Skip to navigation Skip to content

Isolation conditions for Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme 010-03030040

Expand/Collapse all sectionsExpand all


This document outlines the different categories for when a student is considered isolated for Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC). It includes how to verify isolated conditions.

On this page:

Determining and coding isolation criteria

Determining and coding special needs for AIC

Determining and coding isolation criteria

Table 1

Step

Action

1

Isolation condition + Read more ...

An AIC claim has been lodged for a student that needs to:

  • board
  • live in a second family home, or
  • study by distance education or other approved education

If this is because of:

  • Geographic Isolation (Distance to School), go to Step 2
  • Geographic Isolation (Reasonable Access), go to Step 4
  • Special needs (including expulsion) that cannot be catered for at a local school or near the home. See Table 2
  • Deemed Isolation:
    • frequent moves due to parent(s) work, go to Step 5
    • living in a second family home with an eligible sibling, go to Step 6
    • a future change in the family's circumstances that would make the student eligible for AIC later in the year, go to Step 7

2

Geographic Isolation Rule 1 + Read more ...

If there is a transport service to the school, or one could be made available if requested, the shortest practical route is the distance from the:

  • home to the nearest available transport service, and
  • transport service to the school by the route used by the service or connecting services

When morning and afternoon transport services differ in length, the average of the 2 is considered the shortest practical route.

Decide if the principal family home is geographically isolated from the nearest appropriate state school.

  • The principal family home needs to be at least 56 km from the home to the nearest appropriate state school, or
  • The AIC Marginal Distance Confirmation form needs to show the home is geographically isolated by the shortest practical route

Check the details on:

  • the Claim for Assistance for Isolated Children (SY040) form, or
  • the SY040 and AIC Marginal Distance Confirmation (SY069) form, if required

The Resources page contains verification requirements for this rule.

Does the principal home meet these criteria?

  • Yes, the student is isolated under Rule 1
    Code the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:
  • No, go to Step 3

3

Geographic Isolation Rule 2 + Read more ...

The principal family home must be at least:

  • 16 km from the home to the nearest appropriate state school, and
  • 4.5 km distance from the home to transport (or no public/school transport is available)

Check the details:

  • on the Claim for Assistance for Isolated Children (SY040) form, or
  • the SY040 and AIC Marginal Distance Confirmation (SY069) form if required

The Resources page contains verification requirements for this rule.

Does the principal home meet these criteria?

  • Yes, the student is geographically isolated under Rule 2
    Code the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:
  • No, the student is not geographically isolated under distance to school rules
    Code the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:

4

Geographic Isolation Rule 3 - reasonable access (adverse travel conditions or other circumstances beyond the family's control) + Read more ...

If adverse travel conditions due to weather events or other circumstances beyond the family's control prevent the student from attending the appropriate state school for at least 20 school days a year, the student may be isolated under Geographic Isolation Rule 3.

A student does not have reasonable access to an appropriate state school if, for at least 20 school days in a year if they:

  • cannot get to school, or
  • the travel time for the return journey is at least three hours, or
  • the route the student must travel equals or exceeds the distances in either Rule 1 or Rule 2

The applicant needs to supply evidence to support this claim. See the Resources page for verification requirements.

Impassable roads or excess travel time

Impassable roads evidence must show that the road was impassable for at least 20 school days in accordance with AIC Scheme Guidelines 4.2.3.7.

Evidence needs to show for at least 20 school days:

  • the road was impassable, or
  • return travel time for the journey exceeds 3 hours

Has the applicant supplied relevant evidence?

Other circumstances beyond the family's control

Evidence needs to show other circumstances beyond the family's control that prevent the student from attending the appropriate state school for at least 20 school days a year in accordance with AIC Scheme Guidelines 4.2.3.

For example, circumstances could include a parent's illness preventing transport of student.

Has the applicant supplied relevant evidence?

5

Parental work requires frequent moves + Read more ...

The applicant has applied because the work/livelihood of a parent of the student needs frequent moves.

Evidence provided must confirm all of the following:

  • parent travel is a necessary part of earning their livelihood and not merely a preference
  • the parent's occupation requires them to work on site rather than at a fixed location
  • the parent needs to relocate at least 5 times a year for work purposes, including within the same property or station
  • the parent's work means that the family and most of their belongings move each time they move (belongings may be placed in storage)
  • due to these moves the student would miss at least 20 consecutive school days during each move or a cumulative total of at least 100 school days in a year

The Resources page contains verification requirements for details of evidence needed.

Does the evidence supplied meet the above criteria?

Note: 'Distance from Home' is not required when coding EIID with 'ITN' or 'NIT'.

6

Second family home with an eligible sibling + Read more ...

