Please be advised that we have recently changed this definition in line with the Centrelink definition.

You’re studying full time if you’re doing 75% or more of your course’s full time study load. We work this out this using one of the following:

• your Equivalent Full Time Study Load (EFTSL)
• your credit points
• the number of hours you study. 

Example 1 – you’re studying a course based on EFTSL

Your university works out your study load using EFTSL. You can do up to 8 subjects per year, and the EFTSL weighting for each subject is the same.

In this example, 3 subjects in semester 1 and semester 2 equals 0.375 EFTSL for each semester. If you’re doing less than this in either semester, you’re considered part time.  

Example 2 – you’re studying a course based on credit points

The place you’re studying at says the total number of credit points for your course is 24 per semester. In this example, you’re studying 3 subjects worth 6 credit points each.

In this example the 75% study load is 18 credit points per semester. Because you’re completing 18 credit points, you are considered full time. If you’re doing less than this, you are considered part time.

Example 3 – you’re studying a course based on hours

The place you’re studying at says your course is 200 hours in total and the course length is 10 weeks.

In this example, if you’re doing at least 15 hours per week you are full time. If you’re doing less than this, you are considered part time.

Important notes:

• If you are not eligible under the Family membership, a new membership must be purchased to be covered and qualifying periods may apply.
• Apprenticeships are not considered full time study.
• When leaving high school and awaiting placement at a tertiary institution, AV may allow you to stay covered under the Family membership until 31st March the year after your high school study is completed, or until you tell us that you do not intend to study, whichever is the sooner.
• For short courses, such as example 3 above, you are no longer considered a Full-time student at the end of the course. You should consider you cover options for periods between different courses.  AV will allow 30 days from the end of your short course to either start a new Full-time study course, or purchase a single membership.