Commencing or returning to work for partners of ABSTUDY customers 102-07030170

ABSTUDY customer advises their partner has commenced work.

Obtain the following details:

• date they are paid employment income
• name of employer, address and phone number
• amount of gross income they are paid

Place the customer on statement reporting.

Go to Step 2.

Code employment income on the Employment Income Summary (EANS) screen. For information on how to code employment income, See Recording and correcting employment income details.

Note: If the partner's employment is ongoing and their income is above the limit for the customer to continue to receive ABSTUDY Living Allowance, ABSTUDY will remain current at a zero rate to enable the ABSTUDY customer to retain eligibility for other ABSTUDY entitlements. E.g. Incidentals Allowance.

Is customer still entitled to ABSTUDY?

• Yes, go to Step 4
• No, go to Step 3

Follow up any debt which may have occurred. The system will automatically record a debt activity if a debt is to be raised.

Ensure partner’s employment details are recorded on a DOC along with any other action taken (e.g. if payment has been cancelled).

Note: DOC minimum standards only require the collection and recording of enough information about the employer (e.g. contact name and address or phone number) to allow income assessment, as well as contact with the employer if necessary. Contact may be necessary for verification of the income details provided, or for conducting reviews resulting from Data Matching with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Some customers (e.g. those who work in sensitive areas like women's refuges, etc.) may not want all employment details (e.g. business name) recorded on a DOC. This does not affect the requirement to collect sufficient information for assessment or review purposes.