HECS Repayment Thresholds 2025-26

Complete guide to the new marginal repayment brackets effective from 1 July 2025.

Updated: July 2025 · Based on ATO legislation

What changed?

Before 2025-26, HECS repayments used a flat-rate system — once your income crossed a threshold, a single percentage applied to your entire repayment income. This created "cliffs" where a $1 pay rise could increase your repayment by hundreds of dollars.

The new marginal system works like income tax brackets. You only pay the higher rate on income within each bracket. The minimum threshold also jumped from $54,435 to $67,000.

To see how these HECS repayments sit alongside your income tax, Medicare Levy, and take-home pay, try the Australian Income Tax Calculator.

2025-26 Rate Table

Repayment IncomeRate
$0 – $67,000Nil
$67,001 – $125,00015c per $1 over $67,000
$125,001 – $179,28517c per $1 over $125,000
$179,286+10% of total income

Examples at common income levels

$60,000

Annual repayment: $0

$80,000

Annual repayment: $1,950(2.4% effective)

$100,000

Annual repayment: $4,950(5.0% effective)

$120,000

Annual repayment: $7,950(6.6% effective)

$150,000

Annual repayment: $12,950(8.6% effective)

$200,000

Annual repayment: $20,000(10.0% effective)

Note that salary sacrifice into super does not reduce your HECS repayment income — the ATO adds reportable super contributions back in. Use the Salary Sacrifice Calculator to see the full impact on your tax and HECS.

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