Approval of ABSTUDY Away from Base assistance 010-02070050

Scenario

Description

1

The education provider has not demonstrated that exceptional circumstances make it unreasonable or impractical to make the administrative arrangements

Batchelor College delivers an Associate Diploma in Indigenous Language course via a combination of external study and intensive on-campus residential schools. Approximately 75 students undertake four 10 day residential schools during the academic year. Batchelor College submit an ABSTUDY Submission for Away From Base Activity Funding form (SY034) for Away from Base assistance for meals and accommodation for the residential schools. Batchelor College request that Services Australia pay travel allowance to each participant for the period of the residential school because their administrative person will be on leave for the first residential school and cannot organise a residential expenses package.

• The activity would not be approved for Away from Base funding without inclusion of a residential expenses package for the cost of meals and accommodation. Batchelor College have not demonstrated that exceptional circumstances make it unreasonable or impractical to make the administrative arrangements to include a residential expenses package for this course

2

The education provider has demonstrated it would be unreasonable or impractical for the education provider to arrange residential expenses

Peter undertakes a Bachelor of Science (Town Planning) at the University of Technology (Sydney). All students (42) are required to undertake a 10 day practical work experience placement with a regional town council in the fourth year of the course in order to successfully complete the year's course requirements. Peter is placed with Walgett Shire Council for the period of work experience. The University of Technology advises that they cannot arrange a residential expenses package for individual students in multiple locations.

• In this instance, it would be unreasonable or impractical for the education provider to make 42 different arrangements with 42 different service providers to arrange residential expenses packages. Travel allowance would be approved for Peter

3

The education provider have demonstrated the impractical to arrange a residential expenses package

Geraldine is enrolled in the Certificate of Indigenous Community Health course conducted by Bega Garnbirrunga College in Kalgoorlie. As part of the Dog Health subject in the course, students are required to undertake a four day field trip of remote Aboriginal communities in the Western Desert. The field trip is based at the sole hotel in Menzies on the edge of the desert. The proprietor of the Menzies Hotel has accommodation available but does not provide meals in the hotel. Bega Garnbirrunga have requested that they be exempt from having to arrange a residential expenses package for the field trip.

• Bega Garnbirrunga have demonstrated that it is impractical to arrange a residential expenses package for the field trip as the only accommodation provider in town cannot also provide meals

4

The education provider has not demonstrated that it is unreasonable or impractical for a residential expenses package

Monash University are conducting a testing and assessment programme for entry into the Monash Orientation Scheme for Aboriginals (MOSA) course. This course is a one year enabling course for alternative entry into mainstream courses. The testing programme is a two day activity. Monash has lodged an ABSTUDY Submission for Away From Base Activity Funding form (SY034) seven weeks prior to the activity and is seeking assistance for meals and accommodation costs for students. The activity meets all the approval criteria, except Monash has advised that it cannot provide a residential expenses package for students because it has not had time to make the necessary arrangements. Monash has requested that assistance for meals and accommodation be paid directly to the students.

• A residential expenses package must be arranged by Monash University for the activity. The education provider has not demonstrated that it is unreasonable or impractical for a residential expenses package to be arranged as part of the activity. Monash University is advised that the activity will not be approved

Monash University submits an amendment to the original submission with accommodation and meals being arranged through the Monash University Student Accommodation. The residential expenses package arranged does not include lunches, as it is unable to be provided by the accommodation provider.

The residential expenses package is approved and meal allowance is paid directly to the education provider for distribution to students in lieu of lunch not included in the residential expenses package.

Item

Description

1

ATO Table 1: Employee's annual salary - $138,790 or less

The figures listed in the Accomm column are used when determining the amount payable for Accommodation Allowance. These figures apply in respect of all entitled Away from Base beneficiaries, regardless of their income.

The figures listed in the Food and drink column are used when determining the amount payable for Meal Allowance. These figures apply in respect of all entitled Away from Base beneficiaries, regardless of their income.

The figures listed in the Incidentals and Total columns are not applicable for ABSTUDY purposes and should be ignored.

Where a location is not listed in tables 1, 4 or 5, the figures in Table 1 'other country centres' are used when determining Accommodation Allowance. These figures apply in respect of all entitled Away from Base beneficiaries, regardless of their income.

2

ATO Table 4: High cost country centres - accommodation expenses

The figures listed in Table 4 are used when determining the amount payable for Accommodation Allowance for locations identified as High Cost Country Centres. These figures apply in respect of all entitled Away from Base beneficiaries, regardless of their income.

3

ATO Table 5: Tier 2 country centres

When determining the amount payable for Accommodation Allowance for locations identified in Table 5, the figures listed for accommodation or food and drink in Table 1 for Tier 2 Country centres are used. These figures apply in respect of all entitled Away from Base beneficiaries, regardless of their income.

Item

Description

1

Scenario 1

Paul is undertaking a Diploma in Mental Health at Marr Mooditj Health College in Perth. Paul works in the health clinic at home in the remote community of Jigalong. Paul does have study leave as part of an employment contract, and accumulates 4 weeks study leave each year. Paul can take 6 months off work fully paid to undertake the next level of the course (Associate Diploma) as a full time student in the second semester of the following year. Paul has taken leave without pay to undertake a 2 week residential school and is seeking non-income tested Living Allowance for the period of the activity.

Paul is not eligible for non-income tested Living Allowance, even though Paul has taken leave without pay for the 2 weeks and no longer has a source of income. Paul does have study leave available but has chosen not to use it.

2

Scenario 2

Brian is 37 and partnered with no children. Brian is studying an Associate Diploma in Community Management and Development at Curtin University and is required to attend a 2 week residential school for the course. Brian works as the administrator for Wirrawa community and is on an annual salary of $65,000. Brian's partner is a nurse in the community and is on annual salary of $41,000. Brian's employer has confirmed there are no study leave provisions and Brian must take leave without pay for the period of the 2 week residential school. Brian is seeking non-income tested Living Allowance for that period.

Brian is eligible for non-income tested Living Allowance for the 2 weeks of the residential school. Brian is eligible for the maximum rate for a student who is a member of a couple without dependent children. The income of Brian's partner is not taken into account for the assessment of the rate of entitlement.

3

Scenario 3

Melanie is a 30 year old single student undertaking a Bachelor of Health Sciences at Deakin University in Geelong. Melanie works in the Aboriginal Medical Service in Mildura and does not have study leave provisions. The course has a compulsory field trip to the Gippsland region of Victoria that is approved for Away from Base assistance. The employer has confirmed that Melanie must take unpaid study leave for the days away from work to undertake the activity. The field trip leaves Deakin University on Thursday and returns on Tuesday (6 days). Melanie is required to travel from home in Mildura to Geelong. The appropriate mode of transport for this travel is a 10 hour train journey. Melanie is seeking Living Allowance.

Melanie is entitled to non-income tested Living Allowance for the period of the field trip. Melanie is also entitled to Living Allowance for the travel day either side of the field trip as the employer has confirmed these days were also unpaid leave. Melanie is entitled to a fortnightly rate of $555.70. Melanie will be eligible for non-income tested Living Allowance for 8 days. This totals $317.54.