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Student Learning Entitlement (SLE)

1. What is a Student Learning Entitlement?
2. Why is the Australian Government introducing a Student Learning Entitlement?
3. What does a Student Learning Entitlement actually give students?
4. How will the Student Learning Entitlement affect part-time students or students who study two courses concurrently?
5. When will students start using their Student Learning Entitlement?
6. How do I find out how much SLE I have used?

1. What is a Student Learning Entitlement?

A Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) enables students to access a Commonwealth supported place. From 1 January 2005, all Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent visas will receive a SLE, giving them access to seven years equivalent full-time study in a Commonwealth supported place (to be extended on a pro-rata basis if studying part-time).

As well as the ordinary SLE of seven years equivalent full-time study, eligible students may also receive additional SLE if they are enrolled in an undergraduate course that is longer than six years, an honours course, graduate entry bachelor degree or postgraduate course.

Eligible students will accrue lifelong SLE, which enables them to return to study as a Commonwealth supported student in order to retrain or broaden their skills.

2. Why is the Australian Government introducing a Student Learning Entitlement?

The Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) will provide greater opportunities for more students to gain access to a Commonwealth supported place as new entrants occupy places freed by students who have consumed their SLE.

3. What does a Student Learning Entitlement actually give students?

A Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) provides access to a Commonwealth supported place. A Commonwealth supported place is a place for which the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of the course.

Having SLE and a Commonwealth supported place does not give students automatic access to HECS-HELP loans. Only Australian citizens and holders of permanent humanitarian visas are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.

4. How will the Student Learning Entitlement affect part-time students or students who study two courses concurrently?

The Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) is provided and used in terms of study load, so that students who study part-time or study more than a full-time load will not be disadvantaged. For example, a student who studies exactly half a full-time load each year will have enough ordinary SLE to study for fourteen years on a part-time basis. The SLE won't expire and does not have to be used in consecutive years, so students can take a break from study if they want to.

5. When will students start using their Student Learning Entitlement?

All students in a Commonwealth supported place will begin using their Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) on 1 January 2005. A person's SLE will be reduced by the study load undertaken in a Commonwealth supported place.

Fee paying students and students undertaking enabling courses do not use their SLE.

6. How do I find out how much SLE I have used?

As a Commonwealth Supported Student, your provider will issue you the Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) within 28 days after the census date. The amount of your SLE used per session will be indicated in your CAN issued by your provider.

You can also check how much SLE you have used by logging into ‘myUniAssist’ at the Going to Uni website.