Processing an ABSTUDY claim 010-23061559

In Customer First:

• Go to the Activity List (AL) screen
• Select the started new claim activity
• Go to the Customer Details Task Selector (CDTS) screen
• Select and update the screens using the details provided in the claim:
• Address (AD)
• Accommodation (AC)
• Relationship status (MS)
• Telephone details (TDS)
• Tax File Number Details (TFN)
• Payment Destination Details (PASB)
• Residence Requirement (RSLEG)
• Proof of Identity (POI)
• Other Contact Details (OCD)
• Office codes (OC)
• Select Next to progress through the claim

Ensure the Address Details (AD) are current.

The customer's address details must include the student's actual home (HOM) address and term (TER) address at the study location if the student lives away from home. See Updating address details.

For the steps to code the AC screen, see Completing the Accommodation Details (AC) screen and assessing Rent Assistance (RA).

A Tax File Number (TFN) is not required for a student under 16 years.

If the customer:

• has a TFN, key the TFN in the TFN: field
• meets a TFN exemption, key the exemption reason in the Exemption Reason: field
• is 16 years of age or older and does not meet either of the above, leave the TFN: field blank. The claim will Auto Reject

See Tax File Number for ABSTUDY.

ABSTUDY customers are subject to identity confirmation. Some customers may satisfy identity confirmation requirements without having to produce identity confirmation documents.

See Additional procedures exclusive to ABSTUDY apply in some circumstances.

If the customer is:

• under 18 years old, check if the payment can be made to the customer. See Payments for students under 18 years paid to student, parent or third party
• aged 18 years or more, payments will be made to the customer

See Changing payment destination. for coding assistance.

If the customer does not have a bank account, see Payment destination to determine if a direct credit exemption applies.

When the screens selected from the Customer Details Task Selector (CDTS) screen have been updated, the screen flow will go to the ABSTUDY Task Selector (EYTS) screen. Continue through this until the Education Course Details (EDC) screen presents.

See Coding ABSTUDY education details for further information.

Note: the EDC screen must be updated with the current and future year education details at the same time (that is, year 8 2022 and year 9 2023), where the claim is being:

• coded for the current year, and
• processed from 1 October onwards, due to End of Year (EOY) processing

The date of commencement for payment will be automatically calculated by the system. However, in some circumstances this may need to be manually adjusted.

See Start and closing date for ABSTUDY claims.

Is the customer claiming Independence, State Care or UTLAH?

• Yes, go to Step 9
• No, go to Step 10

When a student is claiming independence or UTLAH, see below for assessment and coding:

• Independence for ABSTUDY customers
• ABSTUDY unreasonable to live at home (UTLAH)
• ABSTUDY customer in State Care

Has the customer been approved for independence, State Care or UTLAH?

• Yes, go to Step 12
• No, go to Step 10

Go to the PIT Parent Selection (NPPS) screen. Check:

• parents are linked on the customer's record and
• parent(s)/guardian(s) Customer Reference Number(s) (CRNs) and Tax File Number(s) (TFNs) are recorded

Start date is the earliest date of:

• ABSTUDY start date
• the date the parent/guardian became an appropriate parent for the purposes of PIT

See Start and closing date for ABSTUDY claims.

The Relationship Summary (NRS) screen displays a summary of the family's details.

• Go to the Dependent Youth Rate Summary (!DYRSUMM) screen
• Check the details of the siblings and update the sibling links if necessary

Has the parent(s)/guardian(s) income information been provided?

• Yes, check the Household Income and Assets (NHI) screen to ensure the parent(s)/guardian(s) details are correctly recorded. Go to Step 12
• No, and a Parental Income Test (PIT) exemption does not apply:
• make 2 genuine attempts to contact the parent(s)/guardian(s) to request the information verbally
• if the parents cannot be contacted (and have not completed the MOD JY), see Applying the Parental income Test (PIT) for ABSTUDY and Youth Allowance (YA)
• where an estimate is provided, see Assessing and coding parental income for ABSTUDY, Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme and Youth Allowance (YA)
• go to Step 12

Code the appropriate CRN on the Payee/Debtor (EYPY) screen. To determine the appropriate payee/debtor, see ABSTUDY payments and rates.

Note: the payee/debtor will be the student, or parent/guardian. This screen should not be coded with payment nominee's details.

Has the customer advised they are employed?

• Yes, go to Step 13
• No, go to Step 14

To place the customer onto reporting within the claim, Service Officers must code the Reporting Regime Details (RPRD) screen. See Reporting screens for coding assistance.

Before finalising a claim for an ABSTUDY customer who has advised they have variable employment income, contact them to confirm the income they were paid for each fortnight since the date of commencement of ABSTUDY. See Recording and correcting employment income details.

If the customer cannot be contacted, DOC the contact attempt within the new claim grant DOC.

Go to Step 14.

• Go to the Assessment Results (AR)
• Check and finalise the activity
• Record details of the claim on a DOC
• Use Students, ABSTUDY & Apprentices > Claims - ABSTUDY > ABY SEC Granted/Rejected > Confirm
• Expire the 'Progress of ABSTUDY claim' Display on Access DOC
• Complete any scanned documents actioned as a part of the claim
• If the customer has advised that they have a dependent child under 19 years of age in their care and they or their partner are not in receipt of Family Tax Benefit (that is, FTB/CUR or FTB/CZR), see Eligibility for Family Tax Benefit (FTB) for individuals. Issue a Q888 Invite recipient to claim Family Tax Benefit letter. See Creating a Q999 or Q888 letter

Procedure ends here.

• Go to the Activity List (AL) screen
• Select the started new claim activity
• Go to the Customer Details Task Selector (CDTS) screen
• Select and update the screens using the details provided in the claim:
• Address (AD)
• Accommodation (AC)
• Relationship status (MS)
• Telephone details (TDS)
• Tax File Number Details (TFN)
• Payment Destination Details (PASB)
• Residence Requirement (RSLEG)
• Proof of Identity (POI)
• Other Contact Details (OCD)
• Office codes (OC)
• Select Next to progress through the claim

A secondary school student is entitled to the following Away from Home rate allowances, including across vacation periods. Entitlement continues even when the student returns to the permanent home for the holidays:

• Living Allowance
• Rent Assistance (RA) and
• Remote Area Allowance (RAA)

Code the AD screen to match the eligibility period for Away from Home rate. This ensures qualification for RAA, matches the eligibility period for the Away from Home rate.

