AU 2028 HECS-HELP
AU 2028-29 HECS-HELP: 1% from $54,435 income, scaling to 10% above $159,664. Indexation = lower of CPI or WPI (reform June 2024 retrospective from 2023).
| Repayment income (HRI) | — |
| HELP balance | — |
| Repayment rate | — |
| AU 2028-29 annual | — |
Australian 2028-29 HECS-HELP compulsory repayment scales 1%-10% by Helper Repayment Income (HRI). Starts at HRI $54,435 with 1% rate; tops at 10% above $159,664. June 2024 reform: indexation now the lesser of CPI or Wage Price Index (WPI) — retrospective to 2023, refunds issued for 7.1% / 4.7% over-indexation in 2023/2024.
2024 Indexation Reform
HECS-HELP debt was indexed at CPI every June — 2023's 7.1% jump caused major outcry as wages did NOT keep pace. June 2024 reform: indexation = lesser of CPI or Wage Price Index, retrospective to 2023. ATO refunded the over-indexation difference automatically. Future indexation expected lower than CPI when wages lag.
HRI vs Taxable Income
HRI = Taxable income + Reportable Fringe Benefits + Reportable Super Contributions + Net Investment Losses + Exempt Foreign Employment Income. Higher than just taxable income — common over-payment of compulsory repayments via PAYG, refunded at tax return.
Voluntary Repayment Pros + Cons
Pre-June indexation date: paying off debt before June 1 avoids that year's indexation hit. Discount for voluntary payment removed in 2017 (used to be 5%). Now: only saves indexation. Compare opportunity cost — investment returns may exceed CPI/WPI indexation rate.
Last updated May 2026. Sources: ATO HECS.