Frequently Asked Questions

HECS-HELP is the Australian Government loan that covers a student's contribution amount in a Commonwealth Supported Place at an approved higher-education provider. The Commonwealth pays the contribution upfront, and the student repays it through the tax system once their repayment income crosses the lowest ATO threshold.

For the 2026-27 financial year, you start repaying at $54,435 of repayment income. Repayment income is your taxable income plus several adjustments: net investment losses, reportable fringe benefits, reportable super contributions and exempt foreign-employment income.

Outstanding HECS-HELP balances are indexed on 1 June each year using the lower of CPI or the Wage Price Index, measured over the year to 31 March. This was reformed in the 2024 budget — before that, indexation used CPI alone, which spiked indexed balances during the high-inflation 2022 and 2023 cycles.

HECS-HELP covers the student-contribution amount in a Commonwealth Supported Place. FEE-HELP covers tuition fees in a full-fee place at an approved provider. Both are repaid through the tax system on the same schedule, but FEE-HELP attracts a 20% loan fee for some undergraduate courses (zero for postgraduate).

Yes. Youth Allowance (for full-time students under 25), Austudy (for full-time students 25 and over) and ABSTUDY (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students) are Services Australia payments that are separate from your HECS-HELP loan. You can claim both — but Youth Allowance is means-tested against your own income, your partner's income, and (if you are dependent) your parents' income.

Generally no. HECS-HELP is available to Australian citizens, eligible permanent humanitarian visa holders, and New Zealand Special Category Visa holders meeting specific residency requirements. International students enrolled in a non-Commonwealth-supported place pay full tuition fees up front or via private financing.

The calculator uses the official ATO published thresholds and rates exactly as they appear on ato.gov.au. The result represents your compulsory repayment based on the income you enter. The actual amount the ATO withholds via your tax return may differ slightly if your repayment income includes the adjustments listed above. Treat the calculator as a planning tool, not a definitive figure.

HECS-HELP thresholds: annually after each May Federal Budget. Centrelink Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY rates: twice yearly on 20 March and 20 September. University enrolment data: annually, typically in November.