For all students, record a HOM (home) address.

If the student's home address is:

• not in a RAA specified area, record the TER (term) address of where the student is residing whilst studying
• in a RAA specified area, record the location where the student resides while they are studying. Key the ADH screen as follows:
• Address Type: TER
• Start Date:
  - Private Boarder: commencement date of the board arrangement
  - Boarding School/Hostel: determined away from home start date
• End Date: start Date + 2 days
• Address: students term address
• Is Rent Assistance being claimed on this Address: Yes
• Is this address in a Remote Area for the purpose of Remote Area Allowance: No
• Should this address be used for all mail: Yes

Code a POS (postal) address with the term address details if the student wants to receive mail at their term address.

For:

• Orientation or Special Purpose travel or Boarding school/hostel student, go to Step 3
• Private Boarding student, go to Step 4

Code the AC screen. Select the option for each field, according to the type of boarding arrangement or claim type. If the instruction is not broken down by boarding arrangement or claim type, the detail included applies to all:

• Address Type: TER (Term)
• Event Date: first date of eligibility for Away from Home rate. If the student's first date of attendance is not yet known, enter the first date of the term entitlement period in which the Away from Home rate is being claimed
• Home Ownership: NHO (Non-Homeowner)
• Type of Rent: BOA (Board and Lodgings)
  Note: where a scholarship covers 100% of a student's boarding costs, key 'NRP' (No rent paid)
• Sharer Status: XSH (Exempt Sharer)
• Gross/Total Household Rent: leave blank
• Net Rent Amount: code the annual board charge of the school/hostel
• Code the actual net amount charged to the student by the school. For example, if a student receives a scholarship that covers all or most of the boarding fees, only code the amount charged after the scholarship has been deducted
• Leave blank if Type of Rent is NRP (No Rent Paid)
• If the annual board charge for the relevant academic year is not yet known, use the most recent charges listed on the provider record
• Freq: key 'ANN' (Annually) or leave blank if Type of Rent is NRP
• Rent Verification: EXB (Exempt - Customer in Boarding Style accommodation)
• Government Sub-tenant: NAP (Not applicable to customer)

Go to Step 5.

Code the AC screen. Select the option for each field, according to the type of boarding arrangement or claim type. If the instruction is not broken down by boarding arrangement or claim type, the detail included applies to all:

• Address Type: TER (Term)
• Event Date: code the commencement date of the boarding arrangement
• Home Ownership: NHO (Non-Homeowner)
• Type of Rent: BOA (Board and Lodging) or LOD (Lodging Only)
• Sharer Status: See Sharer Status field on the Accommodation Details (AC) screen to determine sharer status and coding required
• Gross/Total Household Rent: see Completing the Accommodation Details (AC) screen and assessing Rent Assistance (RA), Table 3, Step 4 - Effect of Type of Rent on Total Household Rent/Gross Household Rent and Frequency fields
• Net Rent Amount: enter the amount the customer pays for board and/or lodgings
• Freq: enter the frequency of payments, for example monthly
• Rent Verification:
• NCL (New Claim) if evidence is required, this will allow the Rent Certificate to be issued, or
• VEC (Verified Rent Certificate) if a Rent Certificate SU523HD has been provided
• Government Sub-tenant: NAP (Not applicable to customer)

Note: for students boarding privately, code the AC screen from the date the student commences in the private board arrangement. For students under 16, this may result in the payment cancelling or rejecting 'Doesn't meet Age Requirements (AGD)'. To prevent this, see the Resources page for a workaround example.

If the customer is:

• under 16 years of age, key U16 in the Exemption Reason: field
• 16 years of age and older:
• with a TFN, key the TFN in the TFN: field
• meeting a TFN exemption, key the exemption reason in the Exemption Reason: field
• 16 years of age or older and both of the following apply, leave the TFN: field blank, the claim will Auto Reject:
• does not have a TFN and
• is not eligible for an exemption

See Tax File Number for ABSTUDY.

If the customer is a student:

• under 18 years old, check whether payment can be made to the customer. For information on how to determine this, see Payments for students under 18 years paid to student, parent or a third party
  Note: in some cases a customer may have a payment and/or a correspondence nominee, see Nominees for arrangements relating to ABSTUDY customers
• aged 18 years or more, payments will be made to the customer

See Update the payment destination.

ABSTUDY customers are subject to identity confirmation. Some customers may satisfy identity confirmation requirements without having to produce identity confirmation documents.

See Additional procedures exclusive to ABSTUDY apply in some circumstances.

When the screens selected from the Customer Details Task Selector (CDTS) screen have been updated, the screen flow will go to the ABSTUDY Task Selector (EYTS) screen. Continue through this until the Education Course Details (EDC) screen presents.

See Coding ABSTUDY education details.

Where the Orientation or Special Purpose travel is for a student travelling to a hostel and school details are not yet known, update the EDC screen with the hostel Education provider code.

Due to End of Year (EOY) processing requirements, staff must update the School Fees and Boarding Details (EYSB) screen with the current and future year details at the same time (for example, year 8 2023 and year 9 2024), when the claim is:

• coded for the current year, and
• processed from 1 October onwards

For a:

• Private boarding arrangement - go to Step 9
• Orientation or Special Purpose travel claim - go to Step 9
• Boarding school or hostel - continue reading below

Calculate the student start date on the EDC screen

Locate the POA OTAC release dates document on the Resources page of Payment on Advice for ABSTUDY Away from Home rate. This document contains the SAS extraction date for each term and state. This date is important when choosing which date to code in the Student start date: field on the EDC screen. The SAS extraction date is the date used to compile the payment on advice list that is sent to schools and hostels. If a claim is granted for the current term entitlement period after the SAS extraction date, then that student will not appear on the Payment on Advice list.

