Skip to main content

Free toolLast reviewed 30 October 2026 · Rates: ATO, FY 2026–27

HECS-HELP repayment calculator (2026–27)

Short answer
On a A$85,000 salary with a HELP debt your compulsory repayment is about A$2,320.80 a year (A$89.26 a fortnight) in 2026–27. The calculator applies the ATO repayment rates for 2026–27 to your taxable income and shows the repayment next to your income tax, Medicare levy and take-home pay. Enter your own pay below.

Source: ATO, study and training loan repayment income and rates · FY 2026–27 · checked 2 Nov 2026

Work out your repayment

Your pay

A$85,000 a year before tax.

Super
More options

That job uses your tax-free threshold, so this one is taxed at your top rate.

A$0

Move the slider to see what a pay rise adds after tax.

HELP repayment per yearA$2,320.80

Your HELP repayment

Show per
HELP repayment per year
A$2,320.80
Average tax rate 23.6% · Marginal rate 32%
Pay before tax A$85,000.00Super, paid on top
76.4% you keep23.6% tax, Medicare and HELP
Where your pay goes, per year
Pay before taxA$85,000.00
Income tax (after offsets)18.9%−A$16,020.00
Medicare levy2%−A$1,700.00
HELP repayment2.7%−A$2,320.80
Take-home pay76.4%A$64,959.20
Employer super (12%, paid on top)A$10,200.00

Provisional2026–27 Medicare thresholds not yet published by the ATO; using 2025–26 values.

Runs in your browser. Nothing is sent to us.

Your HELP repayment band

15%on each dollar over the band start

Taxable income used as repayment income, A$ thousands

On a taxable income of A$85,000 you repay A$2,320.80 a year.

Show as a table
HELP repayment bands, 2026–27
Repayment incomeCompulsory repaymentYour band
A$0 – A$69,528Nil
A$69,529 – A$129,71715c for each A$1 over A$69,528You are here
A$129,718 – A$186,050A$9,028 plus 17c for each A$1 over A$129,717
A$186,051 and over10c for each A$1 of your whole repayment income

Estimate only, not tax advice. Assumes this is your only income (unless you enter another job), you are single with no dependants, and you have no other deductions or offsets. Includes the Low Income Tax Offset and the Medicare levy low-income reduction. Does not include the Medicare levy surcharge, SAPTO, salary sacrifice or fringe benefits. For those, or for a family, use the ATO income tax estimator.

How we worked this outFY 2026–27, figures for the year
  1. Pay from this job A$85,000.00 a year, super not included. Employer super 12% = A$10,200.00, paid on top.

    Source: ATO super guarantee (updated 17 April 2026) · FY 2026–27 · checked 2 Nov 2026

  2. Standard deduction not applied, so taxable income is A$85,000.00.

    Source: ATO standard deduction for work-related expenses (updated 14 September 2026); Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Act 2026, Schedule 4 (assented 26 June 2026) · FY 2026–27 · checked 2 Nov 2026

  3. Income tax: A$4,020 + 30% × (85,000 − 45,000) = A$16,020.00.

    Source: ATO tax rates - Australian residents (updated 13 August 2026) · FY 2026–27 · checked 2 Nov 2026

  4. Low Income Tax Offset: A$0.00.

    Source: ATO low income tax offset (updated 8 June 2026) · FY 2026–27 · checked 2 Nov 2026

  5. Medicare levy: 2% of taxable income, reduced on low incomes = A$1,700.00.

    Source: ATO Medicare levy reduction for low-income earners (updated 30 June 2026, 2025-26 values) · FY 2026–27 · checked 2 Nov 2026

  6. Study loan repayment on your taxable income: A$2,320.80.

    Source: ATO study and training loan minimum repayment income and rates (updated 13 October 2026) · FY 2026–27 · checked 2 Nov 2026

  7. Take-home: A$85,000.00 − A$16,020.00 + A$0.00 − A$1,700.00 − A$2,320.80 = A$64,959.20 a year. Each period is the year divided by 52, 26 or 12 and rounded to the cent. Marginal rate 32% is tax plus Medicare on your next dollar; it leaves out study loan repayments.

Your employer withholds tax each pay using ATO tax tables, so a payslip can differ by a few dollars. We work out tax for the whole year and divide it; any difference is settled when you lodge your return.

HELP repayment thresholds 2026–27

No repayment is due until your repayment income passes A$69,528. After that the rate depends on which band your income falls in. HELP (HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, SA-HELP, OS-HELP), VET Student Loans and other study and training loans share one repayment.

HELP repayment thresholds 2026–27
Repayment incomeCompulsory repayment (2026–27)
A$0 – A$69,528Nil
A$69,529 – A$129,71715c for each A$1 over A$69,528
A$129,718 – A$186,050A$9,028 plus 17c for each A$1 over A$129,717
A$186,051 and over10c for each A$1 of your whole repayment income

Source: ATO · FY 2026–27 · checked 2 Nov 2026

How HELP repayments work

The repayment is not taken out of your pay as a separate bill. Your employer withholds extra tax each pay if you tell them you have a study loan, and the ATO works out the actual amount when you lodge your return. Whatever was withheld counts toward it.

The ATO uses your repayment income, which is your taxable income plus some other items such as reportable fringe benefits and net investment losses. This calculator uses your taxable income (the standard deduction is left out unless you tick it), so it can differ if you have those items.

Voluntary repayments are not included. Your debt is also indexed each 1 June, which changes what you owe but not the compulsory repayment shown here.

Common questions

For 2026–27 the minimum repayment income is A$69,528. Below that you make no compulsory repayment. The full table is above, from the ATO.

Estimates only. This page gives general information, not tax advice; check your situation with the ATO or a registered tax agent.

Self-employed with a HELP debt? Keep the books in one place

Your repayment is worked out when you lodge, so ABN income needs a plan. Kestly keeps your invoices, receipts and trips ready for tax time.

Join the waitlist