Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) (transition to work) approved activities and time limit 007-17103151

To meet the study requirements for ACCS (transition to work) a customer must be undertaking at least one approved course of education or study with an approved education provider, and be making satisfactory progress.

An approved education course for the purposes of ACCS (transition to work) includes:

• Secondary course, such as year 12 or similar
• Preparatory course (to prepare for tertiary study only)
• A course between a Certificate II to Graduate Diploma (AQF level 2 to 8), for further detail see Study levels for ACCS (transition to work)

Service Officers should conduct relevant checks to ensure the course the customer has enrolled in is with an approved education provider.

Further proof of enrolment information is required for customers studying with Open Universities Australia. If the customer is unable to provide evidence that they are registered with an educational institution to receive credit towards a qualification, they are not eligible for ACCS (transition to work).

The study load requirements for ACCS (transition to work) are the same as the study load requirements for income support payments for study activities. For more information, see Assessing study load requirements.

If a customer meets the study load requirements for their income support payment, they will also meet the study load requirements for ACCS (transition to work). In general, to be eligible for ACCS (transition to work), the customer needs to:

• be studying at least 25 per cent of the full time study load to be considered part time
• be studying at least 75 per cent of the full time study load to be considered full time

The study load can affect the overall time limit for Study. Further details can be found under Approved activity time limits table.

If a customer meets the exceptional circumstances requirement of their income support payment, such as for Austudy where 66 per cent of the full time study load is considered full time, they would also be eligible for ACCS (transition to work) for a full time study activity. For more information, see Assessing eligibility for the 66% concessional study load for Austudy.

If the customer is studying less than 25 per cent of the study load, they are not eligible for ACCS (transition to work).

If a customer starts studying at a level higher than a Certificate II (AQF level 2), or progresses to a higher level of the AQF, they cannot access ACCS (transition to work) to study at a level lower than their highest level of study. Only study a customer has undertaken in the last ten years is included in determining their highest level of study.

The ten year time period is applied from the date the customer completed the higher level of previous study.

This applies even if they have not completed a qualification or exhausted the time limit, or have not previously accessed ACCS (transition to work) to study at that level (unless the Skill Shortage exemption applies).

The Resources page has an example of the Ten Year Rule in the Study activity and time limit scenarios table.

Skill Shortage exemption

A customer can begin studying once at a lower level than what they have in the past ten years if that course of study will qualify them for an occupation on the Skills Priority List.

The Skills Priority List is used to determine if there is a skill shortage for the relevant occupation. Starting with the national level shortage, (then in descending order of level), check the state/territory shortage where the customer resides and then, where appropriate, check if there is a the regional level shortage. Regional shortage refers to areas outside of state and territory capital cities.

The Resources has a link to the Skills Priority List.

Once a customer has completed a level of study when receiving ACCS (transition to work), or has exhausted the time limit for the level of study, they cannot access ACCS (transition to work) for that level of study. To be eligible for ACCS (transition to work) in the future, the customer is required to 'step up' to a higher level of study.

The Resources page has an example of the Step Up Rule in the Study activity and time limit scenarios table.

Exception to Step Up Rule - Secondary Certificate of Education or University Enabling course

The exception to the step up rule applies if the customer is studying a secondary course or preparatory course. This means that if all other eligibility criteria has been met, ACCS (transition to work) can be granted, regardless of the customer's highest level of prior study. Proof of enrolment provided by the customer should include details to confirm if the course being undertaken is a secondary or preparatory course.

Exception to Step Up Rule - Six Week rule

An exception is available to the step up rule where, on a single occasion, the customer studied a course of education or study at a higher level than the level at which they are currently studying for a period of less than six weeks. This means that this higher period of study will not be counted when applying the step up rule.

The Resources page has an example of the Six Week Rule in the Study activity and time limit scenarios table.

A customer can change their course of study (within the same level) if the time limit has not been exhausted for the same level of study. They must notify of this change in course which requires a new application for ACCS (transition to work) to be lodged. To support the new application, customers need to provide supporting evidence/proof of enrolment for the new course.

Where a customer changes their course more than once, that it is their third change in the same course level, Service Officers are to request evidence of satisfactory progress of their previous course before the new course is accepted. If evidence of progression is not provided within 28 days, the customer will no longer be eligible for ACCS (transition to work).

If a customer is studying a course from Certificate II to a Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 2 to 8), they have to be making satisfactory progress in that course to meet ACCS (transition to work) study requirements.

Satisfactory progress means the customer is participating in the course and achieving the minimum requirements of that course to the satisfaction of the course provider (such as achieving a pass grade for at least one of their subjects).

A customer enrolled in a course 12 months or longer, is required to provide evidence of their progress towards course completion to continue to be eligible for ACCS (transition to work) for that activity. In addition, if a customer has been studying for more than 6 months when applying for ACCS (transition to work), they will need to provide evidence of satisfactory progress as well as their proof of enrolment for study.