If a claim is being assessed:

• on or before the SAS extraction date in the current term
• code the student start date as the first day of the term entitlement period
  Note: Term 1 will need to be coded as the course start date because it is not possible to code 1 Jan
• after the SAS extraction date in the current term
• and first day of attendance has not been provided from the school or hostel for the terms, code the student start date as the first day of the next term entitlement period, and
• when the first day of attendance is provided, update the EDC screen with the date the student commenced so the correct payments are issued
  Note: the school may need to be contacted or a manual request sent to collect this information
• for Term 4 after the SAS extraction date and the student is:
• continuing study in the next calendar year, code study for both calendar years. Code Term 4 from the start of the Term 4 entitlement period. Code the Education Payments Start Date (EPDC) screen from 1 January to avoid payments being issued
• not continuing study in the next calendar year, the claim cannot be granted until the first day of attendance for Term 4 is confirmed with the school
• for previous terms or payment of arrears in the current term when provided with the first day of attendance
• calculate the student start date on EDC screen using the third Friday rule
• multiple EDC screens may be needed if there has been a gap in entitlement
• and there is a gap in entitlement and the student was previously attending the same school in the same calendar year
• insert a new EDC screen under the same course ID
• select the existing course and adjust the Participation Status Event Date: field to the first day after the gap in entitlement and key 'I' in the Action: field
• adjust the student start and end dates within each EDC screen to reflect the gap(s) of entitlement

The date of commencement for payment will be automatically calculated by the system. However, in some circumstances this may need to be manually adjusted.

See Start and closing date for ABSTUDY claims.

Is the Calculated Start Date presenting with the correct date?

• Yes, go to Step 10
• No, code EPDC
• Manual Start Date: Calculated start date
• Rsn for Changing Dates: Enter a reason for the manual start date
• Select Continue or press [Enter]
• Go to Step 10

ABSTUDY customers approved for Away from Home rate have specific entitlement periods. See Calculating the commencement date of Away from Home rate.

If there is a previous entry on the NIH screen, the NIHS screen will display.

If there is a current entry on the NIH screen:

• End date the current entry
• Press [Enter] for a new NIH screen
• Key 'AFH' in the Action field
• Start/Reject Reason: criteria determined as per the qualification of Away from Home rate
  Note: Orientation or Special Purpose travel students applying for Away from Home rate due to a scholarship and scholarship details have not been provided. Code with 'AET'
• Start Date: commencement date of eligibility of Away from Home rate
  If a secondary student's first date of attendance is not yet known, enter the first date of the term entitlement period in which the Away from Home rate is being claimed
• End Date: (where applicable)
• End reason: (where applicable)

Go to the PIT Parent Selection (NPPS) screen. Check:

• parents are linked on the customer's record and
• parent(s)/guardian(s) Customer Reference Number(s) (CRNs) and Tax File Number(s) (TFNs) are recorded

The Relationship Summary (NRS) screen displays a summary of the family's details.

Was an interim claim lodged?

• Yes, go to Step 12
• No, go to Step 13

Specific coding is required when assessing an interim boarding claim to ensure:

• non-means tested allowances only are approved and paid
• Fares Allowance (FAA) is approved for Terms 1 and 2 only

Code the Household Income and Assets (NHI) screen:

• Event date: see Event date for Parental Income
• Financial year ending: as the base year, or the current year if a current year assessment can be granted
• PIT Exception Reasons: No exemption
• Taxable income: Leave blank

Go to Step 14.

Has the parent(s)/guardian(s) income information been provided?

• Yes, check the Household Income and Assets (NHI) screen to ensure the parent(s)/guardian(s) details are correctly recorded
• No, and a Parental Income Test (PIT) exemption does not apply:
• make 2 genuine attempts to contact the parent(s)/guardian(s) to request the information verbally
• if the parents cannot be contacted (and have not completed the MOD JY), see Applying the Parental income Test (PIT) for ABSTUDY and Youth Allowance (YA)
• where an estimate is provided, see Assessing and coding parental income for ABSTUDY, Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme and Youth Allowance (YA)

Continue assessing the claim. For:

• Orientation or Special Purpose travel, go to Step 14
• Boarding school student, go to Step 15
• Hostel which is a signatory to an ABSTUDY Hostel Agreement student, go to Step 15
• Hostel which is not a signatory to an ABSTUDY Hostel Agreement student, go to Step 16
• Private Boarding student, go to Step 16

Due to End of Year (EOY) processing requirements, staff must update the School Fees and Boarding Details (EYSB) screen with the current and future year details at the same time (for example, year 8 2023 and year 9 2024), when the claim is:

• coded for the current year, and
• processed from 1 October onwards

Determine the appropriate payee/debtor. See ABSTUDY payments and rates.

• Code the appropriate CRN on the Payee/Debtor (EYPY) screen
  Note: the payee/debtor will be the student, Australian Apprentice, or parent/guardian. Do not code with school/hostel, private board provider or payment nominee's details.
• Update the School Fees and Boarding Details (EYSB) screen so the Group 2 School Fees Allowance (SFA) can be paid. Code the actual net amount charged to the student by the school.
• Go to the EYSB screen
• Select the option for the type of claim

• Event Date: code the commencement date of the Away from Home rate
  If the student's first date of attendance is not yet known, enter the first date of the term entitlement period in which the Away from Home rate is being claimed
• Annual Fees/Tuition Amount: code the annual school fee charge
• Boarding School/Hostel Action:
• Boarding at a hostel which is a signatory to an ABSTUDY Hostel Agreement, key 'AHO'
• Boarding school, including an approved ABSTUDY Homestay arrangement, key 'ASC'
• Annual Boarding School/Hostel Amount: code the annual board charge
• Actual Term Start Date: first date of school term in which the student commenced at the Away from Home rate
• Weekly Private Board Amount: leave blank
• Scholarship Contribution Amount: code the amount a school or scholarship provider contributes to an approved scholarship for the Away from Home rate. If EYSB error mandatory coding Scholarship contribution occurs, code $0.00

Go to Step 17.

• Event Date: code the commencement date of the Away from Home rate
  If the student's first date of attendance is not yet known, enter the first date of the term entitlement period in which the Away from Home rate is being claimed
• Annual Fees/Tuition Amount: code the annual school fee charge, if this is unknown code the amount as $0.01
• Boarding School/Hostel Action:
• Boarding at a hostel which is a signatory to the ABSTUDY Hostel Agreement, key 'AHO'
• Boarding school, including an approved ABSTUDY Homestay arrangement, key 'ASC'
• Annual Boarding School/Hostel Amount: code the annual board charge
• Actual Term Start Date: first date of school term in which the student commenced at the Away from Home rate
• Weekly Private Board Amount: leave blank
• Scholarship Contribution Amount: leave blank

Go to Step 17.

