HELP repayment income: what counts

Worked examples (2026–27)

Salary sacrifice

Salary $95,000, of which $10,000 is salary-sacrificed into super. Taxable income: $85,000. Repayment income: $85,000 + $10,000 = $95,000. Compulsory repayment: $3,820.80 — the same as without the sacrifice ($3,820.80).

Negative gearing

Salary $100,000, net rental loss $12,000. Taxable income: $88,000. Repayment income: $100,000. Compulsory repayment: $4,570.80.

The ATO’s example (Christina)

Taxable income $60,470, fringe benefits $5,400, net investment loss $1,330, reportable super $16,500, exempt foreign employment income $2,680: repayment income $86,380. Her taxable income alone is under the $69,528 threshold, yet she repays $2,527.80.

Why withholding can be wrong

Your employer only sees your pay. It withholds the study loan component from each pay using the ATO’s Schedule 8 formula, which knows nothing about your fringe benefits, investment losses, other jobs or salary sacrifice. The ATO settles the difference when your return is assessed:

• withheld too much (for example you finished the year under the threshold) — refunded with your tax refund;
• withheld too little (second job, investment losses added back) — you receive a bill.

With two employers, you need to tell each one about your study loan (studyassist.gov.au). The total withheld can still differ from the assessed amount. The calculator shows both side by side.

Living overseas

Non-residents repay on worldwide income: repayment income plus foreign-sourced income, converted to Australian dollars. See HECS debt and moving overseas.