Australia · Updated for 2026–27
HECS repayment calculator 2026–27
In 2026–27 you repay nothing until your repayment income is over $69,528. On $80,000 the compulsory repayment is $1,570.80 for the year: 15% of the $10,472 above the threshold, not 15% of everything.
Type your repayment income and, if you like, your debt to see how long it will take.
$80,000 repayment income · 2026–27
$1,570.80 compulsory repayment for the year
About $60.42 a fortnight, taken with your tax. 15% of the $10,472 over $69,528.
On these assumptions the $25,000.00 debt is paid off in about 16 years, repaying $31,455.53 in all.
How is the HECS repayment worked out?
Since 2025–26 the repayment is on the income over the threshold, not on all of it. On $80,000 in 2026–27:
- Over the threshold. $80,000 − $69,528 = $10,472.
- The rate. 15% of $10,472 = $1,570.80 for the year, about $60.42 a fortnight.
- The limits. Over $129,717 the rate is 17%, and the repayment is never more than 10% of your income.
How much HECS do I repay at each income?
| Repayment income | A year | A fortnight | Share of income |
|---|---|---|---|
| $65,000 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 0% |
| $70,000 | $70.80 | $2.72 | 0.1% |
| $80,000 | $1,570.80 | $60.42 | 2% |
| $90,000 | $3,070.80 | $118.11 | 3.4% |
| $100,000 | $4,570.80 | $175.80 | 4.6% |
| $120,000 | $7,570.80 | $291.18 | 6.3% |
| $130,000 | $9,076.46 | $349.09 | 7% |
| $150,000 | $12,476.46 | $479.86 | 8.3% |
| $186,050 | $18,604.96 | $715.58 | 10% |
| $200,000 | $20,000.00 | $769.23 | 10% |
What happens to my debt each year?
On 1 June each year the part of the debt that has been owed for more than 11 months is indexed. Your compulsory repayment for the year comes off when the ATO assesses your tax return. Voluntary repayments come off straight away. The payoff time above is a rough guide on your own assumptions, not an ATO figure.
What does this leave out?
Voluntary repayments, any change to your debt from new study, and debt reductions announced after 2026–27. Your take-home pay with the repayment taken out: the pay calculator.
What else can I work out?
- Pay calculator Take-home pay after tax, Medicare and HECS, by year, month, fortnight and week, with super.
- Income tax calculator Tax on any taxable income, band by band, and what the 2026–27 tax cut saves.
- Super guarantee calculator Your employer’s 12% super, and a package split into salary and super.
Questions about HECS-HELP repayments
What is the HECS repayment threshold for 2026–27?
$69,528 of repayment income. Above it you repay 15% of each dollar over the threshold, 17% of each dollar over $129,717, and never more than 10% of your income.
Is repayment income the same as my salary?
Not quite. Repayment income is your taxable income plus reportable fringe benefits, net investment losses, reportable super contributions (such as salary sacrifice) and some exempt foreign income. For a plain salary it is your salary.
Is HECS taken from my pay?
Yes, if you told your employer you have a study loan: they withhold extra tax each pay day. The ATO then works out the exact repayment when you lodge your return. On $80,000 that is about $60.42 a fortnight.
How long will my HECS debt take to pay off?
It depends on your pay and indexation. A $25,000 debt on $80,000, with pay and indexation both rising 3% a year, takes about 16 years of compulsory repayments. Type your own figures above.
Does this cover VET Student Loans and other study loans?
Yes. HELP, VET Student Loans, Student Start-up Loans, ABSTUDY SSL, the Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan and SFSS all use the same thresholds and rates. Repayments go to HELP first.