5.5 Pensioner Education Supplement

The Pensioner Education Supplement is paid in respect of students in receipt of certain social security pensions and is intended to contribute towards educational costs incurred by parents of eligible students.

To be eligible for the PES a student must:

• be studying at primary or equivalent ungraded level (see 3.4.5);
• be in receipt of a Disability Support Pension or a Parenting Payment (single); and
• qualify for either Boarding Allowance, Second Home Allowance or Distance Education Allowance (as applicable), except with regard to receipt of a pension.

Note: Eligibility conditions outlined in Parts 2, 3 and 4 must also be met. In particular, see special age rules for pensioner students at 3.3.

Secondary, tertiary, or equivalent students who receive a pension are not assisted under AIC. Such students on a Disability Support Pension may be eligible for the PES under the Social Security Act 1991 when they turn 16.  Secondary (or equivalent) students on a Parenting Payment (single) may be eligible for the PES under the Social Security Act 1991 from the minimum school leaving age in their State/Territory.

Note: Secondary students under the age of 16 and in receipt of a Parenting Payment (single) are not eligible for the PES under AIC.

See 5.6.6 for the current rate of entitlement for the Pensioner Education Supplement.