Aggregation of study load 010-22033035

An aggregation period:

• is made up of consecutive study periods
• includes all subjects/units that an education provider will allow the student to enrol in, at or before the beginning of the first subject/unit
• starts from the beginning of the first subject/unit in the aggregation period and finishes at the end of the last subject/unit. The aggregation period can be:
  • more than one semester or trimester, or
  • any other period defined by the education provider in which the student is enrolled

The study load of a subject/unit may be allocated to the enrolment period that provides the most beneficial outcome to the student if the subject/unit:

• begins in one enrolment period, and
• ends in another enrolment period

ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) only

Aggregation periods for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY PES higher education students are:

• half year periods:
  • 1 January to 30 June, and
  • July to 31 December
• a shorter period of enrolment (for example, summer school), where the education provider can define a full-time study load for that period
• a calendar year if the:
  • institution's normal period of enrolment is a year, or
  • student is undertaking a year-long subject/unit within their course of study

Go to Step 2.

There is no requirement for evidence of study load for an aggregation assessment in a new claim or claim re-assessment if the student advises:

• they are enrolled in the entire aggregation period at the start of the period, and
• their study load adds up to at least 75% of the Equivalent Full-time Student Load (EFTSL) over the aggregation period, or
• they have an approved concessional study load, and their study load adds up to that concessional study load percentage over the aggregation period. For example, a student is approved for a 66% concessional aggregated study load if:
  • they have a concessional study load which is assessed and approved before applying aggregation, and
  • the study load over the aggregation period adds up to at least 66%

All other aggregation assessments, including historical cancellation and regrant of Youth Allowance (YA) or Austudy, require evidence confirming the student's total study load over the aggregation period.

Suitable evidence may include:

• proof of enrolment documents
• academic transcripts, or
• correspondence from the education provider

Go to Step 3.

An aggregation assessment may be appropriate when a student:

• enrols or re-enrols with a part-time study load, or
• reduces their study load to part-time

Is the student advising of part-time study in a study period that has previously been included in an aggregation of study load assessment?

• Yes, for:
  • ABSTUDY or ABSTUDY PES, go to Step 10
  • all other payments, go to Step 9
• No, for:
  • ABSTUDY or ABSTUDY PES, go to Step 6
  • all other payments, go to Step 4

Does the student have a study load of at least 75%, or an existing approved concessional study load over the aggregation period?

• Yes, go to Step 5
• No, go to Step 7

Check if the student is able to enrol in multiple study periods at the same time. For higher education providers, this is available on the Assessing Information tab on the provider's National Course Approvals page.

Was the student able to enrol in all study periods in the aggregation period at the start of the aggregation period?

• Yes, go to Step 8
• No, go to Step 7

To calculate study load:

• combine all the enrolled units in the aggregation period
• see the Assessing Information tab on the education provider’s National Course Approvals page, note:
  • the 100% study load requirements for each study period in the aggregation period
  • if the provider allows students to enrol in multiple study periods at the same time
• check the semester and term dates for the study periods in the aggregation period

Is the student able to enrol in all study periods, and undertaking 75% (or an approved concessional study load percentage) of the normal amount of full-time study?

• Yes, go to Step 8
• No, go to Step 7

Reassess eligibility for the student payment. See:

• Changing study load from full-time to part-time or concessional study load for Youth Allowance (YA), Austudy or PES, or
• Decreasing study load for ABSTUDY or ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES)

Procedure ends here.

If the customer meets study load requirements for the aggregation period:

• record detailed information regarding the decision and aggregation of study load on a DOC
• do not make any updates to the Newstart Education Status (NES) or Education Course Details (EDC) screens
• tell the customer to notify Services Australia within 14 days if their study load reduces to below:
  • 75%, or
  • their approved concessional study load
• to prevent unnecessary student reviews, create an open work item using Fast Note - select Auto text, use Students, ABSTUDY, Apprentices > Student Payment Review > Student Payment Review Exemption. Record the:
  • review exemption end date as the last day of aggregated study load, and
  • reason for review exemption as aggregation of study load

Procedure ends here.

Students must maintain a 75% or approved concessional study load for the whole aggregation period.

The aggregation period cannot be redefined back to a shorter standard study period (for example, a semester) if the student reduces their study load to below 75% or the approved concessional study load for the aggregation period. This is even if the study load for the current study period is full-time.

The student ceases to be eligible for a student payment from the date the study load reduced. See the Changing study load from full-time to part-time example on the Resources page.

The student may become eligible again if they are able to increase their study load to at least 75% or to their approved concessional study load.

See Changing study load from full-time to part-time or concessional study load for Youth Allowance (YA), Austudy or PES.

Procedure ends here.

Students must maintain a 75% or approved concessional study load for the whole aggregation period.

If the student reduces their study load to below 75% or the approved concessional study load for the aggregation period, eligibility for ABSTUDY Living Allowance ceases from the date the study load reduced, except where they are full-time in the current study period.

If the student:

• no longer meets the required aggregated study load and is:
  • not full-time in the current study period, they are not eligible for ABSTUDY from the date of change. See Decreasing study load for ABSTUDY or ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES).
  • full-time in the current study period, no updates are required. The student still meets full-time study load for the current semester
• continues to meet the required aggregated study load, no updates are required

Note: make updates when notified, even if the customer advises the study load will change in the future.

Record detailed information regarding the decision and aggregation of study load on a DOC.

Procedure ends here.