JobSeeker Payment (JSP) job seekers returning to full-time study 001-19051528

Edith (aged 41 years) has been looking for work and is receiving JSP. Edith is enquiring about returning to full-time study and the effect this will have on the payment.

Information the Service Officer will discuss with Edith

• If the course is likely to last less than 12 months, Edith can still satisfy the mutual obligation requirements if it is approved as a short course
• Regardless of the length of the course, Edith may have entitlement to Austudy
• Undertake a rate comparison to determine the most appropriate payment, including the income test, and eligibility for:
• Pensioner Education Supplement (PES)
• Relocation Scholarship
• Student Start up Loans

Tasks the Service Officer will complete for Edith

If the course is less than 12 months in duration, the Service Officer will complete the following tasks:

• If Edith is provider managed, refer Edith to the designated employment services provider to discuss possible approval for the short course as an approved activity
• Tell Edith to check eligibility for an Advance and apply online if eligible

If the course is more than 12 months (2 semesters) in duration, the Service Officer will:

• consider entitlement to Austudy

If Edith has:

• commenced the course, the Service Officer will cancel the JSP and advise of any entitlement to the Education Entry Payment
• not commenced the course, but will commence within 14 days, code a future review

If the course start date is more than 14 days from the contact, Edith should be asked to advise of a change in circumstances before the end of the payment fortnight that includes the course start date.

Participants can study a course not listed as in-demand in myskills.gov.au or is non-accredited, if:

• the course is less than 12 months in duration, and
• the Provider determines that the course is appropriate to the Participant and improves their employment prospects

Mary is studying full-time to complete a PhD and has 2 months remaining before the study is completed. Mary does not qualify for Youth Allowance or Austudy and has claimed JSP. Mary's study structure is not fixed in time or place so does not restrict the ability to satisfy the mutual obligation requirements. Mary has indicated an ability and willingness to look for work to satisfy the mutual obligation requirements.

What the Service Officer should consider

Mary could be eligible for JSP if they agree to a Job Plan with appropriate mutual obligation requirements that does not include PhD studies. Mary's PhD studies cannot be approved as an activity to satisfy mutual obligation requirements, however studies could be included in the Job Plan as a voluntary activity.

If Mary identifies as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, eligibility for the ABSTUDY Masters and Doctorate Award may be possible.

Xavier is on JSP and commenced full-time study on 12 July. Xavier submits a YA (student) claim on 15 October. Xavier was suspended from mutual obligations from 14 June to 14 October. Study is not recorded as an approved activity on the Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) screen.

The correct date of cancellation for JSP is 14 October. As Xavier was not subject to mutual obligation requirements they do not need to have study as an approved activity.

If Xavier does not lodge a student claim until 29 October, the correct date of cancellation is still 14 October.