HECS-HELP Repayment Calculator Australia

Estimate the required 2025–26 HELP debt payment. The new method charges only the part of income above each limit.

Estimated compulsory repayment

$0.00

Remaining debt after repayment
Not entered
Repayment as a share of income
0.00%

2025–26 estimate before indexation (the yearly debt increase) or extra payments you choose to make.

The 2025–26 HELP system changed

From 2025–26, compulsory HELP repayments use a marginal calculation under the supplied rules. That means the rate is applied only to income above a threshold in the first two repayment bands. Many older calculators still show the former slab approach, which applied a percentage to total repayment income.

How to use the HECS-HELP repayment calculator

  1. Enter annual repayment income, which can differ from taxable income.
  2. Optionally enter the current HELP debt.
  3. Calculate the compulsory repayment.
  4. Review the estimated remaining debt, capped so the repayment cannot exceed the debt entered.

2025–26 marginal repayment rates

Repayment incomeCompulsory repayment
$0–$67,000Nil
$67,001–$125,00015c per $1 over $67,000
$125,001–$179,285$8,700 + 17c per $1 over $125,000
$179,286 and above10% of total repayment income

Worked example: $100,000 repayment income

The first $67,000 has no compulsory repayment. The remaining $33,000 is charged at 15 cents per dollar, producing an estimated repayment of $4,950. This illustrates why using the new marginal method matters.

HELP debt indexation

The supplied 2025–26 indexation figure is 3.2%. Indexation is separate from the compulsory repayment calculation and is not added by this tool. Timing, the debt balance subject to indexation and legislative adjustments can affect the actual balance.

Benefits of using the current marginal method

  • Avoid estimates based on outdated whole-income slabs.
  • Plan take-home cash flow more accurately.
  • See how a compulsory repayment may reduce a stated debt.
  • Compare HELP obligations with estimated PAYG tax.

Disclaimer: this is a general 2025–26 estimate. Repayment income can include amounts not shown in taxable income, and the actual assessment is determined through the tax system.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2025–26 HELP system still a slab system?

No. The supplied 2025–26 rules use a new marginal system.

Is repayment income the same as taxable income?

Not always. Repayment income can include adjustments such as reportable amounts, so use the correct figure for an official decision.

Does indexation change the compulsory repayment?

Indexation changes the debt balance; the compulsory repayment is calculated from repayment income.

Can the repayment exceed my HELP debt?

The calculator caps the displayed repayment at the optional debt balance entered.

Use the updated rules for 2025–26

A current threshold and method are essential. Recheck the rates each financial year, then combine the result with the PAYG Tax Calculator for a broader estimate.