// STUDENT DEBT

HECS / HELP
Repayment Calculator

See exactly how much you'll repay this year, how long your HELP debt will take to clear, and how much indexation will cost you over time. Uses ATO FY2024–25 repayment thresholds.

// YOUR_DETAILS

Enter your HELP balance and income details.

Current HELP / HECS debt$28,000

Current gross income$72,000

Expected annual income growth3.0%

HELP indexation rate (CPI)3.0%

FY2024 was 4.7% (exceptional). FY2025 estimate ~3.0%. Applied 1 June each year.

Current age24

💡You're $2,856 below the next repayment band (4%). If your income crosses $74,856, your repayment jumps to $2,620/yr.

// REPAYMENT_BANDS_FY2024–25

$54,435 – $62,8501.0%

$62,851 – $66,6202.0%

$66,621 – $70,6182.5%

$70,619 – $74,8553.0%

$74,856 – $79,3463.5%

$79,347 – $84,1074.0%

$84,108 – $88,7564.5%

$88,757 – $93,9695.0%

$93,970 – $99,9965.5%

$99,997 – $105,9966.0%

$105,997 – $112,3556.5%

$112,356 – $119,0977.0%

$119,098 – $126,9437.5%

$126,944 – $134,9598.0%

$134,960 – $143,2578.5%

$143,258 – $151,2009.0%

$151,201 – $159,7429.5%

$159,743 – +10.0%

This year's repayment

$2,160

$42/wk · $83/fn

Repayment rate

3.0%

of gross income

Years to repay

Debt-free at age 35

Total repaid

$33,557

principal + indexation

Total indexation cost

$5,557

at 3.0% p.a.

Effective extra cost

20%

indexation as % of original debt

// DEBT_BALANCE_OVER_TIME

Outstanding Balance

Annual Repayment

// YEAR_BY_YEAR_BREAKDOWN

Age / Year	Income	Rate	Indexation	Repayment	Balance
25 yr 1	$72,000	3.0%	+$840	−$2,160	$26,680
26 yr 2	$74,160	3.0%	+$800	−$2,225	$25,255
27 yr 3	$76,385	3.5%	+$758	−$2,673	$23,340
28 yr 4	$78,676	3.5%	+$700	−$2,754	$21,286
29 yr 5	$81,037	4.0%	+$639	−$3,241	$18,684
30 yr 6	$83,468	4.0%	+$561	−$3,339	$15,905
31 yr 7	$85,972	4.5%	+$477	−$3,869	$12,514
32 yr 8	$88,551	4.5%	+$375	−$3,985	$8,904
33 yr 9	$91,207	5.0%	+$267	−$4,560	$4,611
34 yr 10	$93,944	5.0%	+$138	−$4,697	$52
35 yr 11	$96,762	5.5%	+$2	−$54	✓ Cleared

Repayment amounts are calculated using ATO FY2024–25 thresholds on taxable income. Indexation is applied each 1 June to the outstanding balance. Actual repayments are collected via your tax return or PAYG withholding. Not financial advice.

How does HECS-HELP repayment work in Australia?

HELP debt (previously called HECS) is repaid through the tax system once your repayment income exceeds the minimum threshold — $54,435 for FY2024–25. There are no monthly bills and no interest charges, but your debt is indexed to CPI each 1 June, which increases the balance in real terms.

What counts as repayment income?

Your repayment income is your taxable income plus any reportable fringe benefits, total net investment losses, and reportable employer super contributions. Salary sacrificing into super reduces your taxable income and can therefore reduce your HELP repayment — a legitimate strategy for some.

Is voluntary repayment worth it?

The government removed the 5% voluntary repayment bonus in 2017. Since HELP debt is CPI-indexed rather than interest-bearing, voluntary repayments are only beneficial if CPI exceeds the return you'd earn by investing the same money. In high-inflation years like FY2024 (4.7%), clearing debt early is more attractive. In lower-inflation years, investing may win.

What happens if I move overseas?

Since 2017, Australians living overseas with HELP debt must make repayments based on their worldwide income above the overseas repayment threshold. Obligations are assessed annually via the ATO.

Can my employer withhold extra for HELP?

Yes. You can ask your employer to withhold additional tax to cover your HELP repayment so you don't face a bill at tax time. Alternatively, your tax return will calculate the exact repayment and any gap becomes a liability.

Does HELP debt affect borrowing capacity?

Yes — significantly. Lenders assess your repayment obligation as a recurring liability. At $80,000 income, a $3,200/yr HELP repayment reduces your assessable income by that amount in most mortgage serviceability calculations.

What is the HELP debt limit?

The FY2025 HELP loan limit is $121,844 for most students, and $174,998 for medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science. These limits apply across your entire HELP lifetime.

// INCOME_TAX

See your full take-home pay after tax, Medicare levy, and HELP repayment combined.

Income Tax Calculator →

// SALARY_SACRIFICE

Salary sacrificing into super reduces your taxable income — and your HELP repayment.

Salary Sacrifice →

HECS / HELPRepayment Calculator