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.
For example
A provider offers a three-year bachelor degree worth 3 EFTSL in total. It has a full-time study load of 4 units each semester (0.125 EFTSL per unit).
Rana is enrolled in this course, commencing on 1 January 2022, and is undertaking a full-time study load. It will take her three years to complete the course and when she has completed it, she will have a remaining SLE amount of 4 EFTSL for future study.
Liam is enrolled in the same course, commencing on 1 January 2022, and is undertaking a part-time study load of two units each semester (0.5 EFTSL per year). He will finish the course in six years, and will have a remaining SLE amount of 4 EFTSL for any future study.
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.
For Example
Hamza enrolled in a CSP with an SLE balance of 4 EFTSL undertaking a study load of 0.5 EFTSL with a census date of 03 April 2025. If he had remained enrolled in these units after the census date, his SLE amount will reduce to 3.5 EFTSL on 04 April 2025.
Maddie is enrolled in a CSP with an SLE balance of 4 EFTSL undertaking a study load of 0.5 EFTSL with a census date of 03 April 2025. However, she withdrew from these units on 01 April 2025 and so her SLE amount remained at 4 EFTSL.
What course units count towards your SLE?
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 SLE?
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.
For example
Juan started a three year bachelor degree in January 2021 and undertook a full-time study load.
The 1 EFTSL of units of study he undertook in his first year in 2021, will not reduce his SLE amount. Only the 2 EFTSL undertaken from 1 January 2022 for his second and third years will reduce his SLE amount.
Juan has 5 EFTSL left: 7 EFTSL – 2 EFTSL = 5 EFTSL. You can use this remaining 5 EFTSL to undertake future Commonwealth Supported Study.
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'.
Useful links and resources
Find further information on cancelling your HELP debt under '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 if you are enrolled in a CSP in one of the following course types:
- an undergraduate course of study that has a course load of greater than 6 EFTSL
- an honours course of study and the course load of that course is less than or equal to 1 EFTSL
- a postgraduate course of study or a graduate entry bachelor degree.
Additional SLE – Undergraduate
The amount of additional SLE you will receive when you enrol in an undergraduate course of study has a course load greater than 6 EFTSL is Course load + 1 EFTSL - 7 EFTSL (ordinary SLE) - Additional SLE previously used for any other course of study.
If you enrol in an undergraduate double degree in law and engineering that has a total course load of 6.5 EFTSL and have not previously used any additional SLE for another course of study, the amount of additional SLE you would accrue would be 0.5 EFTSL.
Additional SLE - Postgraduate
The amount of additional SLE you will receive when you enrol in an honours or postgraduate course of study is Course load - Additional SLE previously used for any other course of study.
If you enrol in a postgraduate course of study with a course load of 2 EFTSL and have not previously used any additional SLE for another course of study, the amount of additional SLE that you will accrue would be 2 EFTSL.
For example, if you enrolled in a Bachelor of Medical Science with a course load of 3 EFTSL, and you undertake a postgraduate Medicine course with a course load of 4 EFTSL following this and have not previously used any additional SLE for another course of study, the amount of additional SLE that you would accrue would be 4 EFTSL.
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.