Index
Student Learning Entitlement (SLE)
As part of the recent changes to higher education, contained in the Higher Education Support Act 2003, the Federal Government has introduced a Student Learning Entitlement (SLE). In order to provide greater opportunities for more students to access Commonwealth supported places, the government has allocated eligible persons an SLE. SLE is measured in EFTSL which is the proportion of a full-time load that a unit of study represents.
The total Student Learning Entitlement is made up of Ordinary SLE, any Additional SLE and Lifelong SLE. Previous study does not affect eligibility for or allocation of SLE. However, your SLE is expended as you undertake any study as a Commonwealth supported student. This has been in effect since 1 January 2005. Domestic full-fee students do not expend their SLE.
All eligible people were allocated an Ordinary SLE equivalent to seven EFTSL on 1 January 2005. This means that if you are in a Commonwealth Supported place you will be consuming SLE. You will be able to undertake approximately seven years of full-time study before you use up all your SLE. Once you have used all your SLE you must pay full-fees for any Higher Education study you undertake.
Additional SLE and Lifelong SLE provide for extra SLE under special circumstances and for eligible persons to accrue SLE to permit further study.
If you want further information about Ordinary SLE, additional SLE or Lifelong SLE please refer to the Going to Uni website.