HELP debt repayment calculator
Model your HELP debt repayment timeline with CPI indexation and income-based repayments.
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Your HELP debt
Set your current HELP balance and study status.
HELP balance$30,000
$1,000$200,000
Study status
HELP debt repayment is income-contingent — the ATO calculates your compulsory repayment as a percentage of your income once you exceed the minimum threshold. The rate increases with income, from 1% at $54,435 up to 10% at $159,664 and above.
CPI indexation is applied to your balance on 1 June each year, effectively increasing your debt. If your income is below the threshold, no compulsory repayments are required but indexation still applies, meaning your debt can grow over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is HELP debt different from a regular loan?
- HELP debt has no interest rate. Instead, the balance is indexed annually by CPI (Consumer Price Index). Repayments are compulsory and based on a percentage of your income, not a fixed monthly amount.
- When do I start repaying my HELP debt?
- Compulsory repayments begin once your income exceeds the minimum repayment threshold, which is $54,435 for 2024-25. The repayment is collected through the tax system.
- What is CPI indexation on HELP debt?
- Each year on 1 June, your HELP debt is indexed by CPI. For 2024-25, the indexation rate is approximately 3.5%. This effectively increases your debt balance, similar to interest but tied to inflation.
- Should I make voluntary HELP repayments?
- Since 2017, there is no bonus or discount for voluntary repayments. Whether to pay voluntarily depends on comparing the CPI indexation rate against potential investment returns. Use our Voluntary vs Invest calculator for a detailed comparison.