HECS/HELP repayment calculator
Estimate compulsory HECS/HELP repayments and see how study debt affects your Australian take-home pay for the 2025-26 tax year.
What income is used for HELP repayments?
Compulsory HELP repayments are based on repayment income. This is not always the same as taxable income.
Repayment income can include taxable income plus adjustments such as:
- reportable fringe benefits
- net investment losses
- reportable super contributions
- exempt foreign employment income
2025-26 repayment thresholds
For 2025-26, compulsory repayments start once repayment income is above $67,000. OzMoneyTools can include HECS/HELP in the take-home pay calculator and optionally lets you add advanced income-test components.
Estimate pay with HECS/HELPWhy payroll and tax return amounts differ
If you tell your employer you have a study loan, they generally withhold extra PAYG amounts. The ATO then calculates the compulsory repayment when your tax return is assessed.
That means your payslip withholding can differ from the final annual repayment, especially if your income changes during the year or your repayment income includes adjustments.