Useful next calculations
Rates and sources, 2026–27
ATO marginal compulsory repayment thresholds for HELP and other study and training loans for 2026–27. Thresholds are held at 2026–27 levels for projections; indexation default is the 2.8% applied on 1 June 2026.
| Band or figure | Rate |
|---|---|
| Nil up to | $69,528 |
| 15c per $1 over | $69,528 up to $129,717 |
| $9,028 + 17c per $1 over | $129,717 up to $186,050 |
| Above $186,050 | 10% of total repayment income |
Source: ATO — study and training loan repayment thresholds and rates. Source checked for 2026–27.
When to use this calculator
- When you need a fast estimate before making a bigger decision.
- When you want to compare a few scenarios using the same assumptions.
- When you need a clearer starting point before using a detailed quote or formal document.
- When you want to sanity-check a figure you have seen elsewhere.
A worked example
These are the example figures the calculator opens with.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Current HECS-HELP Debt (A$) | A$30,000 |
| Annual Repayment Income (A$) | A$75,000 |
| Expected Annual Income Growth (%) | 3% |
| Expected Annual Indexation Rate (%) | 2.8% |
For those figures the calculator returns:
- Annual repayment: A$820.80
- Effective repayment rate: 1.09%
- Years to pay off: 13.00
- Total repaid: A$37,839.62
- Weekly repayment: A$15.78
Method & assumptions
This calculator uses the ATO’s 2026–27 marginal compulsory repayment thresholds for HELP and other study and training loans: nothing up to $69,528 of repayment income, 15 cents for each dollar over $69,528 up to $129,717, $9,028 plus 17 cents for each dollar over $129,717 up to $186,050, and 10% of your whole repayment income above $186,050. To project your payoff timeline, the model simulates year-by-year debt reduction: at the start of each year your balance is indexed by the rate you specify (the default is the 2.8% applied on 1 June 2026), then your repayment is subtracted, never more than the balance left. Your income then grows by the specified annual growth rate before the next year’s calculation begins. The thresholds are held at their 2026–27 levels for every future year, which is a simplification because the ATO updates them each year. The simulation runs for up to 40 years.
Key limitations: this model uses annual compounding and does not account for voluntary repayments, changes in employment or career breaks, income years where you earn below the threshold, or the possibility of future legislative changes to thresholds and rates. Indexation rates can vary significantly year to year — the 2.8% default is last June’s rate rather than a forecast, so you should test both lower and higher (6%+) scenarios. The ATO’s official HELP repayment calculator on the ATO website and the myGov portal provide confirmed figures based on your actual lodged tax data.
Common mistakes
- Using an assumption that is not supported by a current local quote, bill, statement or official source.
- Treating a generic estimate as a lender, provider, payroll or tax authority decision.
- Mixing monthly and annual inputs without converting them consistently.
- Testing only one scenario instead of checking how a cautious assumption changes the result.
What to do next
- Run a second scenario with a cautious assumption so you can see the downside clearly.
- Compare the result with the related calculators below before making a decision.
- Check current local rules, eligibility and provider terms before applying or committing money.
- Keep a record of the assumptions so you can update the estimate when a quote, bill or pay figure changes.