Study loads for Austudy

Full-time study

If you receive Austudy, you are considered a full-time student if you are studying an approved course at an approved institution, and:

• your course is considered full-time where you study, or
• your tertiary course has a HECS loading of at least 0.375 for each study period, or
• you are doing at least 75% of the full-time workload.

The full time workload for some courses cannot be easily determined. In certain circumstances we may be able to assess your eligibility as a full time student based on your hours of study at the institution.

If you are studying by correspondence you must also be studying full-time.

You may be considered a full-time student if your workload is reduced to at least 66% of the normal full-time workload because of:

• the course requirements, or
• a specific direction in writing from the academic registrar or equivalent officer, or
• a written recommendation from your deputy principal, academic registrar or equivalent for academic or vocational reasons.

Recommendations for academic or vocational reasons can apply for no longer than half of the academic year.

You may be able to undertake a study load of 25% of the normal full-time load if you have a disability.

Part-time study means you have a study load less than 75% of a full-time workload. Your study load may become part-time even if you only drop one subject. You need to tell us about any changes to your enrolment in case your payment is affected.

More information

• Austudy section