• Event Date: code the commencement date of the Away from Home rate
  If the student's first date of attendance is not yet known, enter the first date of the term entitlement period in which the Away from Home rate is being claimed
• Annual Fees/Tuition Amount: code the annual school fee charge, if this is unknown code the amount as $0.01
• Boarding School/Hostel Action:
• Boarding at a hostel which is a signatory to the ABSTUDY Hostel Agreement, key 'AHO'
• Boarding school, including an approved ABSTUDY Homestay arrangement, key 'ASC'
• Annual Boarding School/Hostel Amount: code the annual school fee charge
• Actual Term Start Date: first date of school term in which the student commenced at the Away from Home rate
• Weekly Private Board Amount: leave blank
• Scholarship Contribution Amount: leave blank

Go to Step 17.

Due to End of Year (EOY) processing requirements, staff must update the School Fees and Boarding Details (EYSB) screen with the current and future year details at the same time (for example, year 8 2023 and year 9 2024), when the claim is:

• coded for the current year, and
• processed from 1 October onwards

Update as follows:

• Determine the appropriate payee/debtor. See ABSTUDY payments and rates
• Code the appropriate CRN on the Payee/Debtor (EYPY) screen
  Note: the payee/debtor will be the student, Australian Apprentice, or parent/guardian. Do not code with school/hostel, private board provider or payment nominee's details
• Update the School Fees and Boarding Details (EYSB) screen so the Group 2 School Fees Allowance (SFA) can be paid. Code the actual net amount charged to the student by the school
• Go to the EYSB screen
• Event Date: code the commencement date of the Away from Home rate
  If the student's first date of attendance is not yet known, enter the first date of the term entitlement period in which the Away from Home rate is being claimed
• Annual Fees/Tuition Amount: code the annual school fee charge
• Boarding School/Hostel Action:
• Boarding at a hostel which is a signatory to the ABSTUDY Hostel Agreement, key 'AHO'
• Boarding school, including an approved ABSTUDY Homestay arrangement, key 'ASC'
• Annual Boarding School/Hostel Amount: code the annual board charge
• Actual Term Start Date: first date of school term in which the student commenced at the Away from Home rate
• Weekly Private Board Amount: leave blank
• Scholarship Contribution Amount: code the amount a school or scholarship provider contributes to an approved scholarship for the Away from Home rate. If EYSB error mandatory coding Scholarship contribution occurs, code $0.00

If granting ABSTUDY for the new academic year where the boarding and tuition fees are unknown:

• Code the most recent charges listed on the provider record, and
• In Customer First, create a manual review on the Review Registration (RVR) screen and complete the fields as follows:
  Service Reason: ABY
  Review Reason: REV (Manual Review)
  Due Date: 1 February of the relevant academic year
  Source: INT
  Date of Receipt: today's date
  Notes: 'Check for current year boarding and tuition fees and update if required. See OB 110-07080010 to action.'
  Workgroup: leave blank
  Position: leave blank
  Transfer to Region: ABS
  Keywords (as applicable):
• GRP 3 if student is ABSTUDY current, under 16 years and boarding at secondary school or hostel
• GRP 5 if student is ABSTUDY current, 16 years or more and boarding at secondary school or hostel
• 'AHO' if the student is boarding at a hostel
• Education provider Code, for example, 28195
• The review will mature on the Due Date coded in the RVR activity. Workload Management will allocate the review for manual action. See Actioning Reviews and Manual Follow-ups (MFUs) associated with EOY processing

Go to Step 17.

Due to End of Year (EOY) processing requirements, staff must update the School Fees and Boarding Details (EYSB) screen with the current and future year details at the same time (for example, year 8 2023 and year 9 2024), when the claim is:

• coded for the current year, and
• processed from 1 October onwards

Update as follows:

• Determine the appropriate payee/debtor. See ABSTUDY payments and rates
• Code the appropriate CRN on the Payee/Debtor (EYPY) screen
  Note: the payee/debtor will be the student, Australian Apprentice, or parent/guardian. Do not code with school/hostel, private board provider or payment nominee's details
• Go to the EYSB screen
• Event Date: code the commencement date of the boarding arrangement
  If the student's first date of attendance is not yet known, enter the first date of the term entitlement period in which the Away from Home rate is being claimed
• Annual Fees/Tuition Amount: leave blank
• Boarding School/Hostel Action: for:
• Private Boarding - key 'NPB'
• Hostel which is not a signatory to the ABSTUDY Hostel Agreement, leave blank
• Annual Boarding School/Hostel Amount: leave blank
• Actual Term Start Date: first date of school term in which the student commenced at the Away from Home rate
• Weekly Private Board Amount:
• Private Boarding - code the amount requested by the applicant to be paid to the Private Board Provider (PBP) as a weekly amount. If the applicant has requested the student's entire ABSTUDY entitlement to be paid to the PBP, ensure an amount is coded that is equal to or higher than the student's rate of payment. Note: if payment has been requested to be paid to the parent/guardian, code $1.00
• Hostel which is not a signatory to an ABSTUDY Hostels Agreement - calculate the annual boarding fees and convert it to a weekly amount
• Scholarship Contribution Amount: code the amount a school or scholarship provider contributes to an approved scholarship for the Away from Home rate. If EYSB error mandatory coding SCHOLARSHIP contribution occurs, code $0.00

To facilitate payment of tuition fees, see ABSTUDY School Fees Allowance (SFA) (Group 2).

Is the student Private Boarding?

• Yes, go to Step 18
• No, and the customer advised they are:
• not employed, go to Step 20
• employed, go to Step 19

Go to the PIPI screen.

Two entitlements will be presented:

• SFA-Boarding - used to pay the students Tuition fees
• LivAllow-OTP - used to pay the students Boarding fees

Students can board at one provider and study at another. The ABSTUDY entitlements must be directed to the correct Provider/Hostel.

