Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander status for ABSTUDY 010-02030030

An Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person for ABSTUDY purposes is one who:

• is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
• identifies as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, and
• is accepted as such by the community in which they live or have lived

Descent can be defined for ABSTUDY purposes as:

• links between ancestors and descendants, or
• a person’s traceable ancestry

Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander status must be able to be traced through one or both parents.

A student or Australian Apprentice's declaration during the ABSTUDY claiming process is normally accepted as sufficient evidence of their Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander status.

Where uncertainty exists as to the Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander status of a student or Australian Apprentice, an ABSTUDY Smart Centre Team Leader (APS6) may initiate an Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander status enquiry. For further information, see the Process page.