

More incomes, and the old 2024–25 rates for comparison: 2026–27 thresholds and repayment table.

How the calculator works

Repayment income adds taxable income, reportable super contributions, reportable fringe benefits, net investment losses and exempt foreign employment income (HESA s154-5).
Compulsory repayment is the lowest of three amounts (HESA s154-20): 15% of income between $69,528 and $129,717 plus 17% of income above $129,717; 10% of your whole repayment income; and your remaining debt.
Withholding uses the ATO’s Schedule 8 formula for payments from 1 July 2026. It depends on each pay, not your yearly total, so a bonus or a second job changes it.
Projection: each year’s compulsory repayment comes off your balance when that year’s return is assessed. It therefore lands before the following 1 June, when indexation is applied and cents are dropped. Voluntary repayments made before 1 June escape that year’s indexation.

What the projection cannot know: future indexation rates, future thresholds, and your future income. They are set to the latest published figures and can be changed under “Assumptions”. Rules the calculator leaves out: new study debts, overseas levy, and the very remote teacher, doctor and nurse practitioner reductions.

Frequently asked questions

How much HECS do I repay on a $100,000 salary in 2026–27?

If $100,000 is your whole repayment income, the compulsory repayment is 15% of the part above $69,528: 15% × $30,472 = $4,570.80. Salary-sacrificed super, reportable fringe benefits and net investment losses are added back first, so check your repayment income.

Why doesn’t my HECS balance go down after each pay?

The extra tax your employer withholds is a pre-payment of tax, not a loan repayment. The ATO only credits your loan once your tax return is assessed, as one lump sum. That is why your balance can rise on 1 June (indexation) before your repayment for the year is applied.

Is there still a big jump in repayments when I cross a threshold?

No. Since 2025–26 the repayment is worked out only on income above the threshold (15c, then 17c per dollar), capped at 10% of your whole repayment income. Crossing $69,528 by one dollar costs 15 cents, not thousands. Under the old system, crossing a threshold applied the new rate to your whole income.

Do voluntary repayments reduce my compulsory repayment?

No. Voluntary repayments come off your balance, but the compulsory repayment for the year is still worked out from your income (unless your remaining debt is smaller than it). Their benefit is less indexation and an earlier end to the debt. See when paying early makes sense.

When is indexation added, and what was the latest rate?

On 1 June each year, to the part of the debt unpaid for more than 11 months. The rate on 1 June 2026 was 2.8%. Full history since 2013, including the 2023 and 2024 corrections.

I earn under the threshold. Do I pay anything?

Not in compulsory repayments: at $69,528 or less of repayment income in 2026–27 there is nothing to pay. Your balance is still indexed each 1 June. You may also be exempt if, because of a low family income with a spouse or dependants, you pay no Medicare levy or a reduced one (HESA s154-1(2)).

Official sources

Study and training loan repayment thresholds and rates — ATO, page updated 30 June 2026.
Schedule 8 – Statement of formulas for calculating study and training support loans components (payments from 1 July 2026) — ATO, applies to payments from 1 July 2026.
Study and training loan indexation rates — ATO, page updated 17 April 2026.
Compulsory repayments — ATO, page updated 3 June 2026.
Loan repayments — studyassist.gov.au (Department of Education), page updated 25 May 2026.
Higher Education Support Act 2003 – compilation C2026C00297 (ss 140-5 to 140-30, 154-1 to 154-25) — Federal Register of Legislation, compilation in force from 1 July 2026.

All pages checked on 29 September 2026.

Page updated 29 September 2026.