5.17.1 Pensioner Education Supplement

Former members who are eligible for permanent impairment payments and undertake “qualifying study” may be eligible for the Centrelink Pensioner Education Supplement (PES). This supplement is intended to assist with some of the ongoing costs of study. PES is not subject to an income or assets test.

Former members qualify for the Centrelink PES if they have a dependant child and are eligible to receive, or are receiving:

• payments of compensation for permanent impairment under section 68 of the MRCA;
• payments for additional compensation for impairment from another service injury or disease under section 71 of the MRCA; or
• interim compensation payments under section 75 of the MRCA.

Special Rate Disability Pension recipients who have a dependant child, and some veterans and their partners and widows who receive entitlements under the VEA, also qualify for PES.    

The Guide to Social Security Law states that a person is undertaking “qualifying study” for PES purposes if:

• they are enrolled in a course; OR
• they are a continuing student intending to enrol in a course of education at an educational institution; AND
• the course is an approved course of education or study; AND
• the recipient is a full-time student or a concessional study load student; AND
• the recipient's progress is assessed as satisfactory.

The PES is a fortnightly non-means-tested payment and a part rate is payable to students undertaking a concessional study load.  The current rate of PES is available on the Centrelink website at the following address:

Centrelink

Eligible former members should be encouraged to contact Centrelink for further details.