Locate the Provider:

• Key 'O' in the SFA-Boarding: field and press [Enter] to view the Organisation Name Search (ON) screen
• Search for the provider using their Name or CRN
  Note: key the provider's exact name or partial name with an asterisk (*) at the end (the '*' acts as a wildcard and searches for matches that are close to what was keyed)
• Select the payee and press [Enter] to view the Payment Instructions Payee Details (PIPD) screen:
• check the details on this screen are correct
• key 'Y' in the Confirm Link: field to send the ABSTUDY payment to the third party

Repeat the above steps for the LivAllow-OTP field.

Is the customer aged 16 years or older and advised they are employed?

• Yes, go to Step 19
• No for:
• students boarding at a hostel which is not a signatory to an ABSTUDY Hostels Agreement, go to Step 20
• all other boarding arrangements, go to Step 21

Payments to private board providers can only be made where the applicant has returned a completed ABSTUDY request for private board provider details. See ABSTUDY Claiming Tool process for a copy of this form.

Go to the PIPS screen.

If sending payment to a third party person or organisation:

• Key 'Y' next to the Add New Payee field and press [Enter]
• The Payment Instructions Payee Details (PIPD) screen displays
• Add the payee's name, address and bank account details
• Key 'I' in the Action field
• Key 'Y' in the Confirm Link field to send the ABSTUDY payment to the third party
• Press [Enter] to return to the PIPI screen. The Third party will now display as 'Payee' for LivingAllow field

Is the customer aged 16 or older and advised they are employed?

• Yes, go to Step 19
• No, go to Step 21

To place the customer onto reporting within the claim, Service Officers must code the Reporting Regime Details (RPRD) screen. See Reporting screens for coding assistance.

Before finalising a claim for an ABSTUDY customer who has advised they have variable employment income, contact them to confirm the income they were paid for each fortnight since the date of commencement of ABSTUDY. See Recording and correcting employment income details.

If the customer cannot be contacted, DOC the contact attempt within the new claim grant DOC.

Is the student boarding at a hostel which is not a signatory to an ABSTUDY Hostels Agreement?

• Yes, go to Step 20
• No, go to Step 21

Go to the Assessment Results (AR) screen, do not finalise the activity.

Go to the Rate Component Override (EPRC) screen, code:

• Start Date: code the commencement date of the boarding arrangement
• End Date: leave blank
• Component: BASIC
• Reason: SYS
• Amount: 0.00

Press [Enter] and repeat the above step with 'Component: RA'.

Finalise the claim:

• Go to the Assessment Results (AR) screen
• Check the claim is not issuing any ABSTUDY entitlement
• Inhibit the letter on the Actions (ASC) screen before finalising the activity
• Finalise the activity on the AR screen
• Record details of the claim on a DOC. Use Students, ABSTUDY & Apprentices > Claims - ABSTUDY > ABY Board Granted/Rejected > Confirm
• Include details of the ABSTUDY entitlement
• Expire the 'Progress of ABSTUDY claim' Display on Access DOC
• Complete any scanned documents actioned as a part of the claim
• Send a Q999 ABSTUDY Living Allowance not payable to the applicant advising of grant. See Creating a Q999 or Q888 letter

Go to Step 22.

• Go to the Assessment Results (AR) screen
• Check and finalise the activity
• Record details of the claim on a DOC
  Use Students, ABSTUDY & Apprentices > Claims - ABSTUDY > ABY Board Granted/Rejected > Confirm
• Expire the 'Progress of ABSTUDY claim' Display on Access DOC
• Complete any scanned documents actioned as a part of the claim

Go to Step 22.

ABSTUDY Travel Service Officers are responsible for conducting the assessment and issuing the email to the provider.

Is an interstate travel assessment required?

• Yes:
• Send a Fast Note - ABSTUDY Interstate Travel to be Assessed to the ABSTUDY Smart Centre Travel Team
  Select Auto text, use Students, ABSTUDY & Apprentices > ABSTUDY Travel > ABSTUDY Interstate Travel to be assessed > Confirm
• Go to Step 27
• No, for:
• Boarding school or Hostel accommodation, go to Step 23
• Private boarding accommodation, go to Step 25

If the completed claim is for a student boarding at a school or hostel, send an email to the provider. Access to the ABSTUDY secondary mailbox is required.

Open the Boarding claim outcome to Third Party Organisation template available on the Resources page.

• Select Go on the template
• Complete the following:
• Student Customer Reference Number (CRN)
• Date of Birth
• School Name
• School email address
• Obtain the school email address from the Education Institution Summary in Customer First:
• In the Nxt: field key the word 'CODES' to access the Reference Data Enquiry screen
• Complete Search Field 1: select code or name
• Complete Search Text 1: key the code number or name of school, press [Enter]
• Select relevant school
• Record the email address in the template
• Select the Yes or No responses to the questions presented, according to the claim outcome and student circumstances
• Check the final version of the letter is correct
• Send the Boarding claim outcome to the Third Party Organisation:
• Select the Email button
• Send the email from the ABSTUDY secondary mailbox
• Select the Send button and the Official option. An email will be sent to the school along with the Boarding claim outcome to Third Party Organisations
• Select the Local Print button for schools that do not have an email, and post directly to the school. Include a reply paid envelope
• Record details on a DOC in the student's record
• Upload a copy of the email to the customer's record using Form Type UNS010
• Annotate the grant DOC to state that an email has been issued to the provider

Has the Boarding claim outcome to Third Party Organisations letter sent via email failed?

• Yes, go to Step 24
• No, for:
• Orientation or Special Purpose travel Students, go to Step 26
• All other payments, go to Step 27

If an email is received advising the email has failed, due to an error:

• Contact the school to investigate
• Check the email address is recorded correctly. If not, or a new email address is provided, update the Reference Data Facility (RDF) and resend the email
• Record a DOC on the school's record noting the time the email was issued

If the email continually fails, print a copy of the email, post directly to the school and include a reply paid envelope. Record a DOC on the school record noting the action taken.

Was the assessment for Orientation or Special Purpose travel?

• Yes, go to Step 26
• No, go to Step 27

If NCL was coded in the Rent Verification: field on the AC screen with a date earlier than today, a rent certificate will need to be issued manually.

If the applicant has elected to receive payments during the school holidays, code a review.

See Manually issuing a Rent Certificate (SU523HD).

Go to Step 27.

