HECS-HELP Repayment Calculator
Estimate compulsory repayments, project how long a HELP balance may take to clear, and see whether a voluntary repayment materially changes the timeline.
HECS-HELP Inputs
Tax rates and thresholds vary by year
Indexation Assumption
HELP debt is indexed each 1 June. The current ATO-published rate in our defaults is 3.2%.
If your loan balance existed on 1 June 2025, enter your current ATO balance after any legislated 20% reduction has already been applied.
HECS-HELP Inputs
Tax rates and thresholds vary by year
Indexation Assumption
HELP debt is indexed each 1 June. The current ATO-published rate in our defaults is 3.2%.
If your loan balance existed on 1 June 2025, enter your current ATO balance after any legislated 20% reduction has already been applied.
Compulsory repayment
$3,450
15c per dollar above $67,000
Indexation timing matters
HELP debt is indexed on 1 June each year. Voluntary repayments made before indexation reduce the balance that gets indexed.
Payoff schedule
First 10 years of the projection using today's income and indexation assumptions.
| Year | Opening | Indexation | Repayment | Closing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $32,000 | +$1,024 | -$3,450 | $29,574 |
| 2 | $29,574 | +$946 | -$3,450 | $27,070 |
| 3 | $27,070 | +$866 | -$3,450 | $24,487 |
| 4 | $24,487 | +$784 | -$3,450 | $21,820 |
| 5 | $21,820 | +$698 | -$3,450 | $19,068 |
| 6 | $19,068 | +$610 | -$3,450 | $16,229 |
| 7 | $16,229 | +$519 | -$3,450 | $13,298 |
| 8 | $13,298 | +$426 | -$3,450 | $10,273 |
| 9 | $10,273 | +$329 | -$3,450 | $7,152 |
| 10 | $7,152 | +$229 | -$3,450 | $3,931 |
How HELP repayment planning works
Repayment income drives the compulsory amount
Your compulsory HELP repayment is based on repayment income, not just taxable salary. For most employees, gross salary is a good first approximation, but reportable fringe benefits and other adjustments can also matter.
Indexation can materially extend payoff time
HELP debt is indexed annually on 1 June. Even relatively small indexation rates compound when your compulsory repayment only modestly exceeds the indexed amount.
Voluntary repayments are mainly about reducing indexed balance
A voluntary repayment does not change the ATO threshold table, but it can reduce the balance that gets indexed each year. The biggest benefit usually comes when it meaningfully shortens the time your debt remains outstanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the compulsory HECS repayment calculated?
The calculator applies the selected financial year's HELP repayment table to your annual repayment income. For 2025–26, compulsory repayments start at $67,000 and follow the ATO's current marginal-style formulas, with high earners capped at 10% of total repayment income.
Does this include annual indexation?
Yes. The payoff projection applies the chosen annual indexation rate on 1 June before subtracting that year's compulsory repayment estimate. This mirrors the way HELP debt is indexed before your tax assessment clears the compulsory amount.
What does the voluntary repayment model assume?
It treats the voluntary repayment as an immediate lump-sum reduction to your current balance, then reruns the same year-by-year projection. That lets you compare payoff time with and without the extra payment.
Should I include the 2025 HELP debt reduction in my balance?
Enter the balance currently shown by the ATO or in myGov. If your debt existed on 1 June 2025, any legislated 20% reduction should already be reflected in that current balance rather than added separately here.
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