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Aggregation of study load 010-22033035

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This document outlines how study-load requirements are assessed for student payments administered by Services Australia.

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Aggregation of study-load

Update aggregation assessment

Aggregation of study-load

Table 1: For Service Officers trained in students.

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Item

Description

1

Aggregation

Aggregation means adding study-loads across 2 or more study periods to determine whether tertiary (including VET) students are undertaking full-time or concessional study.

An aggregation assessment may be necessary when:

  • a student enrols or re-enrols, or
  • there is a change to their study-load

For students to take advantage of the aggregation rules, they must:

  • be studying in a tertiary (including VET) course, and
  • maintain a study-load of 75% or approved concessional study-load across that period or academic year, and either:
    • be able to enrol in all study periods included in the aggregation assessment at the start of the enrolment period, or
    • be undertaking a subject/unit that runs across the entire aggregation/enrolment period

An aggregation/enrolment period:

  • contains all subjects/units that an education provider will allow the student to enrol in, at or before the beginning of the first subject/unit
  • starts from the start of the first subject/unit in the aggregation/enrolment period. It finishes at the end of the last subject/unit. The aggregation/enrolment period can be:
    • more than one semester or trimester, or
    • any another period defined by the education provider which reflects the student is enrolled

The study-load of a subject/unit may be allocated to the enrolment period that provides the most beneficial outcome to the student if:

  • the student is undertaking a subject/unit that begins in one enrolment period, and
  • the subject/unit ends in another enrolment period

2

Redefining an aggregated study period

An aggregated study period cannot be redefined back to a shorter study period if:

  • the study-load changes at a later date, and drops below:
    • 75% of a full-time study-load, or
    • an approved concessional study-load

The student will cease to qualify for the student payment, from the date the study-load reduced. See the Resources page for examples.

3

Unable to aggregate study-load

Aggregation will not apply if a student is unable to enrol in any period (for example, summer session) at the start of the aggregation/enrolment period.

4

Changes to study-load after an aggregation assessment has occurred (Youth Allowance (YA), Austudy and Pensioner Education Supplement (PES))

Students must maintain at least 75% of a full-time study-load or equivalent approved concessional study-load if:

  • they are receiving YA, Austudy or PES, and
  • their study-load has been aggregated

This means, if they reduce their study-load to below 75% or their approved concessional study-load, they will cease to be eligible for payment from the date that the study-load was reduced. The student may become eligible again if they are able to increase their study-load to at least 75% or to their approved concessional study-load. See the Resources page for examples of aggregation of study-load.

5

ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY PES only

An ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY PES higher education student can be considered full-time if they:

  • have an aggregated Equivalent Full-time Student Load (EFTSL) of at least 0.375 allocated to a half year period. The half year periods are 1 January to 30 June and 1 July to 31 December of the relevant year
  • are undertaking at least ¾ of the normal full-time study-load for a shorter period of enrolment (for example, summer school), where the education provider can define a full-time study-load for that period

Update aggregation assessment

Table 2: For Service Officers trained in students.

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Step

Action

1

Customer remains eligible for a student payment due to aggregation of study-load

If the customer has supplied evidence indicating they are meeting the study-load requirements over the entire aggregated enrolment period under the aggregation of study-load rules:

  • record detailed information regarding the decision and aggregation of study-load on a DOC
  • tell the customer to notify Services Australia within 14 days if their study-load reduces to below 75% or their approved concessional study-load

Go to Step 2.

2

Review exemption coding

Escalate to an appropriately skilled Service Officer to record a Review Exemption End Date where the student's study-load equals to at least:

  • 75% of the normal amount of full-time study, or
  • their approved concessional study-load over the aggregation/enrolment period

This will prevent unnecessary study-load reviews from occurring.

Is the student considered to be meeting their study-load requirements under the aggregation rules?