A student may qualify for Second Home Allowance if they live in an approved second family home with a sibling who:

  • meets an isolation condition or has a special need identified, and
  • qualifies for the Second Home Allowance

This also applies to a student with a sibling who gets Youth Allowance (YA) or ABSTUDY Living Allowance, and

  • was eligible for AIC immediately before transferring to YA or ABSTUDY
  • meets an isolation condition (under any isolation condition except 'student and sibling live in a second family home'), or
  • has a special need

To check if the sibling currently qualifies for AIC:

  • Find the applicant record
  • Check the Links Summary (LS) screen for a sibling with a Link Type of EIC
  • Select the EIC sibling and go to the EIID screen

Does the student live in a second family home with an eligible sibling?

7

Retrospective continuity of schooling concession + Read more ...

This is when a student, that is not isolated at the start of the year, but expects a change of circumstances that will make them eligible in the future, and starts:

  • boarding
  • living in a second home, or
  • undertaking distance education or other approved education

Note: an applicant cannot be paid AIC until the proposed isolation condition is met.

Does the retrospective continuity of schooling concession apply to the student?

  • Yes, and the claim was lodged before the anticipated change of circumstances:
    • In Customer First, create a manual review on the Review Registration (RVR) screen and complete the fields as follows:
      Service Reason: EIA
      Review Reason: REV (Manual Review)
      Due Date: date the applicant has indicated that the family will become isolated
      Source: INT
      Date of Receipt: today's date
      Notes: 'Check with applicant that family has become isolated. Return to OB 010-03030040 for action.'
      Keywords: REVAIC
      Workgroup: leave blank
      Position: leave blank
      Transfer to Region: leave blank
    • The review will mature on the Due Date coded in the RVR activity. Workload Management will allocate the review for manual action
    • Send a Q760 letter to the applicant to request evidence. See the Resources page for required evidence
  • Yes, and the claim was lodged after anticipated change of circumstances:
    • Contact the applicant and confirm the living arrangements have occurred
    • Assess the claim
    • EICD: Code start date of living arrangement if applicant can demonstrate that they were aware of the proposed change in circumstance at that time
    • Record details on a DOC. Include that the applicant is eligible from the earlier determined date as per AIC Scheme Guidelines 4.4.5.2
  • No, determine the correct entitlement start date before continuing with the claim

Procedure ends here.

Determining and coding special needs for AIC

Table 2: This table describes how to determine if a student has a disability, other health related condition or special education need, which requires a special program or special facilities that cannot be catered for at a local school, or in the vicinity of the home.

Step

Action

1

Special needs + Read more ...

The applicant is applying under special needs as the student has:

  • a disability
  • other health-related condition(s)
  • special education needs, or
  • been expelled from school

The applicant will need to supply evidence of special needs unless the student is:

  • enrolled at a special school, or
  • living in a special institution

The special school/institution must meet geographical isolation rules.

Note: if the student normally attends a special school near the principal family home and requires access to additional specialist assistance, evidence must be provided to demonstrate that the special school is not an appropriate school for that assistance.

Is the student enrolled at a special school or living in a special institution that meets the above?

  • Yes:
    Code the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:
    • Event Date, see Determining the Entitlement Start date for the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme
    • Nearest Approp Govt School: use the school code of the school the student is attending
    • Distance from Home to the Nearest Approp Govt School: (to the special school/institution in this case)
    • Distance from Home to School Attended:
    • Disability/health cond: Y
    • Special Needs Reason: SPS (if attending a special school), or
    • Deemed Isolation: DIN (if living in a special institution)
    • Procedure ends here
  • No, the applicant will need to supply evidence. Go to Step 2

2

Special needs evidence + Read more ...

The medical practitioner/specialist/allied health professional needs to complete the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Medical Statement - Student Special Needs (SY099) form when applying under special needs.

If the student needs to:

If the applicant is applying under student:

The Resources page contains details of verification requirements.

Note: if the condition is temporary for greater than one year, code 'permanent' (SPT) in the current year, then code a second event date with the year prior to the year new evidence is required with 'temporary' (SPH, SPF, SPL).

For example, an SY099 supplied in 2023 advises the condition is temporary, however it is to be reviewed in 24 months:

  • DOV: 2023, Special Needs Reason: SPT
  • DOV: 2024, Special Needs Reason: SPH (EOY for 2025 will request new evidence)

3

Student needs to study from home + Read more ...

The Resources page contains details of verification requirements.

Does the medical evidence and SY099 form support the claim that the student needs to study from home?

