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Assessing satisfactory progress for secondary students for Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) 010-05110040

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This document outlines how to assess if a customer is making satisfactory progress in their secondary studies to qualify for Pensioner Education Supplement (PES).

Assessing satisfactory progress for PES secondary students

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Step

Action

1

Customer contacts Smart Centre Telephony

Is the Service Officer skilled in PES processing?

  • Yes, go to Step 2
  • No, record the details in a Fast Note - select Auto Text, use Students, ABSTUDY & Apprentices > Pensioner Education Supplement > PES Study. Update Action DOC. Procedure ends here

2

Secondary studies

Students undertaking secondary studies other than a third or subsequent attempt at Year 12, or a preparatory course that is specifically designed for entry to university that is at Year 12 level:

  • are generally considered to be making satisfactory progress in their course and therefore, qualify for Pensioner Education Supplement (PES), if:
    • they meet all the other qualification and payability provisions

Note: where exceptional circumstances apply and unable to make a determination, the case can be referred to the relevant Level 2 Policy helpdesk. See the Resources page for a link.

3

Disregarding previous attempts at Year 12

Previous attempts by a PES student at Year 12, or a preparatory course that is specifically designed for entry to university that is at Year 12 level, can be disregarded if the:

  • student failed because English was not their first language
  • student studied part-time
  • student completed or discontinued studies in that year within six months of the start of the academic year
  • student failed the year because of an illness that had not been diagnosed when the student started study in that calendar year, or for other circumstances beyond the student's control that were not evident before the student started study in that year
  • student undertook the previous course more than 10 years ago

Can any of the student's previous attempts at Year 12, or a preparatory course at the same level as Year 12 be disregarded?

4

Third or subsequent attempt

After disregarding previous attempts, is this now the student's third or subsequent attempt at Year 12 or a preparatory course that is specifically designed for entry to university that is at Year 12 level?

  • Yes, the student is not making satisfactory progress. Go to Step 5
  • No, the student is making satisfactory progress in their secondary course. Go to Step 6

5

The student has not made satisfactory progress and does not qualify for PES

Complete the following tasks:

6

Customer making satisfactory progress

If the customer satisfies the progress rules, complete the following tasks:

  • Tell the student of the allowable time for their course
  • Tell the student that if they withdraw from the course or cease to undertake a full-time or concessional study load, they will not qualify for PES
  • Tell the student to notify, within 14 days, any changes in their circumstances
  • Make sure correct education details are coded on the system
  • Record details of the decision and any discussion with the student on a DOC