In Customer First, create a manual review on the Review Registration (RVR) screen and complete the fields as follows:

• Service Reason: ABY
• Review Reason: REV (Manual Review)
• Due Date:
• 14 days from the interview date, or
• 1 February in the year of study if the claim is for studies in the following calendar year
• Source: INT
• Date of Receipt: today's date
• Notes: record scholarship information including if details are required or provided and 'return to OB 010-23061559 Process > 'Schooling B – Boarder' > Step 26 to action MFU'.
• Keywords: BOARDER
• Workgroup: leave blank
• Position: leave blank
• Transfer to Region: ABS

The review will mature on the Due Date coded in the RVR activity. Workload Management will allocate the review for manual action.

• Send a desktop fax for granted/rejected boarders to the boarding school/hostel, along with the request for approved scholarship confirmation
• When the review matures:
• If the scholarship details have not been provided, contact the school. If unable to contact, reject ABSTUDY using reason code FSD (Failed to Supply Documents)
• If scholarship details have been provided, ensure the NIH screen is corrected to ASP or ASF where AET has been coded
• Update EYSB screen with the correct board and tuition amounts
• Update AC screen with the correct board paid. See Assessing scholarship income

Go to Step 27.

Does the student live in an RAA specified area and the term address end date is in the future?

• Yes, go to Step 28
• No, procedure ends here

In Customer First, create a manual review on the Review Registration (RVR) screen and complete the fields as follows:

• Service Reason: ABY
• Review Reason: REV (Manual Review)
• Due Date: +1 day after coded end date of term address
• Source: INT
• Date of Receipt: today's date
• Notes: RAA entitlement workaround required, return to OB 010-23061559 Process > 'Schooling B – Boarder' > Step 28 for coding to action MFU
• Keywords: BOARDER
• Workgroup: leave blank
• Position: leave blank
• Transfer to Region: ABS

The review will mature on the Due Date coded in the RVR activity. Workload Management will allocate the review for manual action.

Confirm the student is still entitled to ABSTUDY as a boarder and their circumstances remain the same since grant date

Confirm correct coding on the current entry on the ACS screen for the student circumstances.

If the current entry on the ACS screen displays rent verification as 'Not Verified' or 'Chg Address/Accom Circs':

• select the event date to open AC screen
• insert data into Source and Receipt Date fields
• select 'Delete' option
• finalise activity through AR

Procedure ends here.

If a student was receiving JobSeeker Payment (JSP) within a 12 month period prior to claiming ABSTUDY, check their eligibility for Education Entry Payment (EdEP). EdEP payments must be made prior to granting ABSTUDY Living Allowance. See JobSeeker Payment (JSP) job seekers returning to full-time study.

Is the student a dependant?

• Yes, go to Step 2
• No, go to Step 3

Updates to relationship links on the PIT Parent selections (NPPS) and Marital Status (MS) screens are to be completed before selecting the Process button.

For coding of:

• PIT Parent Selection (NPPS) screen, see Creating, updating and ending Parental Income Test (PIT) links with dependent student, Australian Apprentice and job seeker recipients or claimants
• MS screen, see Assessment of relationship status - processes, roles and responsibilities

Once relationship links are correct, go to Step 3.

To start processing a claim, select Process on the Claim Application screen.

When Process is selected, it will automatically go to the Errors (SWE) screen. The SWE screen displays a Message Log and a Task Selector.

The information from the claim prepopulates. If information is not loaded correctly, an error or warning message displays:

• Error messages displayed in red must be fixed before the claim can be assessed. For help, see Using Digital Assistant Roxy in Process Direct
• Warnings displayed in yellow do not block processing of the Work Item. Warnings draw attention to coding that must be checked before finalising the work item. Warnings continue to display until the claim is finalised

Using the Claim Summary, check the appropriate screens according to the information provided in the claim.

Check information provided in the claim (provisional data) is accurate and in line with any evidence provided, update where necessary.

Check no conflict exists between the provisional data and confirmed data. Correct where necessary.

Make all necessary updates required within the claim. Delete non-verified provisional data before finalising the claim to prevent data applying to the customer record.

Use Task Selector or manually key the required screen into the Super Key to go through each mandatory screen.

Ensure the Address Details (AD) are current.

The customer's address details must include the student's actual home (HOM) address and term (TER) address at the study location if the student lives away from home. See Updating address details.

Tertiary students are subject to normal Remote Area Allowance (RAA) entitlement provisions.

For the steps to code the AC screen, see Completing the Accommodation Details (AC) screen and assessing Rent Assistance (RA).

Note: if the student is claiming Residential Cost Option, see Payment of Residential Costs Option (RCO) for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES).

If the customer is:

• 16 years of age and older:
• with a TFN, key the TFN in the TFN: field
• meeting a TFN exemption, key the exemption reason in the Exemption Reason: field
• 16 years of age or older and both of the following apply, leave the TFN: field blank. The claim will Auto Reject if the customer:
• does not have a TFN and
• is not eligible for an exemption

See Tax File Number for ABSTUDY.

ABSTUDY customers are subject to identity confirmation. Some customers may satisfy identity confirmation requirements without having to produce identity confirmation documents.

See Additional procedures exclusive to ABSTUDY apply in some circumstances.

If the customer is:

• a student, go to Step 10
• an Australian Apprentice, go to Step 9

For Australian Apprentices, the mandatory screens for coding details of their Australian Apprenticeship are:

• Customer Study Details (EDC) screen - insert an EDC screen with a Participation Status of 'APT' (Apprentice/Trainee) from the calculated grant date
• Coded on the Apprentice Details/Apprenticeship Details (NAPD) screen
• Education Payments Start Date (EPDC) - the date of commencement for payment will be automatically calculated by the system. However, in some circumstances, this may need to be manually adjusted. See Start and closing date for ABSTUDY claims
• the Apprentice employer details must be coded on the Employment Income Paid Details (EAPP) screen

Prior to finalising a claim for an Australian Apprentice, contact the customer to confirm their income for each fortnight since the date they became qualified as an Australian Apprentice.

All Australian Apprentices in receipt of Living Allowance need to report their income fortnightly. The system will automatically apply the 2-weekly reporting profile to these customers.

Australian Apprentices who have an Employment Services Assessment (ESAt) on their record in the last 2 years, stating a partial capacity to work, may be required to undergo another ESAt to determine if it is still valid.

