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.
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 75 of the MRCA,
- special rate disability pension, or
- some payments to widows, partners and veterans under the VEA.
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 http://www.facsia.gov.au/guides_acts/ssg/ssguide-5/ssguide-5.1/ssguide-5.1.7/ssguide-5.1.7.30.html
Eligible wholly dependent partners should be encouraged to contact Centrelink for further details.
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