Rates of Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) 010-05080000

Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) is a non-means tested and non-taxable payments for students in receipt of certain qualifying income support payments. PES is paid at a flat rate of either $62.40 or $31.20 per fortnight depending on the student's study load and qualifying payment.

Where students undertake a full-time study load (at least 75 per cent of the normal amount of full-time work for the course), or are eligible for a 66 per cent study load concession, the higher rate is payable.

A student who is granted a 25 per cent study load concession but undertakes a study load of at least 50 per cent of the normal study load will also qualify for the higher rate.

A student who is granted a 25 per cent study load concession and undertakes a study load of at least 25 per cent but less than 50 per cent of the normal study load, will qualify for the reduced rate (half the higher rate), unless the student is in receipt of:

• a Disability Support Pension (DSP)
• an invalidity service pension, or
• an income support supplement on the grounds that they are permanently incapacitated for work

Students in receipt of these payments are entitled to the higher rate.