Until another ESAt is undertaken, Youth Disability Supplement (YDS) will be paid automatically when ABSTUDY is granted. Payment of YDS cannot be stopped manually.

To refer the customer for another ESAt, see Employment Services Assessment (ESAt) Referral.

Service Officers should use 'Change of Circumstances' as the reason code for the ESAt referral.

If the Australian Apprentice is:

• 22 years of age or over, go to Step 15
• under 22 years of age,
• applying for away from home or independence, go to Step 13
• not applying for away from home or independence, go to Step 14

Check the study details are correct.

See Coding ABSTUDY education details.

Note: when assessing an interim claim, Full-time student (Incidentals Only) (FTI) is to be coded in the Participation Status field to only pay ABSTUDY non-income tested allowances until a full claim is completed.

The date of commencement for payment will be automatically calculated by the system. However, in some circumstances this may need to be manually adjusted.

See Start and closing date for ABSTUDY claims.

If the customer has accepted an SSL, this will need to be coded within the new claim activity.

View and update SSL details from the Student Start-up Loan Summary (SSLS) screen.

See Student Start-up Loan (SSL) for coding details.

If the student is:

• 22 years of age or over, go to Step 15
• under 22 years of age:
• applying for away from home or independence, go to Step 13
• not applying for away from home or independence, go to Step 14

Complete the NIH screen if the customer is considered to be:

• independent for ABSTUDY, or
• a homeless ABSTUDY customer, or
• qualified for the Away from Home rate of ABSTUDY or
• ABSTUDY customer in State Care

Relocation Location Details (RLD) screen - to be coded for students:

• claiming independence under self supporting regional or remote students, or
• students studying an approved scholarship course who are independent and disadvantaged by personal circumstances, or dependent and must live away from home

Go to Step 15.

Has the parent(s)/guardian(s) income information been provided?

• Yes, check the Household Income and Assets (NHI) screen to ensure the parent(s)/guardian(s) details are correctly recorded. Go to Step 15
• No, and a Parental Income Test (PIT) exemption does not apply:
• make 2 genuine attempts to contact the parent(s)/guardian(s) to request the information verbally
• if the parents cannot be contacted (and have not completed the MOD JY), see Applying the Parental income Test (PIT) for ABSTUDY and Youth Allowance (YA)
• where an estimate is provided, see Assessing and coding parental income for ABSTUDY, Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme and Youth Allowance (YA)
• go to Step 15

Note: do not reject the claim for failing to provide parental income information, as payment of non-means tested allowances/benefits can still occur for the relevant award.

If the customer is a student:

• under 18 years old, check whether payment can be made to the customer. For information on how to determine this, see Payments for students under 18 years paid to student, parent or a third party
  Note: in some cases a customer may have a payment and/or a correspondence nominee, see Nominees for arrangements relating to ABSTUDY customers
• aged 18 years or more, payments will be made to the customer

See Update the payment destination for further information.

If the customer does not have a bank account, see Payment destination to determine if a direct credit exemption applies.

Select Product (SVP) - for more information to update the SVP screen, see Coding income and assets for Centrelink payments and services.

Has the customer advised they are employed?

• Yes, go to Step 17
• No, go to Step 18

The system no longer needs Reporting Regime Details (RPRD) coding where the customer advises they have employment income in their ABSTUDY claim. This means there is no provisional coding on the RPRD screen while staff process the claim.

Where a customer has advised they are employed after lodgement of a claim and no income details have been provided, RPRD screen requires manual coding, Service Officers must use a manual override option.

Student advised of income inside claim

Code the advised income on the Employment Income Summary (EANS) screens, see Recording and correcting employment income details.

When the claim is taken to assess, the system will then determine the customer's reporting requirements.

Manual RPRD coding

To manually place the customer onto reporting within the claim, Service Officers must select Sys - System Override (manual - SSG staff only) as the Reason for Requirement on the RPRD screen. All other coding for fields on the RPRD screen stays the same.

See Reporting screens.

Go to Step 18.

Was ABSTUDY paid for a period that the customer was previously paid a Social Security payment or Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment which was cancelled to grant ABSTUDY?

• Yes, go to Step 19
• No, go to Step 20

ABSTUDY arrears generated for a period that the customer was previously paid a Social Security payment or Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment must be reduced to offset the debt shell created by the cancellation of payment.

To manually reduce arrears in Entitlements (ELD):

• Select Assess to go to ELD
• Enter RAC in the Super Key
• reduce each payment period displayed by the amount of the cancelled payment for that period. Use Man Adj Reason ADJ
• After all reductions have been completed, select Update
• Return to ELD

Go to Step 20.

Before finalising a claim for an ABSTUDY customer who has advised they have variable employment income, contact them to confirm the income they were paid for each fortnight since the date of commencement of ABSTUDY. See Recording and correcting employment income details.

If the customer cannot be contacted, DOC the contact attempt within the new claim grant NOTE.

ABSTUDY students have access to report their employment income via Centrelink online account up to 6 months after their reporting date providing:

• the student's benefit status is 'CUR'rent
• the student is registered for online services
• there are no other reasons preventing the student from reporting online (for example, SSAF exclusions), and
• the student is reporting within 22 days of the date of grant of their new claim

ABSTUDY students reporting using any other self service channel (Interactive Voice Response (IVR) or Express Plus App) will not have access to reporting for previous reports greater than 13 days after their report date.

If the ABSTUDY customer has transferred from another payment such as JobSeeker Payment (JSP), ensure any Centrepay deductions from the previous benefit have transferred to ABSTUDY. See Starting, changing and cancelling a Centrepay deduction at the request of a customer.

The Energy Supplement will be paid if the recipient is eligible. If a frequency change is requested, check/update Energy Supplement payment frequency option.

Note: ABSTUDY Masters and Doctorate can only receive the Energy Supplement quarterly in arrears.

• Select Assess to go to Entitlements (ELD) screen
• Check and finalise the activity
• Record details of the claim on a NOTE
• Complete any scanned documents actioned as a part of the claim
• If the customer has advised that they have a dependent child under 19 years of age in their care and they or their partner are not in receipt of Family Tax Benefit (that is, FTB/CUR or FTB/CZR), see Eligibility for Family Tax Benefit (FTB) for individuals. Issue a Q888 Invite recipient to claim Family Tax Benefit letter. See Creating a Q999 or Q888 letter

Were arrears reduced to offset a debt?

