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Assessing qualifying study for Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) 010-05110010

This document outlines how to determine whether a student is undertaking qualifying study for Pensioner Education Supplement (PES).

Assessing qualifying study for PES

Step	Action
1	Gather details about the course and the educational provider from Section B of the ‘Claim for Pensioner Education Supplement' form (SY004) Has the student completed a degree at Masters or Doctorate level? Note: if the course has been completed overseas and is at an undergraduate level, it may be disregarded. If the course is at the Masters or Doctorate level, the Australian equivalent needs to be determined. Yes, the student is not eligible for Pensioner Education Supplement (PES). Reject the PES claim and record details of the decision on a DOC. Procedure ends here No, go to Step 2
2	Currently studying or intending to study at Masters or Doctorate level Is the student currently studying or intending to study a course at a Masters or Doctorate level? Yes, go to Step 3 No, go to Step 4
3	Doctorate courses and PES Doctorate courses are not approved courses for PES unless they are: Combined Bachelor/Masters degree courses - only the normal full-time length of a related Bachelor degree course can be approved See Policy for links relating to these exceptions. Note: all students undertaking Masters course on the approved course list are to be considered undertaking approved study for the purposes of Pensioner Education Supplement. See the National Course Approvals sub-site. Is the student studying or intending to study a Masters or Doctorate course covered by the exception above? Yes, go to Step 4 No, reject the claim for PES and record details of decision on a DOC. Procedure end here
4	Undertaking qualifying study Qualifying study for PES is study which is: undertaken as a full-time study load or under a study load concession, and an approved course of study as set out in the Ministerial Determination of Education Provider’s and Courses To find out if a course is approved, see Approved courses of study for Youth Allowance (YA), Austudy and Pensioner Education Supplement (PES). Is the student undertaking study in an approved course? Yes, go to Step 5 No, reject the claim for PES and record details of decision on a DOC.Procedure end here
5	At least 75% of the normal amount of full-time study Is the student undertaking or intending to undertake at least 75% of the normal amount of full-time study? For more information about study loads, see Assessing study load requirements. Yes, go to Step 7 No, go to Step 6
6	Eligible under the study load concession rules Is the student eligible under the study load concession rules? If the student is undertaking between 66% - 75% of the normal amount of full-time study, they may qualify for a two-thirds concessional study load. Note: for more information, see Assessing eligibility for 66% concessional study load for PES If the student is undertaking between 25% - 66% of the normal amount of full-time study, they may qualify for a 25% concessional study load. Note: for more information, see Assessing eligibility for 25% concessional study load for PES Yes, go to Step 7 No, reject the claim for PES and record details of decision on a DOC. Procedure end here
7	The student is undertaking qualifying study for PES To qualify for PES, the student also needs to satisfy all of the following: be receiving 1 of the qualifying payments for Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) satisfy the PES residence requirements be of PES age, and making satisfactory progress in their course as a: secondary student, or tertiary student Record details of any decision or discussion with student on a DOC.