If a course is less than 12 months, the customer is still required to provide evidence of their progress, if requested.

If a customer is not attending their course, they are not participating in that approved activity which will result in them losing eligibility for ACCS (transition to work).

Achieving the minimum requirements of a course to the satisfaction of the course provider may vary between course providers. It is up to the customer to provide sufficient evidence to satisfy the proof of progression requirement stipulated by the course provider. For more information about evidence requirements, see Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) (transition to work) eligibility and applications.

The Resources page has an example of satisfactory progress in the Study activity and time limit scenarios table.

A customer meets the work/training requirements when they are participating in any of the following activities:

• working or
• undertaking vocational training or other non-vocational training programs which have a reasonable likelihood of improving the customer's employment prospects, or
• Job Search

To meet the work requirements for ACCS (transition to work) a customer must be engaged in:

• Paid work, including self-employment
• Unpaid work, including a work experience placement, an internship or unpaid work in a family business, or
• Actively setting up a business

Customers may already be working before applying for ACCS (transition to work). For example, a customer may have been working part time for the last two years, and this activity can be used for the purposes of ACCS (transition to work).

For ACCS (transition to work), vocational training are courses provided through an education provider, designed to prepare a customer for the workforce or increase their ability and capacity to undertake work.

The description of training for ACCS (transition to work) is the same as CCS, that is the customer must be enrolled in, and actively working towards completing a training course for the purpose of improving their work skills, employment prospects or both.

Courses undertaken should have a direct impact on professional development, including, for example Language, literacy and numeracy programs such as:

• Skills for Education and Employment (SEE), or
• the Adult Migrant English Programme (AMEP). Note:
• if a customer's only activity is engaging in AMEP course, and
• the application relates to a child under school age (6 years or under), and
• the child/children are attending the AMEP free child care service, then
• the customer is not liable to pay fees so is not eligible for ACCS (transition to work)

Courses catering primarily to hobbies or personal interests, such as cooking courses, art classes, foreign languages or alternative therapies would not be considered suitable training activities for ACCS (transition to work)

Note: if the customer is undertaking an industry-recognised Certificate, it could be considered study rather than training. The activity should be recorded as Study as this is more beneficial. Most certified courses, including apprenticeships and traineeships, are included under the Student Assistance (Education Institutions and Courses) Determination 2009 (No. 2).

Non-vocational training requirements include other training/programs or on-the-job activities to prepare and/or increase the individual's ability to undertaken work. These can include:

• courses which improve computer skills
• community based, work skill focused training as listed on myskills.gov.au
• Government programs including the Transition to Work program, Community Development Program (CDP) and Self-Employment Assistance
• other programs such as government funded rehabilitation, drug and alcohol programs, parenting courses

To meet the activity requirements for a non-vocational ('other') program, the customer is required to demonstrate that the program has a reasonable likelihood of improving their employment prospects. This would include programs run privately by registered organisations.

For other labour market initiatives, there may not be an automatic qualification for ACCS (transition to work) and Service Officers will need to consider specific components of the programs to see if they meet the activity requirements for this payment.

Activities that do not meet the ACCS (transition to work) activity requirements may still meet the recognised activity requirements for CCS, and should be recorded for CCS purposes so they contribute to the customer's total Activity Test result.

To meet the job search requirements for ACCS (transition to work), the customer must be actively looking for work and be able to provide evidence of doing so. A customer does not need to be unemployed to be actively looking for work.

Activities that meet the job search requirements include:

• Looking for job vacancies
• Preparing resumes and job applications
• Contacting potential employers
• Preparing for, and attending, job interviews

If a customer is receiving income support with a mutual obligation requirement to look for work, those requirements will meet the requirements for ACCS (transition to work). However, the customer must still be able to provide evidence if requested.

Activities used for the purposes of ACCS (transition to work) are subject to time limits. This supports this payment not being an indefinite subsidy as it is designed to support customers transitioning into work.

The Resources page contains a table which gives a summary of the time limits applicable to each activity type.

For more detailed information about time limits for:

• Study, see Item 2
• Work (paid and unpaid work), see Item 3
• Training, see Item 4
• Job search, see Item 5

The overall allowable period for study relates to the level of each new course of education or study that the customer studies, and is:

• Up to 104 weeks for full time, or up to 208 weeks for part time if studying:
• Secondary course, such as year 12 or similar
• Preparatory course (to prepare for tertiary study)
• Certificate II to an Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree (levels 2 to 6 of the AQF)
• Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma (level 8 of the AQF).
• Up to 156 weeks for full time or up to 312 weeks for part time if studying:
• Bachelor Degree (level 7 of the AQF)

Note: where the customer has already received JETCCFA for the same level of study, the weeks for which JETCCFA was paid will be deducted from the allowable time limit for ACCS (transition to work) for that level of study.

