The Student Learning Entitlement is the amount of time a student can study in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP).
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What is Student Learning Entitlement (SLE)?
The SLE will give students 7 years of full-time subsidised study in Commonwealth supported places (CSP).
A year of full-time study is known as an Equivalent Full-Time Student Load (EFTSL). Your learning entitlement starts at 7 EFTSL and is called an ordinary SLE.
When does my SLE amount reduce?
Your SLE amount will reduce as you undertake study in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP), this does not occur however until after the census date for units you are enrolled in.
What courses count towards your Student Learning Entitlement?
Any study that you undertake in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) from 1 January 2022 will count towards your SLE amount. If you are unsure whether you are enrolled in a CSP, you can check your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) or check with your higher education provider.
Do my past CSP units count towards my Student Learning Entitlement?
Your SLE will not reduce for any study undertaken before 1 January 2022, only units of study with a census date after 1 January 2022 will count towards your SLE amount.
Where can I view my SLE amount?
Your SLE amount is available in myHELPbalance.
You will need your USI or CHESSN, student ID number and personal details to login to the website.
Can my SLE amount be re-credited?
You can have your SLE amount re-credited for units of study you did not withdraw from before the census date if you meet the criteria for 'special circumstances'.
What is additional SLE?
As some students will require more than 7 years of full-time study to complete a long degree, there are provisions that allow you to accrue additional SLE.
In addition to the 7 EFTSL of ordinary SLE that you are initially provided with, you can also accrue additional SLE under the following circumstances:
- if you are enrolled in an undergraduate course of study that has a course load of greater than 6 EFTSL
- if you are enrolled in an honours course of study and the course load of that course is less than or equal to 1 EFTSL
- if you are enrolled in a postgraduate course of study or a graduate entry bachelor degree.
Lifelong SLE
Noting that students may look to upskill/reskill and commence further study later in life, there are provisions for the accrual of lifelong SLE.
You will accrue 3 EFTSL of lifelong SLE the latter of:
- The first 1 January, 10 years from the date you commenced at a higher education provider;
- 1 January 2032; or
- If your course is restructured, and you are required to undertake more study than you would have otherwise, then you will accrue an amount of Lifelong SLE that is equivalent to the additional study you are required to undertake.