Wholly dependent partners who have a dependent child and are receiving, or have received compensation for their partner's death are qualified 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.
The PES is a fortnightly non-means-tested payment and a part rate is payable to students undertaking a concessional study load.
Eligible wholly dependent partners must be undertaking “qualifying study”. 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 satisfactory.
If the dependent child is under 16 years of age, then a concessional study load may be undertaken and the person will still qualify for PES.
DVA clients receiving the following payments are also eligible for PES:
compensation for permanent impairment,
payments for additional compensation for impairment from another service injury or disease, or
interim compensation payments under section 7575 of the MRCA,
special rate disability pension, or
some payments to widows, partners and veterans under the VEA.
Eligibility for PES is administered by Services Australia and is subject to social security law. Delegates should not provide advice on eligibility beyond encouraging contact with Centrelink. Further information regarding the PES is available on the Centrelink website via the following link Pensioner Education Supplement - Services Australia
Specific DVA clients who have eligibility under the VEA are also eligible for Education Entry Payment (EdEP) payments from DVA. See Chapter 5.3 Education Entry Payment