Age requirements for Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) 010-03030020

Check if the student:

• has reached the minimum primary school entry age for the state or territory in which they attend primary school, or
• has a disability or other health-related condition that requires them to live away from the family home and they are at least 3 years and 6 months old

Does the student meet one of the above criteria?

• Yes, and the student is:
• undertaking home schooling, go to Step 2
• not undertaking home schooling, go to Step 3
• No, the student is not eligible for AIC:
• Check other eligibility conditions for AIC and advise the applicant to contact again once the student meets the minimum age for AIC
• Procedure ends here

Home schooling age rules impact eligibility for AIC. To determine if the student meets the home schooling age requirements in the relevant state or territory, see the Resources page in Eligibility for Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme Distance Education Allowance (DED).

If the student:

• meets the home-schooling age rules in the relevant state or territory, go to Step 3
• is under the minimum age requirements for home schooling:
• Check other eligibility conditions for AIC and tell the applicant to contact again once the student meets the minimum age for home schooling in the relevant state or territory
• Procedure ends here
• is over the maximum age requirements for home schooling, the student is no longer eligible for AIC and may apply for ABSTUDY or Youth Allowance (YA):
• Check if the student meets ABSTUDY qualifications, or Youth Allowance (YA) qualifications
• Procedure ends here

Is the student receiving Disability Support Pension (DSP) or Parenting Payment Single (PPS)?

• Yes:
• The student may apply for Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) or ABSTUDY PES if they are undertaking secondary (or equivalent) or tertiary level studies, or
• They may qualify for AIC PES if they are studying at primary (or equivalent ungraded) level until they turn 21 years of age
• Procedure ends here
• No, if the student is:
• a primary of secondary student, go to Step 4
• a tertiary student, go to Step 7

Was the student aged 19 years or older on 1 January in the year of study?

• Yes, go to Step 5
• No, the student has not reached the maximum age for AIC and is eligible until the end of the year of study, if all other eligibility criteria is met. Procedure ends here

Has the student's progress been delayed by special circumstances (such as illness, English language difficulties, transfer from a different education system or periods of employment or training)?

• Yes, go to Step 6
• No, the student is no longer eligible for AIC and may apply for ABSTUDY or Youth Allowance (YA). Check if the student meets:
• ABSTUDY qualifications, or
• Youth Allowance (YA) qualifications
• Procedure ends here

Was the student aged 20 years or older on 1 January in the year of study?

• Yes, the student is no longer eligible for AIC and may apply for ABSTUDY or Youth Allowance (YA). Check if the student meets:
• ABSTUDY qualifications, or
• Youth Allowance (YA) qualifications
• Procedure ends here
• No, the student has not reached the maximum age for AIC. The student can receive AIC until they turn 20 years of age
• Check the other general eligibility conditions for AIC
• Procedure ends here

For tertiary students, the maximum age is the minimum school leaving age for the state or territory in which they are enrolled or registered.

Tertiary students no longer eligible for AIC may apply for ABSTUDY or Youth Allowance (YA).

Check if the student meets:

• ABSTUDY qualifications, or
• Youth Allowance (YA) qualifications