Approved studies for Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) 010-03030010

A student must be enrolled in and undertaking a full-time study load to be eligible for benefits.

A full-time study load is the amount of work the school, institution or home-schooling education authority regards as a full-time amount for the student.

If a school, institution or education authority allows a student with a disability or other health-related condition to undertake a reduced study load (less than that required of other students at the same level), that reduced load is also considered to be full-time for that student.

Note: there is no minimum attendance requirement for AIC eligibility.

An approved institution is an institution in Australia, that is:

• a government school, including a distance education centre
• a non-government school that is not conducted for profit, recognised by the Minister responsible for education in the relevant state/territory
• a TAFE, Vocational Education and Training (VET) or higher education institution
• a government residential or non-residential special school catering for children with disabilities or psychological, emotional or behavioural problems
• an accredited non-government residential or non-residential special school catering for children with disabilities, or psychological, emotional or behavioural problems
• a private tertiary institution that offers a course accredited by the relevant state/territory authority

Study may be undertaken at one of the following levels in an approved course:

• Primary - study recognised as primary level study by the state/territory education authorities
• Secondary - full-time secondary course at an approved institution, or study recognised as secondary level by the state/territory education authority
• Tertiary - study offered by an approved institution, or a course recognised by an authority responsible for accreditation of higher education courses or vocational education and training courses or vocational courses in the state/territory
• Ungraded - study recognised as ungraded (including 'living skills') at a government or accredited non-government residential or non-residential institution catering for children with psychological, emotional or behavioural problems. This type of study must be recognised by a state/territory education or health authority

A student's previous study at primary, secondary or tertiary (including TAFE/VET) level does not affect their eligibility.

Home schooling at the primary, secondary or ungraded level is approvable for AIC where the student has formal approval from the education authority in the state or territory in which they live.

For the evidence required by the customer or AIC applicant and other requirements, see Home schooling arrangements for Youth Allowance (YA), Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) and Pensioner Education Supplement (PES).