ABSTUDY and Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Rates of Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) 010-05070000

A student qualifies for ABSTUDY PES if they meet the general ABSTUDY eligibility criteria, receive one of the certain income support payments that attract Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) and also qualify for either, the Schooling B Award, Tertiary Award or a Masters or Doctorate Award.

A student qualifies for AIC PES where they meet one of the AIC isolation conditions, are boarding away from home, undertaking distance education or similar study or lives in a second family home to have access to local schooling. They are eligible for AIC PES instead of the normal AIC Allowance where they:

• receive Disability Support Pension (DSP) or Parenting Payment Single (PPS)
• are aged under 21 years, and
• are studying at primary level or the equivalent ungraded level

The rate of payment of ABSTUDY PES depends on the student's study load and qualifying payment.

A student receiving a qualifying income support payment and undertaking at least 50% of the normal full-time study load may be entitled to receive the normal rate of ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES).

A student receiving a qualifying income support payment who has been granted either:

• a disability study load concession, or
• a pensioner study load concession, and
• who undertakes between 25% and 49% of the normal full-time study load, may be paid half the normal rate of ABSTUDY PES

However, students in receipt of certain pensions, Disability Support Pension (DSP), Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), Invalidity Support Pension or DVA War Widow/er Pension in some circumstances) will be exempt from this reduction.

Note: students undertaking a studyload of less than 25% do not qualify for ABSTUDY PES, but may qualify for the ABSTUDY Part-time Award.

Refer to Claiming ABSTUDY.

AIC PES is paid as a single rate of $62.40 per fortnight where the student is living in a second family home or is in a private boarding arrangement.

Where the student is undertaking distance education or similar study, or is boarding at a residential institution, including a boarding school or school term hostel:

• before 1 January 2019, AIC PES was paid at an equivalent amount made in term in advance instalments
• from 1 January 2019, payments are made directly via ABSTUDY boarding instalment to the boarding school or hostel

The payment frequency rules of AIC PES, mentioned above, are in line with those for other AIC allowances.