Where the customer has periods of part time and full time study for the same course, there may be a requirement to convert all weeks to either a full time or part time equivalent to enable the overall allowable period of study to be calculated.

Time limits for study are applied in whole weeks and include study breaks that are during (not after) the end of a course.

The Resources page has an example of study breaks in the Study activity and time limit scenarios table.

Customer studying more than one course

If a customer is studying more than one course at a time, for example completing a Certificate III and Certificate IV, the higher level of study would be used for the purposes of a study activity.

If a customer is engaged in work, (paid or unpaid) or setting up a business, they can receive ACCS (transition to work) for up to 26 weeks.

This is cumulative over a customer's lifetime. This means that a work related activity can be undertaken for 26 consecutive weeks. Alternatively, a number of work related activities for shorter time periods can be undertaken until a total of 26 weeks is reached.

Once the time limit of 26 weeks is reached, the customer cannot use another work related activity to apply for ACCS (transition to work). This means the customer cannot use this activity again for ACCS (transition to work) purposes, even where they may have started work with a new employer or decided to start up their own business.

Once a customer exceeds their allowable time limit, go to Item 6.

The time limits for training activities for ACCS (transition to work) are:

• Vocational Training:
• up to 52 weeks full time
• up to 104 weeks part time
• Other non-Vocational Training programs improving employment prospects
• up to 52 weeks full time

These time limits are cumulative over a customer's lifetime. This means that a training activity can be undertaken for 52 consecutive weeks, or a number of training activities for shorter periods until a total of 52 weeks is reached.

Once the time limit of 52/104 weeks is reached for a vocational training activity, and the time limit of 52 weeks is reached for other non-vocational training programs the customer cannot use a further training activity to apply for ACCS (transition to work).

Once a customer exceeds their allowable time limit, see Item 6.

The time limits for a customer participating in a job search activity is up to 26 weeks.

The 26-week limit is cumulative over a customer's lifetime. This means that a job search activity can be undertaken for 26 consecutive weeks, or a number of job search activities for shorter periods until a total of 26 weeks is reached. Once the time limit of 26 weeks is reached, the customer cannot use another job search activity to apply for ACCS (transition to work).

If a customer exceeds their allowable time limit, see Item 6.

If a customer exceeds their time limits for an ACCS (transition to work) activity, it can no longer be used to access ACCS (transition to work).

However, these activities would still be recognised activities for CCS purposes. The customer should ensure they have updated their CCS activity details with the hours they engage in study, work, training or job search as these will determine their hours of entitlement for CCS.

For example, a customer may have exceeded their 26 week lifetime limit for actively looking for work for ACCS (transition to work), but the activity can still be used for CCS purposes.

Two or more activities - the most beneficial activity principle

Where a customer is participating in two or more activities that meet the ACCS (transition to work) activity requirements, the customer can select which of their activity/ies they would like assessed for ACCS (transition to work).

Where more than one activity is selected, the Service Officer assessing the application will apply the highest time limit that can be applied, depending on the activities nominated by the customer. This is known as the most beneficial activity principle.

Where no activity is nominated by the customer, but more than two are listed, Service Officers will determine which is the most beneficial for the customer.

Generally, the hierarchy of time limits is:

1. Study
2. Training - Vocational
3. Training - Other non-vocational programs - that improve employment prospects
4. Work - paid, unpaid, work experience or internship placement, activity looking for work
5. Job Search

If the customer's activity is study, Service Officers should consider previous periods of study for which JETCCFA was paid as this could affect the remaining available time for particular activities nominated by the customer. Note: the system will identify any periods of JETCCFA relevant to the level of study to determine the time limit applicable to a course of study.

Time limits should be applied according to the evidence provided, such as course duration. That is, if no activity time limit is provided by the customer and there is no evidence regarding the time limit, additional evidence can be requested.

If an activity is ongoing and no end date is provided, such as work or looking for work, the maximum of 26 weeks is applied.

More than one activity requirement met

A customer's activity may meet more than one of the activity requirements. In particular, components of labour market programs may be assessed under more than one activity requirement. For example, Self-Employment Assistance has components of training and setting up a business. A customer undertaking this activity may have them assessed as training (for that component of the course), followed by an assessment for work (setting up a business). In this case, once the training component was completed, or the time limit exhausted, the customer would need to apply for ACCS (transition to work) again for the work component.

Some vocational training courses may meet the Study levels for ACCS (transition to work and could be assessed as a study activity instead of a work or training requirement. As study has a higher time limit than work or training activities, the study limit is applied as it is the most beneficial.

The processing Service Officer will decide which type of activity is to be recorded, and which time limit will apply to provide the greatest benefit to the customer.