HECS-HELP repayment calculator
Free HECS-HELP repayment calculator. Models the 2024-25 ATO Schedule (rate-on-the-whole-of-income), the resident income-tax scale and the 2% Medicare levy. Sourced figures only.
Repayment income is taxable income plus reportable fringe benefits, reportable super contributions and net investment losses. For a wage earner with no investments, taxable income is a good approximation.
HECS-HELP band
3.5% of repayment income
Threshold $74,856 - $79,347
Annual compulsory repayment
$2,625
≈ $50 per week
Take-home pay (estimate)
Income tax $13,288 + Medicare levy $1,500 + HECS $2,625 = $17,413 per year.
$57,587 per year
About $1,107 per week.
Full 2024-25 HECS-HELP schedule
| From | To | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $54,435 | 0.0% |
| $54,435 | $62,851 | 1.0% |
| $62,851 | $66,621 | 2.0% |
| $66,621 | $70,619 | 2.5% |
| $70,619 | $74,856 | 3.0% |
| $74,856 | $79,347 | 3.5% |
| $79,347 | $84,108 | 4.0% |
| $84,108 | $89,155 | 4.5% |
| $89,155 | $94,504 | 5.0% |
| $94,504 | $100,175 | 5.5% |
| $100,175 | $106,186 | 6.0% |
| $106,186 | $112,557 | 6.5% |
| $112,557 | $119,310 | 7.0% |
| $119,310 | $126,468 | 7.5% |
| $126,468 | $134,057 | 8.0% |
| $134,057 | $142,101 | 8.5% |
| $142,101 | $150,627 | 9.0% |
| $150,627 | $159,664 | 9.5% |
| $159,664 | no upper limit | 10.0% |
How the maths works
Once your repayment income passes the lowest threshold, the ATO applies the relevant band's rate to your whole repayment income. Formally, if I is your repayment income and r(I) is the rate for the band that contains I:
The thresholds are reviewed each year. The calculator above uses the 2024-25 ATO Schedule. If you spot a discrepancy with the latest ATO release, please flag it; we keep the constants in source code so the change is auditable.
Frequently asked
- Is HECS a marginal rate?
- No. Australia applies the relevant band's rate to your whole repayment income, not just the amount above the threshold. A small pay rise that pushes you into a higher band can meaningfully increase your annual repayment.
- What is repayment income?
- Repayment income is taxable income plus reportable fringe benefits, reportable employer super contributions, net investment losses and exempt foreign employment income. For a typical wage earner with no investments, taxable income is a good approximation.
- Does this calculator include indexation?
- No. The calculator focuses on the annual compulsory repayment. Indexation of the outstanding balance happens once a year, on 1 June, at the lower of CPI and Wage Price Index growth. Indexation does not affect this year's compulsory repayment.
- Are the thresholds current?
- Yes. The calculator uses the 2024-25 ATO Schedule for HELP/VSL/SFSS repayment thresholds. The schedule is reviewed each year, so we keep an eye on the ATO release and update the constants in our source code when changes are published.
Related
ExamExplained does not provide financial advice. Figures are sourced from the ATO Schedule for HELP/VSL/SFSS rates and thresholds and from the ATO individual income tax rates page. For tailored advice see a registered tax agent.