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

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

Study progress measures

Progress is measured against the minimum amount of time it would normally take a student to complete a course (either full-time or part-time, plus an additional period). This is called allowable time.

Study in courses at the same level is measured against the time already spent in study at that level. The only progress rule for secondary students is students attempting the following for a third time do not qualify for PES unless previous attempts can be disregarded:

Year 12, or
a preparatory course that is specifically designed for entry to University that is at Year 12 level

Previous Year 12 attempts

PES students who have had 2 previous attempts to complete Year 12 studies may not usually be considered a full-time secondary student while attempting Year 12 for a third time. A Preparatory Course that is specifically designed for entry to University that is at Year 12 level also comes under progress rules for secondary study.

Previous attempts by a PES student to complete Year 12, or a preparatory course at the same level as Year 12, can be disregarded for any of the following reasons, if the student:

failed because English is not their first language
studied part-time
completed or discontinued studies in that year within six months of the start of the academic year
failed 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
undertook the previous course more than ten years ago

A student may also be making satisfactory progress while studying a reduced study load if they are undertaking at least 25% of the normal amount of full-time study and qualify for a study load concession.

Note: a student who is not making satisfactory progress for Year 12 or a Preparatory Course may be eligible for assistance for a different level of study.

See Determining allowable time/reasonable time for a course of study for progress rules for Year 12 students in Determining allowable time/reasonable time for a course of study.

Operational Information

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

Study progress measures

Previous Year 12 attempts

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