HELP/HECS Debt Calculators
HELP/HECS Debt Calculators
Free HELP/HECS calculators: estimate repayments, see your payoff timeline, check your threshold rate, and compare voluntary repayment vs investing.
Compulsory Repayment
Current marginal thresholds and annual repayment
Open calculatorRepayment Schedule
Year-by-year repayment projection
Open calculatorIncome Threshold
ATO repayment rate lookup
Open calculatorVoluntary vs Invest
Pay off HELP or invest the money
Open calculatorCommon questions
How is HELP debt indexed?
Eligible accumulated HELP debt is indexed on 1 June using the lower of CPI or WPI. The 2026 rate was 2.8%. A voluntary repayment credited before 1 June reduces the balance indexed that year.
When do I have to start repaying HELP?
Compulsory repayments begin when your repayment income exceeds the minimum threshold ($69,528 for 2026-27). From 2025-26 the repayment is marginal — 15% of income above $69,528, rising to 17% above $129,717, and capped at a flat 10% of total income from $186,051.
Should I pay off HELP or invest?
HELP does not charge market interest, but it is indexed at the lower of CPI or WPI. Paying it down gives a certain saving at the applicable indexation rate; investing may return more but adds market, tax and liquidity risk. Prioritise higher-cost debt and an emergency buffer first.
Related calculators
Pay App Compare salary, bonus, HELP, sacrifice and contractor scenarios HELP Indexation Timing Calculator Calculate how much indexation you can save by making a voluntary HELP/HECS repayment before the 1 June deadline HELP/HECS Repayment Calculator Student loan repayment calculator HELP Repayment Thresholds 2026-27 ATO HELP/HECS repayment thresholds for 2026-27 — $69,528 minimum repayment income and the marginal band structure above it HELP Repayment Thresholds 2025-26 Prior-year HELP/HECS thresholds for returns being lodged now — $67,000 minimum repayment income and its marginal bands HELP/HECS Repayment Rates 2026-27 How the 2026-27 marginal repayment method works — 15c and 17c bands above $69,528, capped at 10% of repayment income