HECS/HELP Debt Abroad Calculator
Since 2017, HECS/HELP debt must be repaid based on worldwide income — even if you live and work overseas. Calculate your obligations below.
Overseas HELP obligation: If you live abroad and your worldwide income exceeds $54,435 (2024–25), you must lodge an overseas HELP assessment and make repayments. Failure to report can result in penalties.
Your Details
2024–25 HELP Repayment Thresholds
Repayment is based on your HELP Repayment Income (HRI) — which is worldwide income for overseas residents.
| HRI Range | Rate |
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How to lodge: Submit an Overseas HELP Repayment assessment via MyGov or your tax agent. Deadline: typically 31 October, but extensions apply with a registered tax agent. You must lodge even if your income is below the threshold.
Key Rules for Expats
- Indexation: HELP debt is indexed annually on 1 June at the CPI rate (capped at AWOTE growth from June 2023 onwards). In 2024 the rate was ~4.7%.
- Currency conversion: Convert foreign income to AUD using the average exchange rate for the income year.
- Voluntary repayments: You can make extra payments at any time via BPAY to your ATO HELP account. No bonus for voluntary payments (10% bonus was abolished in 2017).
- Forgiveness: HELP debt is forgiven on death. There is no statute of limitations — debt persists until fully repaid.
- Penalties: Failure to lodge can result in a $330/week penalty plus interest. The ATO has information-sharing agreements with many countries.