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Education Entry Payment (EdEP) 108-08050000

This document outlines qualification for the EdEP and how it is paid. EdEP is a lump sum taxable payment of $208 to help with the costs of returning to study.

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Meeting qualification for EdEP

EdEP entitlement

Meeting qualification for EdEP

Table 1

Step	Action
1	Customer requesting payment of EdEP Information about proof of enrolment (POE) requirements can be found on the Background page under the heading Claiming EdEP. Process Direct: go to the Payment Summary (PS) screen Display Payments: select All Number of months in past field, add '12', select Execute check if the customer has received EdEP in the past 12 months, or in the current calendar year, then go to the One Off Payments (OOP) screen Display Payments: select All check if the customer has received EdEP in the past 12 months, or in the current calendar year Customer First: go to the Payment Summary (PS) screen select All in the Display all payments drop down menu key ‘12’ in the Number of months in past field check if the customer has received EdEP in the past 12 months, or in the current calendar year, then go to the One Off Payment (OOP) screen select All in the Display all payments For field check if the customer has received EdEP in the past 12 months, or in the current calendar year by navigating through each page Has the customer received EdEP: in the last 12 months for JobSeeker Payment (JSP) or Parenting Payment Partnered (PPP), or in the current calendar year for Disability Support Pension (DSP), Parenting Payment Single (PPS), Carer Payment (CP) or Special Benefit (SpB) for single parents? Yes, go to Step 2 No, go to Step 3
2	Customer previously paid EdEP Tell the customer they are not entitled to another EdEP until: 12 months has passed since their most recent EdEP was paid for JSP or PPP customers, or the next calendar year for DSP, PPS, CP or SpB customers Record a DOC detailing why the customer is not eligible for EdEP and explain the outcome to the customer. Procedure ends here.
3	Qualifications for EdEP Customers are eligible for EdEP if: they were on JSP or Parenting Payment (PP) immediately before starting their course and have been receiving any income support payment continuously for at least 12 months, or they qualify for Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) and have not received EdEP in the current calendar year for DSP, PPS and SpB Note: see References for more information about Notional continuous period of receipt of income support payments. When they claim a student payment, they do not need to provide proof of enrolment (POE). Is the customer currently receiving or claiming ABSTUDY, Austudy or Youth Allowance (YA) as a student? Yes, see Table 2 > Step 8 No, go to Step 4
4	Approved study To qualify for EdEP, the customer must be actively undertaking either: Approved courses of study for Youth Allowance (YA), Austudy and Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) Approved courses of study for ABSTUDY, ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) and Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Adult Migrant Education Program (AMEP) Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Small Business Training, see Self-Employment Assistance The customer does not need to be getting ABSTUDY, Austudy or YA as a student to qualify for EdEP. Note: customers doing a Startup Year Course must provide evidence they are enrolled in the course and be selected for a STARTUP-HELP loan to be eligible for EdEP. See Startup Year Courses for more information. Is the customer undertaking, or intending to undertake study in an approved course? Yes, go to Step 5 No, they do not qualify for EdEP: record a DOC explaining why the customer is not eligible, and tell the customer the outcome procedure ends here
5	Other qualifications for EdEP Customers currently receiving JSP or PPP qualify for EdEP if, just before starting an approved course of study they: were getting their current payment, and have been on an income support payment (which may not be their current payment) continuously for 12 months or longer See References for more information about Notional continuous period of receipt of income support payments. See the Resources page for more details and examples of one EdEP per 12 months or calendar year. DSP, PPS, CP and SpB customers must qualify for Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) paid under the Social Security Act. ABSTUDY PES is not a qualification for EdEP. JSP customers additional information: JSP customer's full-time approved course details should be available on their: proof of enrolment (POE) the Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) screen Short Course Summary (SCD) screen the Points Based Activation System (PBAS) Dashboard in Process Direct, or Job Plan (Services Australia managed customers only) EdEP may be payable on or after the start date of the approved course if all other EdEP requirements are met. Staff may need to consider other additional circumstances: Principal carers getting JSP may be considered full-time even though they may be studying part-time JSP with a partial capacity to work (PCW) may be considered full-time even though they may be studying part-time Customers getting PES transferring to JSP who meet all other requirements remain eligible for EdEP EdEP is not payable to activity tested customers who have a participation exemption in place Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) participants may have the course declared in a Job Plan To check for approved study in Process Direct: Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) screen: Select Customer Summary from the Process Direct landing page Enter the customer's Customer Reference Number (CRN), select Go Key 'AEX' in the Super Key, press [Enter] The Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) will show PBAS Dashboard: In the customer's record, key 'PBAS' in the Super Key, press [Enter] The Points Based Activation System (PBAS) Dashboard shows Enter the required dates in the Date from and Date to fields Select Search To check current IEA participants, Services Australia managed job seekers or periods before 1 July 2022, JSP customers must have study included in their Job Plan as an approved activity. To view Job Plan in Process Direct: Select > Participation Summary > Job Plan See Negotiating Centrelink Managed Job Plans Note: some job plans may not capture all study information to determine if study is approved. Additional evidence may be required, that is, POE Short Course Summary (SCD): In the customer's record, key 'SCD' in the Super Key, press [Enter] The Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) will show PPS customers additional information: PPS customers starting a course and getting PES who then transfer to JSP, remain eligible for PES while continuing the same course. PPP customers transferring to JSP and continuing the same approved course remain eligible for EdEP if they are getting JSP before the start of their next semester. This rule applies until they complete the same approved course. If they start another course while on their new payment, they can only request payment of EdEP 12 months after their last EdEP was paid PPP customers can undertake either a full-time or part-time course PPS customers transferring to PPP and continuing the same approved course remain eligible for EdEP if they are getting PPP before the start of their next semester and all other qualifying requirements are met. This rule applies until they complete the same approved course. If they start another course while on their new payment, they can only request payment of EdEP 12 months after their last EdEP Note: EdEP cannot be claimed once the student has completed the course. Does the customer qualify for EdEP? Yes, go to Step 6 No: Select the Notes icon to record a DOC detailing why the customer is not eligible and explain the outcome to the customer If the system is incorrectly paying EdEP to the customer, see Table 2 > Step 7, otherwise, procedure ends here
