If you’re on a Centrelink payment and juggling study at the same time, the Pensioner Education Supplement could give you a bit of breathing room.
As of June 2025, eligible students can get up to $62.40 every fortnight to help with things like textbooks, transport, or internet bills.
It’s designed to make studying more manageable for people who are already doing it tough financially.
What Is the Pensioner Education Supplement?
The Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) is a non-taxable, non-means-tested payment designed to assist eligible recipients with ongoing study costs. It’s paid in addition to your primary income support payment and aims to support those undertaking approved courses to enhance their employment prospects.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Pensioner Education Supplement, you must:
Be receiving a qualifying income support payment from Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), such as:
- Carer Payment
- Disability Support Pension
- JobSeeker Payment (as a single principal carer)
- Parenting Payment (Single)
- Special Benefit (as a single parent)
- Invalidity Service Pension
- Partner Service Pension
- Veteran Payment
- Income Support Supplement
- War Widow(er) Pension
- Carer Service Pension
Be enrolled in an approved course at an approved education provider, studying either full-time or part-time (with certain conditions for part-time study).
Meet the residence rules, which generally require you to be living in Australia as an Australian resident.
Payment Rates
The amount you receive depends on your study load and circumstances:
- $62.40 per fortnight: If you’re studying at least a 50% full-time course load and receiving certain qualifying payments.
- $31.20 per fortnight: If you’re studying less than a 50% full-time course load and receiving certain qualifying payments.
Note: Specific conditions apply based on your payment type and study load.
How to Claim the Pensioner Education Supplement Centrelink Payment
You can claim the Pensioner Education Supplement through the following methods:
- Online: If your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov, sign in and select “Apply for the Pensioner Education Supplement” to start your claim.
- Phone: Call the Youth and Students line for assistance.
- Paper Form: Download and complete the Claim for Pensioner Education Supplement form (SY004), then submit it by mail or in person at a service centre.
Ensure you have supporting documents ready, such as proof of enrolment and details of your study arrangements.
Approved Courses and Providers
To get the Pensioner Education Supplement from Centrelink, your course needs to be on the approved list. The good news is there’s a wide range of options. You could be doing:
- High school or senior secondary subjects
- A TAFE certificate or diploma
- A university degree (undergraduate or even some postgrad courses)
As long as your course is recognised and you’re enrolled at an approved education provider, you’re likely to meet this requirement.
Conclusion
If you’re juggling study while receiving Centrelink support, the Education Supplement could give you the extra financial breathing room you need.
Whether you’re returning to school, learning new skills, or finishing a qualification, this payment can help cover some of the everyday costs that come with being a student.
It’s worth checking if you’re eligible, knowing what payments you’re on, the kind of course you’re doing, and how to apply can make all the difference.
The process is straightforward, and the support could go a long way in making study more manageable.
To learn more or to get started, head over to the official Services Australia website for all the details.
