Austudy student or Australian Apprentice becomes incapacitated or impacted by unforeseen or extreme circumstances 102-07020110
Expand allThis document outlines the effect on a customer's entitlement to Austudy if they are ill, injured or impacted by unforeseen or extreme circumstances and are unable to continue their study or Australian Apprenticeship, whether temporarily or permanently. It provides details of other payment options which may be available to these customers.
Students
To qualify for Austudy, a student must be:
- enrolled and, undertaking at least 75% of the normal amount of full-time study
- approved for a 66% concessional study load, or approved for a 25% concessional study load, and
- making satisfactory progress
If a student temporarily reduces to a part-time study load because of an incapacity or has been impacted by unforeseen or extreme, they may continue to receive Austudy under the reasonable excuse provisions if they intend to return to study full-time.
Students who cease study due to temporary incapacity cannot continue to receive Austudy. They may qualify for another income support payment instead, for example JobSeeker Payment.
See Process page for more information.
Australian Apprentice
A temporarily incapacitated Australian Apprentice can continue to receive Austudy if:
- they unable to continue their Australian Apprenticeship, and
- their Apprenticeship Identification Number remains current
They cannot continue to receive Austudy if this number is:
- suspended, or
- cancelled
The Resources page contains examples about students unable to study full-time for health reasons.
Related links
Assessing eligibility for 25% concessional study load for Austudy
Satisfying the activity test for Austudy
Payment of ABSTUDY when a student or Australian Apprentice becomes incapacitated
Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) student becomes incapacitated