Aggregation of study load 010-22033035

On 15 December 2023, Mahek enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts at Monash University and claimed Youth Allowance (YA).

Mahek enrolled in:

• 0.250 Equivalent Full-time Student Load (EFTSL) in Semester 1 2024, and
• 0.500 EFSTL in Semester 2 2024

Mahek’s aggregation period is the full year:

• the start of Semester 1 to the last day of Semester 2 2024

Mahek enrolled in a 75% study-load across the full year, prior to the aggregation period commencing at the start of Semester 1 2024.

Monash University allows students to enrol at the beginning of the year for the full year.

Mahek is meeting full-time study-load requirements under the aggregation of study-load rules.

In January 2024, Julie enrolled in a Bachelor of Music at the University of Melbourne and claimed Austudy. Julie enrolled in an EFTSL of 0.375 (75% of the normal amount of full-time study) in both Semester 1 and 2 before commencing Semester 1 on 23 February 2024.

On 17 March 2024, Julie's study-load in Semester 1 reduces to 0.250 EFTSL. An aggregation assessment was conducted as Julie provided evidence, showing enrolment across the enrolment/aggregation period (Semester 1 and 2) from the start of the year. The assessment revealed that from 17 March 2024, Julie had an EFTSL of 0.625 across the year. As a result of the assessment, Julie is not eligible for Austudy from 17 March, due to no longer maintaining 75% a full-time study-load in either Semester 1 (as a stand-alone) or across the academic year (Semester 1 and 2 combined).

On 2 June 2024 (prior to the end of Semester 1), Julie's Semester 2 study-load increased to 0.500 EFTSL, prompting another aggregation assessment. This assessment showed Julie's EFTSL is now 0.750 across the entire enrolment period, satisfying the full-time student obligations again from 2 June 2024.

Julie would not be eligible for Austudy from 17 March 2024 to 1 June 2024, as Julie is not considered a full-time student for this period.

On 30 September 2024, Julie drops one subject bringing the study-load back down to 0.375 EFTSL in Semester 2, and 0.625 EFTSL across the year. Even though Julie would be considered to have a study-load of at least 75% in Semester 2 only, aggregation of Semester 1 and Semester 2 was already previously approved in order to be paid as a full-time student from 2 June 2024. Julie, therefore, cannot redefine the aggregated study period to a shorter period, being Semester 2.

The assessment revealed that from 30 September 2024, Julie dropped to 0.625 EFTSL across the year. As a result of the assessment, Julie was not eligible for Austudy from 30 September 2024, as she no longer maintained a 75% full-time study-load across the academic year.

Julie is still entitled to Austudy for Semester 2 until 30 September 2024. Julie's entitlement in Semester 1 is not reassessed based on this change. At the time, Julie was paid Austudy under the aggregation rules, normal study-load requirements were satisfied.

Alice commenced a Bachelor of Arts in Semester 2, 2024 after a break in study. Her enrolment shows a study-load in Semester 2 of 0.250 EFTSL. This is insufficient study-load to qualify as a full-time student in Semester 2 on its own. However, Alice also enrolled in Summer Semester 2024, with a 0.125 EFTSL at the same time as enrolling in Semester 2, 2024 with 0.250 EFTSL, bringing the total for the enrolment period of Semester 2, 2024 and Summer Semester to 0.375 EFTSL.

As the Summer Semester is consecutive with Semester 2, 2024 she can aggregate the study-loads. As Summer Semester is not a compulsory study period, the normal amount of full-time study would remain at 0.500 EFTSL and 0.375 EFTSL would satisfy the 75% requirement.

Alice would be considered to be undertaking full-time study over the aggregate study period of Semester 2, 2024 and Summer Semester.

Lily has enrolled in a Bachelor of Science at Deakin University in 2024. She enrolled across the three Trimesters with 0.250 EFTSL in each Trimester. As Trimester 1 and 2 are considered compulsory (Trimester 3 is an optional study period), the normal amount of full-time study for Trimester 1 and 2 is 0.500 EFTSL therefore 0.250 EFTSL is insufficient to satisfy full-time study requirement in Trimester 1 and 2.

However, she can aggregate all three trimesters with a study-load of 0.750 EFTSL for the year, which is sufficient to be considered a full-time student.

On 14 May 2024 (prior to commencing Trimester 2), Lily alters her enrolment so that she has no enrolment in Trimester 2, 2024 and 0.500 EFTSL in Trimester 3, 2024. While she is still enrolled in a total of 0.750 EFTSL for the academic year, she cannot take advantage of aggregation of study-load because she has no enrolment in the compulsory Trimester 2, 2024. The study periods are not consecutive.

Lily would cease to be qualified from 14 May 2024, as her study-load for the year dropped below 0.750 EFTSL for the academic year and she does not have a study-load of 0.375 EFTSL for the Trimester. However, she would qualify in Trimester 3, 2024 with a study-load of 0.375 EFTSL. Note that Lily would not lose qualification for the period prior to 14 May 2024 as she was, on the basis of aggregation, enrolled and undertaking 75% of the normal amount of full-time study. This situation only changed as of 14 May 2024.

Braxton is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychology. In 2025, Braxton is undertaking a full-time study-load. In 2026, Braxton will have a 0.250 EFTSL in Semester 1, and 0.375 EFTSL in Semester 2.

While Braxton will maintain 75% of a full-time study-load in Semester 2 2026, Braxton's study-load in Semester 1 is insufficient to be considered full-time. Therefore, Braxton would be ineligible for ABSTUDY Living Allowance during Semester 1 2026.

Braxton enquires about aggregation of study-load rules. Braxton is advised that the study-load from Semesters 1 and 2 2026, would only provide an aggregated total of 0.625 EFTSL, which is insufficient to satisfy the full-time study-load requirement across the full year.

Braxton then enrols in the upcoming Summer Semester, which commences end of 2025 and continues into 2026. The study-load for the Summer Semester is 0.125 EFTSL.

Braxton can then use the Summer Semester to aggregate with Semester 1 2026, to give a 0.375 aggregated EFTSL in the 1 January to 30 June 2026 half year period.