About HECS Debt Calculator
hecsdebtcalculator.com.au is an independent Australian finance calculator site for HECS-HELP borrowers. This page explains who builds the tools, how we source our numbers, and how we keep the calculators accurate as legislation changes.
What we do
We build free HECS-HELP repayment calculators, indexation projection tools and decision guides for Australian borrowers. Every calculator on the site is rebuilt within 30 days of any legislated change to the repayment formula, indexation methodology or threshold amounts — so the numbers you see here reflect current law, not last year's rules.
Who we are
The site is run by a small Australian team with professional backgrounds in software engineering, financial modelling and tax research. We are not licensed financial advisers, accountants or credit providers. Our calculators are informational tools — not personal financial advice. For advice specific to your situation, we recommend consulting a registered tax agent (TPB-registered) or licensed adviser.
Our data sources
- Thresholds and repayment rates: Australian Taxation Office — Study and training loan repayment thresholds, updated each 1 July.
- Indexation rates: ATO — Study and training loan indexation rates, announced in late May annually.
- Legislative basis: Higher Education Support Act 2003, Universities Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) Act 2024, Higher Education Legislation Amendment (20% Reduction of HELP Debts) Act 2025.
- Program rules: Study Assist (Department of Education).
- CPI and WPI data: Australian Bureau of Statistics.
FY2025-26 methodology
Our repayment calculator applies the new marginal repayment system introduced on 1 July 2025: nil below $67,000, 15c per $1 above $67,000 up to $125,000, $8,700 + 17c per $1 above $125,000 up to $179,285, then 10% of total income at $179,286 and above. Our indexation calculator applies the lower-of-CPI-or-WPI cap introduced retrospectively by the 2024 Universities Accord legislation. Our outstanding-balance displays assume the 20% HELP debt reduction was already applied on 1 June 2025 (before indexation).
Where a 2026 value has not yet been announced (for example the 2026 indexation rate, released in late May 2026), we show a clearly labelled projection range based on ABS data and update within 24 hours of the official figure.
Editorial policy
- No paid placements. We do not take payment to recommend any lender, accountant, adviser or product.
- No sponsored rankings. Comparison tables (where lenders are compared) are based on publicly disclosed policy and rate tables.
- Error corrections. Material corrections are noted inline with an "Updated:" date.
- Revenue model. The site earns from Google AdSense display advertising only. Advertisers do not influence content or calculator logic.
Contact
Corrections, questions and data source suggestions — see our contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hecsdebtcalculator.com.au an official government site?
How do you keep the calculators current?
Do you offer financial advice?
Everything about HECS-HELP — calculators, tips, tactics, rules
Browse the full library. Every page is updated for the FY2025-26 marginal system and the 20% HELP debt cut.