Are you on a benefit?
Are you or your partner thinking of starting tertiary study? Are you or your partner currently receiving a benefit from Work and Income? This section has information about whether your benefit can continue while you study, or whether you need to transfer to the Student Allowance or could get a Student Loan. Before you make any decisions it’s important to talk to your case manager.
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Study and your benefit
If you're thinking of going into tertiary level study, you need to talk to your Work and Income case manager first. They can guide you on how studying could affect your (and your partner's) eligibility for benefits and extra help (supplementary assistance).
In most cases you cannot study full-time and stay on a Work and Income benefit, but you may be able to get the Student Allowance instead. The rate of weekly payments and eligibility for extra help could change for you (and your partner).
There are some benefit types that allow you to remain on the benefit while studying full-time, and you may be eligible for help with your study costs from Work and Income as well. Check this with your case manager.
Talk to your case manager before you apply
It’s important that you first talk to your Work and Income case manager, and make an informed decision.
If you’ve had a discussion with your case manager and you decide to transfer from a benefit to study assistance, the first thing you will need to do is apply online. It’s important to understand that the majority of StudyLink’s services are online. You can manage most of your changes or details online as well, so you will not be allocated a case manager.
Definition of full-time study
Before we can determine if you are eligible for a benefit or a Student Allowance we will need to know if your study is full-time or part-time.
Whether you are considered to be studying full-time is based on an Equivalent Full-Time Student (EFTS) value. Your education provider will be able to tell you the EFTS value of your course.
