ABSTUDY Additional Assistance 010-02050130

Could be considered an emergency

Would not be considered an emergency

If a student no longer has access to essential course items, due to a local disaster, or weather event (such as a pandemic outbreak/lockdown, cyclone, flood, fire, bushfire, earthquake, unsafe conditions at the school or boarding facility), and the student requires help to replace essential course items. Additional Assistance (emergency) is payable, to cover essential items to assist with their continued access to education.

If the school were to temporarily close part of all boarding facilities in circumstances where the school or boarding facility is aware of the closure in advance, such as for maintenance, and the school could reasonably be expected to accommodate students elsewhere. Additional Assistance (emergency) would not be payable in this scenario as it is not an unforeseen emergency event.

An Australian Apprentice, approved for the Away from Home rate of ABSTUDY, has lost all their tools required to undertake their training due to a weather event (cyclone, flood, fire, bushfire, earthquake). Additional Assistance (emergency) would be payable in this scenario, as the apprentice needs to replace the items to continue their apprenticeship.

Australian Apprentice has been requested by their apprentice employer to assist in a location where there has been an emergency or disaster, utilising the skills being learnt via their current apprenticeship. The apprentice will be remunerated by their employer for this work, Additional Assistance (emergency) would not be payable.

If an emergency evacuation of the student from their home, or boarding facility due to disaster or weather event causes the student to lose access to essential learning materials, or personal belongings, then Additional Assistance (emergency) would be payable in this scenario, as the student needs to retrieve, or replace the items to continue learning.

If Additional Assistance has been approved for a school or boarding facility at a point in time (such as next week for over the school vacation period) and quarantine/self-isolation restrictions are removed towards the end of term, Additional Assistance (emergency) approval would still apply and would not be retrospectively rejected in this scenario, as schools or boarding facilities may have already discussed the circumstance with family and made arrangements for the school vacation period.