Aggregation of study load 010-22033035

Education providers break up academic years into shorter study periods such as semesters, trimesters, terms, etc. A student meets study load requirements for a study period if they are:

• enrolled in a course of study, and
• undertaking 75% (or an approved concessional study load percentage) of the normal amount of full-time study

However, if their study load in a study period is less than the required amount, they may be able to add the study loads of more than one study period together. This is known as aggregation of study load.

Students can use aggregation of study load if:

• they are studying in a tertiary (including VET) course
• they are:
  • able to enrol for the entire aggregation period at the start of the period, or
  • undertaking a subject/unit that runs across the entire aggregation period
• their study load over the aggregation period is 75% (or an existing approved concessional study load percentage) of the normal amount of full-time study, and
• the study periods that make up the aggregation period are consecutive

Where study loads for study periods are added together for the purpose of satisfying full-time study load requirements, these periods are to be counted as full-time when assessing satisfactory progress.

For example, student is part-time (0.250 EFTSL) in semester 1 and full-time (0.500 EFTSL) in semester 2. Aggregation assessment is completed and the customer is paid as a full-time student for both semesters. This equals 0.750 EFTSL, and counts as one full-time year for satisfactory progress purposes as they have been undertaking an aggregated full-time study load over the year.