Education Entry Payment 2026: One-Off Payment for Study — How to Claim
Complete guide to the Education Entry Payment. Who qualifies, how much you get, qualifying courses, and step-by-step instructions to claim this one-off Centrelink payment.
What Is the Education Entry Payment?
The Education Entry Payment (EdEP) is a one-off payment of $208.00 from Centrelink to help with the costs of starting an approved course of study. It's designed to help cover upfront education expenses like textbooks, stationery, course materials, and equipment. You can receive EdEP once per calendar year if you're receiving an eligible Centrelink payment and you start a qualifying course. Unlike ongoing payments that require regular reporting, EdEP is a single lump sum paid when you meet the eligibility criteria. It's one of the lesser-known Centrelink payments — many people who qualify don't know it exists or don't realise they can claim it. If you're receiving an income support payment and starting any form of approved study, check whether you qualify before your course begins.
How Much and How Often?
The Education Entry Payment is $208.00 — paid as a one-off lump sum. You can receive it once per calendar year (January to December). If you start multiple courses in the same year, you only receive one EdEP for the year. If you receive EdEP in December 2025 and start another course in January 2026, you can receive it again because it's a new calendar year. The payment is made within 14 days of Centrelink confirming your eligibility and course enrolment. It's paid into your regular Centrelink bank account. EdEP is tax-free and is not counted as income for any Centrelink income or assets test. It also doesn't affect your regular payment amount. While $208 may seem modest, it covers a significant portion of typical textbook and stationery costs for a semester, and combined with other study-related support, helps reduce the financial barrier to education.
Who Qualifies?
To receive EdEP, you must meet all of the following criteria. You must be receiving an eligible Centrelink payment: JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance (job seeker), Parenting Payment (single or partnered), Disability Support Pension, Special Benefit, or a partner of someone receiving one of these payments who is also listed as a job seeker. You must have been receiving an eligible payment for at least 12 months (not necessarily continuously — there can be breaks of up to 13 weeks). You must be enrolled in an approved course of education or training. You must not have received EdEP already in the same calendar year. Age Pension recipients and Carer Payment recipients are not eligible for EdEP. If you're on Youth Allowance as a student (rather than job seeker), you're also not eligible as the course itself is what qualifies you for Youth Allowance.
What Courses Qualify?
EdEP covers a broad range of approved courses and training programs. Qualifying courses include: TAFE courses (Certificate I through Advanced Diploma), university courses (undergraduate and postgraduate), adult education courses, accredited training programs through registered training organisations (RTOs), approved online courses, language and literacy courses, Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program courses, and courses approved as part of your Employment Pathway Plan. The course must be at least 12 months in duration or be a component of a longer qualification. Short workshops and single-day training sessions generally don't qualify. The course doesn't need to be full-time — part-time study qualifies, as does distance or online study. If you're unsure whether your course qualifies, check with your employment services provider or call Centrelink on 136 150 before enrolling.
How to Claim — Step by Step
Step 1: Confirm you've been receiving an eligible payment for at least 12 months — check your payment history in myGov. Step 2: Enrol in your chosen course and obtain a confirmation of enrolment letter from the education provider. Step 3: Contact Centrelink to claim EdEP — you can do this by calling 136 150, visiting a service centre, or in some cases through your employment services provider. Step 4: Provide your enrolment confirmation to Centrelink. They may also contact your education provider to verify. Step 5: Once approved, the $208 payment will be made to your bank account within 14 days. There's no online claim form for EdEP — it's typically processed by calling Centrelink or through your employment services provider. Some providers proactively check whether their clients qualify and help them claim. If your provider hasn't mentioned EdEP, ask them about it when you discuss your study plans.
Combining EdEP With Other Study Support
EdEP isn't the only financial support available when you start studying. Other supports you may be able to access include: Pensioner Education Supplement (PES): $62.40 per fortnight for eligible pension recipients studying approved courses — this is an ongoing fortnightly payment, not a one-off. Student Start-Up Loan: $1,106 per semester (available to Youth Allowance and Austudy students) — note this is a loan, not a grant, and must be repaid through the tax system like HECS. ABSTUDY: additional study support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Fee-Free TAFE: state-run programs offering free TAFE places for many courses — check your state's TAFE website. Scholarship programs: many universities and TAFEs offer equity scholarships for students from low-income backgrounds. If you're starting study, investigate all of these options to build the most comprehensive support package.
Impact on Your Regular Payment and Mutual Obligations
Starting study can affect your Centrelink payment and obligations in several ways. If you're on JobSeeker and start full-time study, you may need to transfer to Austudy or Youth Allowance (student) — which may pay a different rate. However, some approved part-time study can be counted toward your mutual obligation requirements while you remain on JobSeeker. Your employment services provider can advise whether your course can count as an approved activity. If the course is included in your Employment Pathway Plan, you can study while remaining on JobSeeker and meeting your obligations through the course rather than job searching. For Parenting Payment recipients, starting study doesn't affect your payment unless it changes your income. DSP recipients can study without affecting their payment, though you should notify Centrelink of any changes to your circumstances.
Tips for Making the Most of EdEP
Plan your course timing: since EdEP is available once per calendar year, consider starting your course early in the year so you can access the payment again the following January if you're still studying. Buy textbooks second-hand: many courses require expensive textbooks — check the university bookshop's second-hand section, student Facebook groups, and websites like StudentVIP for used copies at 50-80% off. Use digital resources: many textbooks are available as cheaper e-books, and your institution's library will have copies available for loan. Apply for additional support: ask your education provider about equity scholarships, bursaries, and material loan programs. Some TAFEs and universities have emergency financial assistance funds. Check your equipment needs: some courses require specific equipment (a laptop, tools, art supplies). If you need a laptop, NILS (No Interest Loan Scheme) can provide up to $2,000 for essential study equipment with no interest and no fees.
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General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.