Initial contact with students or Australian Apprentices with a disability, illness or injury 010-01020040

Is the student or Australian Apprentice receiving a payment?

• Yes, and the customer is receiving:
• Austudy, see Austudy student or Australian Apprentice becomes incapacitated or impacted by unforeseen or extreme circumstances
• Youth Allowance, see Youth Allowance (YA) student or Australian Apprentice becomes incapacitated or impacted by unforeseen or extreme circumstances
• ABSTUDY Living Allowance, see Payment of ABSTUDY when a student or Australian Apprentice becomes incapacitated
• No, go to Step 2

Note: if an Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) student has a disability or special health related need which prevents them from attending the local state school, refer the applicant to the AIC Customer Service number to discuss eligibility and evidence required. For the contact number, see ABSTUDY and Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC). Procedure ends here.

Is the student likely to recover within 13 weeks?

• Yes, go to Step 4
• No, and the incapacity is likely to last:
• less than 2 years, go to Step 4
• more than 2 years, go to Step 3

The customer may choose to test their eligibly for DSP. See Initial contact by a customer who is ill, injured or has a disability.

Note: customers who have an incapacity that will last for 2 years or more should have a discussion with a Service Officer with relevant knowledge of DSP before they are directed to claim.

If the customer does not wish to test their eligibility for DSP, go to Step 4.

Is the customer a student undertaking a reduced study load?

• Yes, and the customer wishes to claim:
• ABSTUDY Living Allowance, see Assessing the disability study load concession for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES)
• Austudy, see Assessing eligibility for 25% concessional study load for Austudy
• Youth Allowance or JobSeeker Payment (JSP) Incapacitated, see Customers claiming JobSeeker Payment (JSP)/Youth Allowance (Incapacitated)
• No, go to Step 5

Customers who wish to claim ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Austudy or YA as an Australian Apprentice must have a current Commonwealth Registration Number for the period of the illness, injury or disability.

Is the customer registered as an Australian Apprentice?

• Yes, and wanting to claim:
• Austudy, see Initial contact with students or Australian Apprentices claiming Austudy
• ABSTUDY Living Allowance, see Claiming ABSTUDY
• Youth Allowance, see Initial contact with Australian Apprentices claiming Youth Allowance (YA)
• No, go to Step 6

Has the customer ceased study due to their disability, illness or injury, and intends to return to study in the next available study period after their incapacity ends?

• Yes, and:
• the customer identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, see Assessing the disability study load concession for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES)
• under 22 and would not qualify for ABSTUDY Living Allowance, see Youth Allowance (YA) student or Australian Apprentice becomes incapacitated or impacted by unforeseen or extreme circumstances
• No, see Identifying the most beneficial payment for students or Australian Apprentices

Procedure ends here.