Tax · FY 2025-26
HECS/HELP repayment calculator
Plug in your income and HELP balance — see your compulsory repayment, your effective rate, and the year you're debt-free.
Projected total paid
$28,113
Total compulsory repayments over the life of the debt, assuming your inputs hold. Includes indexation absorbed along the way.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the HECS repayment threshold for 2025-26?
The minimum repayment income threshold for FY 2025-26 is $67,000. Below this, your compulsory repayment is $0.
Does HECS get indexed every year?
Yes — your outstanding HELP debt is indexed on 1 June each year by the lower of CPI or the Wage Price Index, under reforms passed in 2024.
Should I pay extra off my HECS?
Generally no. HECS has no interest — only indexation — and the real cost is usually lower than investing the same money in shares or paying down a mortgage. But it depends on your circumstances.
Does HECS affect my borrowing capacity?
Yes. Lenders treat compulsory HECS repayments as ongoing expenses, which reduces how much they'll lend you for a mortgage.
What's the difference between HECS and HELP?
Same scheme, different name. HECS-HELP covers Commonwealth-supported university places; FEE-HELP covers full-fee places. Repayment rules are identical.
A note on indexation
HELP debts are indexed on 1 June each year — under 2024 reforms, by the lower of CPI or the Wage Price Index. There is no interest. Your repayments are taken via PAYG and reconciled at tax time, so paying extra during the year doesn't reduce your assessed repayment.