The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) applies indexation each year on
1 June to the part of your accumulated HELP debt that has remained unpaid for more than 11 months.
Indexation in 2026 will be applied at the rate of 2.8%, the lowest rate since 2021. Check for previous study and training loan indexation rates on the ATO’s website.
Like interest, indexation means your debt grows over time.
Indexation applies to:
- Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- VET Student Loan (VSL) and VET FEE-HELP
- Student Financial Supplement Scheme (SFSS)
- Student Start-up Loan (SSL) and ABSTUDY Student Start-up Loan (ABSTUDY SSL)
- Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan (AASL)
If you’d like to reduce your study loan balance before indexation applies, you’ll need to make a voluntary repayment by 26 May 2026.
It is important to allow enough time for the payment to be received and processed by the ATO. There are different ways to make a Voluntary repayment whether you’re in Australia or from overseas.
To keep track of your study or training loan, use the ATO app or ATO online services via myGov.