Find out how much you will repay on a HECS-HELP or other study loan in 2026–27 under the marginal repayment system. With a repayment income of $85,000, the compulsory repayment is $2,320.80 for the year, about $89 a fortnight.
HECS-HELP Repayment Calculator 2026–27
New marginal repayment system
- Per pay (approx.)
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- Share of repayment income
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- Same income under the 2025–26 rules
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- Years to repay at this rate
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Years to repay ignore indexation and future pay rises, so treat them as a rough guide.
2026–27 repayment thresholds
| Repayment income | Compulsory repayment |
|---|---|
| Up to $69,528 | Nil |
| $69,529 to $129,717 | 15c for each $1 over $69,528 |
| $129,718 to $186,050 | $9,028 plus 17c for each $1 over $129,717 |
| $186,051 and over | 10% of total repayment income |
Before 2025–26, repayments were a percentage of your whole income once you passed the threshold. Now you only repay on income above it, which lowers repayments for most people on low and middle incomes.
Examples
| Repayment income | 2026–27 repayment | Share of income |
|---|---|---|
| $70,000 | $70.80 | 0.10% |
| $85,000 | $2,320.80 | 2.73% |
| $100,000 | $4,570.80 | 4.57% |
| $150,000 | $12,476.11 | 8.32% |
What counts as repayment income
Repayment income is your taxable income plus reportable fringe benefits, reportable super contributions, total net investment losses and exempt foreign employment income. If you salary sacrifice into super, it is added back.
FAQs
Is my HELP debt still indexed?
Yes. Balances are indexed on 1 June each year by the lower of the consumer price index and the wage price index. Voluntary repayments reduce the balance immediately.
Can I ask my employer to withhold less?
Your employer withholds HELP amounts based on the ATO schedules when you tell them on your TFN declaration that you have a study loan. The final compulsory repayment is worked out when you lodge your tax return.
Related calculators
Sources
- ATO: Study and training support loans rates and repayment thresholds · 2026–27 and 2025–26
Figures current as of 12 October 2026
Each formula is checked against a separate test sheet with at least three worked examples. Results are estimates based on the numbers you enter and the published rules; your actual figures may differ. This is general information, not financial or tax advice.
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