HELP Repayment · Calculator

HELP Debt Income Threshold Calculator

Find your HELP/HECS compulsory repayment rate and annual repayment amount for 2025-26 or 2026-27. Compare the full marginal repayment threshold tables.

2025-26 & 2026-27Marginal 15%/17% RateRepayment Income
01INPUTS

Use 2025-26 for the return being lodged now, or 2026-27 for the current income year.

Your repayment income: taxable income + reportable fringe benefits + net investment losses.

02RESULTS
Effective repayment rate1.1%
Annual repayment$821

2026-27 HELP repayment thresholds

Income RangeRepayment formula
$0 – $69,528Nil
$69,529 – $129,71715.0% above $69,528
$129,718 – $186,050$9,028 + 17.0% above $129,717
$186,051+10.0% of total income

Up to $69,528, no repayment is required.

How it works

Compulsory HELP repayments are based on your repayment income — your taxable income plus any reportable fringe benefits amounts and net investment losses. From 2025-26, the marginal formula applies only to income above each threshold, subject to the 10% cap; employers generally collect the expected amount through PAYG withholding.

Below the minimum threshold, no repayment is required. Above the threshold, the repayment rate increases progressively with income. Use this calculator to see where you sit and check the full table of thresholds below.

For a full payoff timeline including voluntary payments and indexation, use the HELP debt payoff timeline calculator.

Common questions
What is the HELP repayment threshold for 2025-26?
The compulsory repayment threshold for 2025-26 starts at $67,000. If your repayment income is below this amount, you are not required to make any compulsory HELP repayments. From 2025-26 the repayment is marginal — 15% of the income above $67,000, rising to 17% above $125,000, and capped at a flat 10% of total income from $179,286.
What is the HELP repayment threshold for 2026-27?
For 2026-27 the minimum repayment threshold rises to $69,528. Below that repayment income, no compulsory HELP repayment applies. Above it the marginal system continues — 15% of income above $69,528, 17% above $129,717, capped at a flat 10% of total repayment income from $186,051.
How is the HELP repayment rate determined?
Your repayment rate is based on your repayment income, which includes your taxable income, reportable fringe benefits amounts, and net investment losses. From 2025-26 the rate is marginal — it applies only to the income above each threshold, not your total income. For example, if you earn $80,000 you repay 15% of the $13,000 above $67,000, which is $1,950 for that year regardless of your HELP balance.
Does my spouse's income count toward the HELP repayment threshold?
No. HELP repayments are based on your individual repayment income, not household or combined income. Your spouse's income does not affect your repayment rate. However, if you have a HELP debt and earn above the threshold, your employer will withhold additional tax through the PAYG system to cover the expected repayment.

Tax Accuracy & Sources

Reviewed: March 2026 · Tax year: 2025-26 and 2026-27

This calculator is an estimate tool and may not cover all personal circumstances. For state-based taxes, confirm details with your state or territory revenue office.