HECS/HELP Repayment Calculator

Calculate your mandatory HECS/HELP repayment and see when you will pay off your debt

Australian HELP debt is repaid through the tax system once your income exceeds $67,000 (FY2025-26). Under the new marginal rate model, your repayment is calculated only on income above $67,000 — starting at 15 cents per dollar. The debt is indexed each year on 1 June by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Last updated: March 2026

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Enter your details to calculate HECS repayment

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Frequently Asked Questions

When will I finish paying off my HECS debt?

It depends on your income and debt balance. Use this calculator to project your repayment timeline. If your income grows steadily, most graduates with a typical debt of $30,000–$50,000 pay off their HECS in 8–15 years. However, if indexation (CPI) is high and your income is near the minimum threshold, the debt can grow faster than you repay it.

How much HECS do I repay per year based on my income?

For FY2025-26, repayment starts once you earn above $67,000, at 15 cents per dollar above that threshold. For example, at $80,000 annual income you repay 15% of ($80,000 - $67,000) = $1,950 per year. At $130,000 you repay $8,700 + 17% × ($130,000 - $125,000) = $9,550 per year.

What is the HECS indexation rate?

HECS/HELP debt is indexed annually on 1 June by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The indexation rate varies each year — it was 7.1% in June 2023 and 4.7% in June 2024. This calculator defaults to 3.9% as a reasonable estimate, but you can change it to see the impact of different rates.

Should I voluntarily pay off my HECS debt early?

HELP debt carries no interest — only CPI indexation. Whether early repayment makes sense depends on comparing the indexation rate against potential investment returns. If indexation (currently around 4%) is lower than your investment return, keeping the money invested may be better. However, eliminating the debt gives peace of mind and reduces your tax obligations.