Education Entry Payment

This page explains what the Education Entry Payment is, who is eligible, and how to apply for payment.

What is the Education Entry Payment?

The Education Entry Payment assists with the costs of enrolling in a course of study to develop skills, obtain a qualification, or to improve employment prospects.

Only one payment is made in each calendar year. The payment is available if you are a new or existing student. The annual rate of payment is $208.00 and is taxable.

It can be paid if you are getting certain payments under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA)

Who is eligible?

To be eligible you must be receiving one of the following payments:

• Service Pension Invalidity
• Service Pension Partner, if your partner is getting Service Pension Invalidity
• Veteran Payment
• Income Support Supplement.

In addition, you must be all of the below:

• under pension age
• enrolled or intend to enrol in either a full-time or part-time approved education course
• eligible for Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) paid by Services Australia.

Not all DVA clients who are eligible for PES will also be eligible for Education Entry Payment. This is because it can only be paid to people receiving certain payments under the VEA.

For more information about PES please contact Services Australia.

What is pension age?

If you receive Service Pension Invalidity, pension age is 60 years of age.

For all other payments, Social Security Age Pension age of 67 years applies.

How to apply for payment

There is no claim form needed for Education Entry Payment, but you must submit a written request.

You can email your request to GeneralEnquiries@dva.gov.au.

If you prefer to post or submit a request in person, please visit Contact us for details.

Please also provide any of the below to support your request:

• a PES statement
• confirmation from Services Australia of your eligibility for PES
• an offer of a place in an approved course
• acceptance of a place in an approved course
• a student identity card
• a higher education contribution statement
• receipt of payment of course fees.

What other study assistance is available from DVA?

Former members of the Australian Defence Force may be eligible for assistance with educational retraining as part of a vocational rehabilitation program. 

For more information, please see Rehabilitation.