  • Yes:
    Code the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:
    • Event Date, see Determining the Entitlement Start date for the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme
    • Nearest Approp Govt School: use the school code of the school the student is attending
    • Distance from Home to the Nearest Approp Govt School: 99
    • Distance from Home to School Attended: 99
    • Disability/health cond: Y
    • Special Needs Reason:
      - SPH if the student's health condition is not long term or permanent. This code ensures the applicant is asked to provide renewed evidence when they reapply for AIC for the student, or
      - SPT if the student's health condition is long term or permanent. This code ensures the applicant does not need to provide renewed evidence when they reapply for AIC for the student
  • No, or the applicant did not provide the SY099, go to Step 9

4

Student needs to access a special facility or a special environment + Read more ...

This includes:

  • a special centre which caters for the student's condition
  • special educational or facilities within a state school
  • controlled environment and close supervision within a facility or special environment
  • an environment that provides the student with:
    • relief from a condition associated with the climate in the vicinity of the principal family home
    • ability to avoid the ill effects of lengthy daily travel; or
    • ability to obtain essential and extensive medical treatment

The Resources page contains details of verification requirements.

Does the advice on the SY099 support the claim that the student needs access to a special facility or a special environment?

  • Yes:
    Code the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:
    • Event Date, see Determining the Entitlement Start date for the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme
    • Nearest Approp Govt School: use the school code of the school the student is attending
    • Distance from Home to the Nearest Approp Govt School (this will be the distance from home to the school that offers the special facilities or environment)
    • Distance from Home to School Attended
    • Disability/health cond: Y
    • Special Needs Reason:
      - SPF if the student's health condition is not long term or permanent. This code ensures the applicant is requested to provide renewed evidence when they reapply for AIC for the student) or
      - SPT if the student's health condition is long term or permanent. This code ensures the applicant is not required to provide renewed evidence when they reapply for AIC for the student
  • No, go to Step 9

5

Student needs to be removed from a local school environment + Read more ...

The Resources page contains details of verification requirements.

If the claim is due to a disability or other health-related condition(s), does the advice on the SY099 support the claim that the student needs to be removed from a local school environment or has the student been expelled from school?

  • Yes, and the chief executive of the state or territory government education authority or their delegate has sent a letter supporting the removal of the student, including the reason(s)
    Code the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:
    • Event date, see Determining the Entitlement Start date for the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme
    • Nearest Approp Govt School: use the school code of the school the student is attending
    • Distance from Home to the Nearest Approp Govt School: code 56 kms
    • Distance from home to School Attended:
    • Disability/health cond: Y
    • Special Needs Reason:
      - SPL if the claim was because of a disability or health-related condition, and the student's disability or health condition is not long term or permanent. This code ensures the applicant is requested to provide renewed evidence when they reapply for AIC for the student, or
      - SPT if the claim was because of a disability or health-related condition, and the student's disability or health condition is long term or permanent or the student has been expelled and appropriate supporting evidence has been supplied. This code ensures the applicant is not requested to provide renewed evidence when they reapply for AIC for the student
  • Yes, and a letter from the delegate of the Chief Executive of the state or territory government education authority has not been received:
    • Manually reject the claim via the BA screen using code AIR
    • Send the applicant a Q679 letter asking for the required information
  • No, go to Step 9

6

Student needs testing or support for a learning disability + Read more ...

The Resources page contains details of verification requirements.

Has an appropriate approval letter been received from the relevant state or territory government education authority and confirmation of the testing being provided from the educational provider?

  • Yes:
    Code the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:
  • No:
    • Manually reject the claim via the BA screen using code AIR
    • Send the applicant a Q679 letter asking for the required information

Procedure ends here.

7

Student needs learning support + Read more ...

The Resources page contains details of verification requirements.

Has an appropriate letter also been received from the regional office of the state or territory government education authority (or approved specialist assessment service) and confirmation of the learning support being provided from the educational provider?

  • Yes:
    Code the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:
  • No:
    • Manually reject the claim via the BA screen using code AIR
    • Send the applicant a Q679 letter asking for the required information

Procedure ends here.

8

Student would suffer serious educational disadvantage at local school + Read more ...

The Resources page contains details of verification requirements.

Has an appropriate letter been received from the delegate of the chief executive of the state or territory government education authority?

  • Yes,
    Code the following on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:
    • Event date: this is the date the letter supplied by the relevant education authority was signed
    • Nearest Approp Govt School
    • Distance from Home to the Nearest Approp Govt School: (this will be the distance from home to the school the student is attending)
    • Distance from home to School Attended
    • Disability/health cond: Y
    • Special Needs Reason: SED
  • No:
    • Manually reject the claim via the BA screen using code AIR
    • Send the applicant a Q679 letter asking for the required information

Procedure ends here.

9

The student has no special needs + Read more ...

The applicant is not eligible as:

  • the student does not meet the criteria, or
  • evidence supplied does not verify the claim

Code the following on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:

Manually reject the claim on the BA screen using the code 'No Special Needs' (NSN).