If you had an outstanding HELP debt balance as at 1 June 2025, the ATO will apply the 20% reduction to your debt. You will not have to do anything.

Most people will get their reduction before the end of 2025, however, more complex reductions may not be processed by the ATO until early 2026.

The ATO will notify you when it has applied the 20% reduction to your loan account. See the FAQs for more information.

The 20% reduction will also increase your available HELP balance under the HELP loan limit, like a repayment. This will take place a few weeks after your reduction is applied by the ATO.

Once your available HELP balance has been updated, it will be visible in the myHELPbalance website.