Part-time or full-time study as an approved activity for Parenting Payment Single (PPS) 001-09070230
FAQ - Course approval policy and review of decisions
Table1: This table contains information about the approval process for PPS job seekers who wish to undertake full-time or part-time study.
Item |
Description |
1 |
Question: Are PPS job seekers subject to the short course approval policy? Answer: No. PPS job seekers are not subject to the same short course approval policy that applies to JobSeeker Payment (JSP) and can undertake approved study for longer periods. PPS job seekers can participate in full-time or part-time study to meet their mutual obligation requirements, if they are undertaking at least 15 hours of study per week, or 30 hours per fortnight. PPS job seekers are not required to claim for a student payment when they commence full-time study. |
2 |
Question: When can Services Australia approve a part-time or full-time course for PPS job seekers? Answer: PPS job seekers, as principal carers, can fully satisfy their mutual obligation requirements through approved study of at least 15 hours per week, or 30 hours per fortnight. There is no minimum number of contact (classroom or otherwise directed) hours. The study can be approved by the agency regardless of whether the institution regards the course as full-time or part-time. The study can also be approved regardless of the duration of the course. In other words, PPS job seekers with mutual obligation requirements are not subject to short course approval rules, so undertaking full-time study does not affect their qualification for payment. |
3 |
Question: In the case of course approvals, who is the decision maker (DM)? Answer: It will depend on who is approving or rejecting the short course application. This means that the DM could be either the provider or a Service Officer. |
4 |
Question: Can a job seeker request a review of the decision if Services Australia or a provider does not approve a short course? Answer: If a job seeker is not satisfied with a provider decision in regards to non-approval of a short course and following discussion with the provider it is clear they will not change their decision, the job seeker may contact the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) to lodge a complaint. As with any adverse decision made by a delegate of the Secretary under Social Security Law, a job seeker can request a review of a decision relating to the requirements of a Job Plan, whether made by the provider or a Service Officer. A review officer can overturn a decision relating to the requirements of a Job Plan only where the decision is not consistent with Social Security Law (for example, because the job seeker cannot reasonably be expected to meet the terms of the Job Plan or where a term is precluded by the legislative instrument). A review officer cannot overturn a Job Plan related decision simply because the review officer or the job seeker disagrees with the decision. |
FAQ - Guidelines to follow when approving part-time or full-time study
Table 2: This table contains guidelines to follow for PPS job seekers who require approval for full-time or part-time study.
Item |
Description |
1 |
Question: Can a PPS job seeker undertake part-time study if it is not approved by Services Australia or a provider? Answer: Any type of part-time study which cannot be approved (whether a short course or a longer course) can be undertaken, if the job seeker continues to meet all of their mutual obligation requirements, including job search, attending appointments and accepting offers of employment. |
2 |
Question: If a PPS job seeker who is undertaking approved study transfers to JSP/YA job seeker, can they continue their studies indefinitely and retain eligibility for JSP/YA job seeker? Answer:
|
3 |
Question: Will PES still be paid to those job seekers who continue to study after transfer from PPS or DSP to JSP/YA (job seeker)? Answer: All PPS job seekers (whether studying full-time or part-time) who were in receipt of PES whilst in transition to JSP/YA job seeker (principal carer) will continue to receive PES if they continue to study in the same course when they transitioned to JSP/YA (job seeker). Note: from 1 January 2014, JSP (single principal carers) qualifies as a PES attracting income support payment. This means that those PPS job seekers who transfer to JSP (single principal carer) will continue to be able to qualify for PES at any point in time (where all other qualifications are met) and will no longer be required to continue in the same course of study to retain access to PES. Refer to Initial contact with students claiming Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) for further information. |
4 |
Question: How does Services Australia code course approval for PPS job seekers? Answer: In situations where Services Australia can approve a course, the job seeker will be asked to provide proof of enrolment (POE). The agency will consider suitability of the course under current guidelines and must confirm enrolment. In all cases where the agency is approving a course for a PPS job seeker, the code 'PFT' will be used on the AEX screen. |
Mutual obligation requirement options
Options for Working Age job seekers who would like to study full-time or part-time
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) activity exit codes
Some of these codes will be sent by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) to Centrelink when the provider has recorded that the job seeker has exited from the full-time short course that was previously approved by the provider.
Only the codes will be sent - DEWR does not send the literals to Centrelink.
Centrelink display the exit code in the Exit Reason: field on the Short Course Details screen.
Code |
Literals |
BVP |
Bereavement |
CRE |
Cultural or religious objection |
DEA |
Death |
DFN |
Did not finish |
FPC |
Failed to attend participation contact |
FTE |
Found full-time employment |
INC |
Incapacitated |
JUR |
Jury duty |
LAD |
Language difficulties |
LAW |
In lawful custody |
MOV |
Moved to different location |
MPA |
Moved to closer activity |
MPC |
Major personal crisis |
MSA |
Move to more suitable activity |
PTE |
Found part-time employment |
SC |
Successful completion of activity |
SKA |
Missing essential skills/abilities to participate |
TNS |
Transferred to new service |
TRV |
Travel in excess of 90 minutes to activity |