6	Check payment type Is the customer on JSP or PPP? Yes, go to Step 8 No, go to Step 7
7	Check eligibility for PES Is the customer on DSP, PPS, JSP (as a single principal carer), SpB or CP and qualified for Pensioner Education Supplement (PES)? Yes, go to Step 8 No, the customer is not eligible for EdEP. Select the Notes icon to record a DOC detailing why the customer is not eligible and explain the outcome to the customer. Procedure ends here
8	Check automatic eligibility for EdEP JSP single principal carers are not automatically eligible for EdEP when PES is granted. These customers must also be: considered full-time (15hrs per week) for mutual obligation purposes, and studying an approved course of study. To view an approved course of study, key 'AEX' or 'PBAS' in the Super Key See Negotiating Centrelink Managed Job Plans Note: for Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) participants or periods before 1 July 2022, select >Participation Summary > Job Plan If a student contacts and states they are getting PES but have not received EdEP, check if they have received EdEP in the past 12 months. Small Business Training From 17/03/2025, the system will automatically pay EdEP for JobSeeker Payment (JSP) customers when: their employment services provider advises they have commenced Small Business Training (SEI), and all eligibility criteria is met at the time the notification is received Staff must manually check entitlement for EdEP even if the system has not automatically paid. The customer may become eligible at a later date. Is the customer automatically eligible for EdEP? Yes, if EdEP has: been paid, tell them when they were paid EdEP. Procedure ends here not been paid, go to Step 9 No, go to Step 10
9	Customer eligible for EdEP but not paid In Customer First: Check if PES has been granted and payments have started. The benefit status line will reflect EPF/CUR. Check the customer's record in the Small Benefits System (ISS), under Service Reason EPF, using the PES task selector (ESTS) screen. EdEP will not be delivered until after the first PES payment is made. If the customer is eligible for payment, and the system had not auto paid the EdEP, go to Step 12 If PES has not been claimed, tell the customer to: complete an online claim for PES lodge verbally via Assisted Customer Claims (ACC) or issue a paper Claim for Pensioner Education Supplement (SY004) via the Mail Forms workflow (Customer First > Workspace > Customer Communication > Mail Forms) return the form via Upload documents online, reply paid envelope or their service centre Check if customer has been enrolled in Small Business Training. In Process Direct, go to the Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) screen to see if a SEI code has been recorded. If the customer is eligible for payment, and the system has not automatically paid EdEP, go to Step 10 Record a DOC detailing advice given to customer. Procedure ends here.
10	Check course dates Has the customer already completed their course? Yes, EdEP cannot be paid once the student has completed the course. Select the Notes icon to record a DOC detailing why the customer is not eligible and explain the outcome to the customer. Procedure ends here No, for: JSP customers, go to Step 11 all other customers, go to Step 12
11	JSP customers entitled to EdEP Check if the JSP customer’s study falls under one of the following: the short course guidelines Adult Migrant Education Program (AMEP) Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Small Business Training, see Self Employment Assistance Is the JSP customer undertaking study under one of the above? Yes: employment services provider managed and volunteer job seeker customers, see Table 2 > Step 1 Centrelink managed customers, see Table 2 > Step 3 No, for JSP customers undertaking study not under one of the above, go to the Miscellaneous Circumstances Details (NMIS) screen and code: Current Circumstances field, key: ‘FTE’ if the customer is undertaking full-time study ‘PTE’ if the customer is undertaking part-time study the date of effect will be the student start date If FTE is coded for JSP customers whose course is not approved as a short course, JSP will cancel, reason STU, and EdEP will automatically issue if qualified. The customer no longer qualifies for JSP because of participation in full-time study; they may wish to test their eligibility for a student payment. Customers should use the Payment and Service Finder if they need more help. See Resources for a link. If PTE is coded, the customer is not eligible for EdEP. See JobSeeker Payment (JSP) customers returning to (or continuing in) part-time study. Procedure ends here.
12	Customer is entitled to EdEP Select the system being used. Process Direct If the customer is entitled to EdEP, manually code the One Off Payments (OOP) screen: Go to the OOP screen Select Add On Create one off payment, complete the fields Service reason: select the payment type, select the appropriate payment type reason Payment type: select EDP Date of effect: the date the customer started studying, or today's date if study has not yet started, or the customer is in their second or subsequent year of study Select Save Update the fields: Receipt Date Channel Service Reason - if the system does not select a default Service Reason, select the most relevant Service Reason for the update Select Save Select Assess and address any errors/warnings Select Finish. Record details of the update Select Finalise to compete transaction Procedure ends here. Customer First/Customer Record If the customer is entitled to EdEP, manually code the One Off Payments (OOP) screen: Go to the OOP screen Key ‘EDP’ in the Payment type field The date of effect must be either: the date the customer started studying, or today's date if study has not yet started, or the customer is in their second or subsequent year of study Note: the OOP screen will not accept a date in the Effect date field that is more than 12 months in the past. After the activity is completed, the system will show the correct date on the OOP screen. Record a DOC and tell the customer the outcome. Procedure ends here.

