The Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) is the amount of study you can undertake in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) in your lifetime.

All students will start with seven equivalent full-time study load (EFTSL) of Commonwealth-supported study. This is your SLE amount, with seven EFTSL equating to seven years of full-time study. From 1 January 2022, as you undertake study as a Commonwealth-supported student, your SLE balance will reduce by the EFTSL value of the units you undertake. Any study in a CSP with a census date before 1 January 2022 will not reduce your SLE amount.

A person can receive additional SLE in EFTSL, when undertaking certain courses or when certain events occur.

A person can have their SLE amount recredited where special circumstances apply or where their HELP balance is re-credited.

SLE calculation example:

John commenced a Bachelor of Commerce with a CSP on 1 January 2021. No units undertaken in 2021 reduced his SLE amount.

In 2022, John enrols in eight units of study, four in each semester. After the census date for the first semester he is still enrolled in the four units for semester one, John’s SLE amount reduces by 0.5 EFTSL. After the census date for the second semester John is still enrolled in the four units for semester two. His SLE amount reduces by a further 0.5 EFTSL.

His SLE amount at the end of the year will be:

Seven EFTSL minus one EFTSL (0.5 EFTSL x two semesters) = six EFTSL.

This means John has six years left of Commonwealth-supported study.