EdEP entitlement

Table 2

Step	Description
1	Employment services provider managed customer is entitled to EdEP Select the customer's circumstance. If a job seeker with mutual obligation requirements contacts to request payment of EdEP The start date of the full-time approved course must be recorded on their Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) screen. Payment must not be issued until on or after the start date of the course. Select Customer Summary from the Process Direct landing page Enter their Customer Reference Number (CRN), select Go Key 'AEX' in the Super Key, press [Enter] The Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) will show Check if one the following codes is already present on the AEX screen: SHD (Short Course) SEI (Small Business Training) AME (Adult Migrant English Program) DLN (Skills for Education and Employment) Has the customer provided acceptable proof of enrolment or are one of the above codes present on the AEX screen? Yes: this is sufficient evidence and the customer is entitled to EdEP manually code the One Off Payments (OOP) screen, go to Step 5 No, go to Step 2 If a volunteer job seeker contacts to request payment of EdEP There will be no requirement to code SHD on the Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) screen. If they do not have written proof of enrolment (POE), tell the customer they must supply POE for assessment of eligibility to EdEP. Once POE is provided and the customer is assessed as eligible for EdEP, manually code the OOP screen and go to Step 5.
2	Points Based Activation System (PBAS) Dashboard Does the customer’s PBAS Dashboard include all required study information to assess EdEP? Yes: Manually code the OOP screen before the activity, code SHD transaction transfers from the employment services provider Go to Step 5 No: Tell the job seeker to contact their employment services provider to discuss including their short course as mutual obligation requirements The customer can supply proof of enrolment (POE) to assess EdEP Procedure ends here
3	Centrelink managed job seeker is entitled to EdEP Centrelink managed job seeker with mutual obligation requirements contacts to request payment of EdEP. The start date of the full-time approved course must be recorded on their Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) screen. Payment must not be issued until on or after the start date of the course. Select Customer Summary from the Process Direct landing page Enter the customer’s CRN and select Go Key ‘AEX’ in the Super Key and press [Enter] The AEX screen will show Check if one the following codes is already present on the AEX screen: SEI (Small Business Training) AME (Adult Migrant English Program) DLN (Skills for Education and Employment) Has the customer already started study in one of the above courses? Yes: This is sufficient evidence and the customer is entitled to EdEP Manually code the OOP screen Go to Step 5 No: If the customer has started a short course, go to Step 4 If study will commence in the future, go to Step 6
4	Centrelink managed job seeker starts a short course Check if Services Australia is permitted to approve a short course for the customer and if study needs to be added to the customer's Job Plan. See Part-time or full-time study as an approved activity for JobSeeker Payment (JSP). Is the short course accepted as an approved activity? Yes: Check it is an approved course under the short course guidelines If the course is approved, code the details on the Short Course Details screen. The Short Course Details screen can be accessed through the Participation Summary link in Process Direct If eligible, payment of EdEP is automatically assessed when coding is completed DOC the customer record using the keyword EDEPPAID and include the course details Procedure ends here No, pay EdEP manually, go to Step 5
5	Manually pay EdEP to a job seeker with mutual obligation requirements Select the system being used. Process Direct Go to the One Off Payments (OOP) screen Select Add On Create one off payment, complete the following fields: Service reason: select the appropriate payment type reason Payment type: select EDP Date of effect: must be either the date the customer started studying or today’s date, if study has not started yet or the customer is in their second or subsequent year of study Select Save Update the fields: Receipt Date Channel Service Reason - if the system does not select a default Service Reason, select the most relevant Service Reason for the update Select Save Select Assess and address any errors/warnings Select Finish. Record details of the update Select Finalise to complete the transaction Create a Fast Note and add the keyword EDEPPAID Procedure ends here Customer First Go to the One Off Payments (OOP) screen Complete the following fields: Payment type: select EDP Date of effect: must be either the date the customer started studying or today’s date, if study has not started yet or the customer is in their second or subsequent year of study Complete the activity. The system will show the correct date on the OOP screen Record a DOC and add the keyword EDEPPAID Procedure ends here
6	Study will start in the future Payment must not be issued to JobSeeker Payment (JSP) customers until on or after the start date of the course. In Customer First: Create a manual review on the review Registration (RVR) screen and complete the fields as follows: Service Reason: JSP Review Reason: STU (Follow Up Studies Commitment) Due Date: course start date Source: INT Date of Receipt: today’s date Notes: ‘Customer contacted on XX/XX/XXXX to advise they commence study in the future. Course start date is XX/XX/XXXX. Check to see if course can be accepted under short course guidelines and assess EdEP. See OB 108-08050000’ Keywords: SHDSTA Workgroup: leave blank Transfer to Region: leave blank The review will mature on the Due Date coded in the RVR activity. Workload Management will allocate the review for manual action DOC the customer’s record using the keyword EDEPPAID and include the course details Procedure ends here
7	Incorrect payment of EdEP If activity code SHD is coded for a student and the course is not full-time, they may not be entitled to EdEP. Note: if the system wants to pay EdEP for these students, go to the OOP screen while in the activity and record a NIL amount to stop the payment. Procedure ends here.
8	Check student eligibility for EdEP 12-month eligibility criteria for student payments Austudy, Youth Allowance (YA) and ABSTUDY students are eligible for EdEP if: they were receiving JobSeeker Payment (JSP) immediately before starting their course, and have been receiving any income support payment continuously for at least 12 months before getting a student payment. See References for more information about Notional continuous period of receipt of income support payments If an ABSTUDY skilled staff member is processing an ABSTUDY Living Allowance claim and needs to pay EdEP, see Table 3 > Step 9 in JobSeeker Payment (JSP) job seekers returning to full-time study. Otherwise, has the customer: claimed a student payment, and received JSP immediately before starting their course, and received any income support payment continuously for at least 12 months before getting a student payment? Yes: Manually code the Miscellaneous Update Details (NMIS) screen using the code 'FTE' within the student claim Event Date field: For Austudy or YA, key the student start date, or For ABSTUDY, key the grant date An EdEP payment will pay as part of the new claim assessment Procedure ends here No, and: they have not met the 12-month eligibility criteria: manually code the Miscellaneous Update Details (NMIS) screen using the code 'FTS' within the student claim Event Date field, key the grant date procedure ends here they are currently receiving a student payment, go to Step 9
9	Check for exemptions Is the customer receiving a student payment and has a participation exemption? Yes: EdEP is not payable to activity tested customers who have a participation exemption in place Record a DOC detailing why the customer is not eligible and explain the outcome to the customer Procedure ends here No, and: they have met the 12-month eligibility criteria before getting a student payment: manually code the OOP screen in Customer First key ‘EDP’ in the Payment type field if the customer is in their first year of study, code the course start date in the Date of Event field if the customer has already completed their first year of study, code 1 January of the current year in the Date of Event field record a DOC tell the customer the outcome they have not met the 12-month eligibility criteria before getting a student payment: DOC the record detailing why the customer is not eligible and explain the outcome to the customer procedure ends here