• Yes, go to Step 21
• No, procedure ends here

Once the claim activity is completed, finalise the debt shell for the precluding payment as 'no debt' with FND Reason: NDC.

For coding, see Finalised 'no debt' (FND) or 'zeroing' debts that are not legally recoverable.

Is the customer ABSTUDY current?

• Yes, go to Step 2
• No, go to Step 3

Claim is not required.

Change Status to 'Not Required'.

See ABSTUDY Incidentals Allowance.

Procedure ends here.

To receive ABSTUDY Incidentals assistance the customer must meet the eligibility criteria for one of the following awards:

• Schooling B Award
• Tertiary Award
• Part-time Award
• Masters and Doctorate Award

Does the customer qualify for one of the above Awards?

• Yes, go to Step 5
• No, go to Step 4

Reject the claim.

The following streamline rejection codes are available:

• All claims:
• COP - another payment is more appropriate
• FRC - failed to reply to correspondence
• FSD - failed to supply documents
• IMP - Customer in prison
• NAB - Not an Aboriginal
• OGA - other government assistance
• Tertiary student claims only:
• NAC - enrolled in unapproved course
• NAI - not an approved provider
• NAS - not a student
• Australian Apprentice claims only:
• NAT - not an apprentice

Is a streamline rejection code available?

• Yes, go to Step 15
• No, upon coding the claim information, the rejection may automatically occur. Go to Step 5

To start processing a claim, select Process on the Claim Application screen.

When Process is selected, it will automatically go to the Errors (SWE) screen. The SWE screen displays a Message Log and a Task Selector.

The information from the claim prepopulates. If information is not loaded correctly, an error or warning message displays:

• Error messages displayed in red must be fixed before the claim can be assessed. For help, see Using Digital Assistant Roxy in Process Direct
• Warnings displayed in yellow do not block processing of the Work Item. Warnings draw attention to coding that must be checked before finalising the work item. Warnings continue to display until the claim is finalised

The Resources page has a link to current Process Direct issues.

Using the Claim Summary, check the appropriate screens according to the information provided in the claim.

• Check information provided in the claim (provisional data) is accurate and in line with any evidence provided, update where necessary
• Check no conflict exists between the provisional data and confirmed data. Correct where necessary
• Make all necessary updates required within the claim. Delete non-verified provisional data before finalising the claim to prevent data applying to the customer record
• Use Task Selector or manually key the required screen into the Super Key to go through each mandatory screen

Verify Accommodation

• Select Accommodation Details (ACS)
• If details already recorded:
• Insert a new line with the Event Date as the Claim grant date
• leave all other details unchanged
• If no previous details recorded, select Add and code:
• Address Type field - HOM - Home
• Event Date field - Claim grant date
• Accommodation Details For field - select Customer or Customer and Partner depending on the customer's relationship status
• Home Ownership field - select NHO - Non- Homeowner
• Accommodation Status field - NAS

The system may need a second AC line using Event Date: Date of Receipt where:

• a customer has not previously had accommodation details recorded, and
• the date of receipt of claim is prior to the ABSTUDY grant date

ABSTUDY customers are subject to identity confirmation. However, it is not a requirement for customers claiming non-means tested components of ABSTUDY. See Additional procedures exclusive to ABSTUDY apply in some circumstances.

Check identity is Confirmed, or the recording of an exemption reason. If not confirmed, or an exemption is not recorded:

• Select Add and code:
• Start Date field - Claim grant date
• Has sufficient POI been provided field - select Y if Confirmed or N if Not Confirmed
• if POI not confirmed, select AB - ABSTUDY customers who don't require POI in the Reason for Insufficient POI field

Further identity confirmation. If the Identity Status is Not Confirmed, code alternative proof of identity:

• Select the Not Confirmed link to open a Customer Summary window
• Select Identity Confirmation > Identity Confirmation Dashboard from the Task Selector
• Code the identity documents or consider applying alternative identity
• Close the Customer Summary window to return to the claim

Customers may get an exemption from providing a TFN in limited circumstances.

These exemptions should only be temporary. Record a review to request their TFN or record their TFN if the customer provides it:

• key the TFN, or
• select the relevant exemption reason

See Tax File Number (TFN) for ABSTUDY.

Customer Study Details (EDC) - Student

Check the study details are correct. See Coding ABSTUDY education details.

Customer Study Details (EDC) - Australian Apprentice

On EDC insert a line using:

• Participation Status: API (Apprentice - INC only)
• Participation Status Event Date: the calculated grant date

Education Payment Start Date (EPDC)

The system calculates the Claim grant date but allows manual change if required. See Start and closing date for ABSTUDY claims. A manual change of the start date to an earlier date requires an update to the date of event of provisional coding.

Customers must provide bank account details held in their name. The granting of a 28-day grace period is available for customers with genuine barriers in providing bank account details. See Payment destination.

Is the customer claiming as a student?

• Yes, go to Step 13
• No, go to Step 12

• Go to the Apprentice Details/Apprenticeship Details (NAPD) screen
• Add the Australian Apprenticeship details

If the claim is to be:

• granted, go to Step 16
• streamline rejected, go to Step 14
• manually rejected, go to Step 15
• automatically rejected, go to Step 17

When a claim is finalised as a streamline rejection, no updates or circumstance changes are applied to the customer's record apart from the assessment outcome itself. This happens even where provisional updates have been recorded prior to the streamline rejection being actioned.

To streamline reject a new claim using Process from the Claim Application screen:

• Go to the Benefit Action (BA) screen
• Select Add New
• On the Create Benefit Action screen, Benefit Type Code, Benefit Action and Date of Effect will automatically default
• Select the Streamline indicator box. A tick will appear
• In the Reason field select reason code from the drop-down box
• Select Save
• Select Assess, and address any errors/warnings
• Select Assess again. This will go to the Entitlement (ELD) screen, make sure the correct rejection reason displays
• Select Finish, record the details of the update
• Select Finalise

Go to Step 18.

Make sure all coding is complete for the claim assessment

To manually reject the claim:

• Go to the Benefit Action (BA) screen
• Select Add New
• On the Create Benefit Action screen, Benefit Type Code, Benefit Action and Date of Effect will automatically default
• In the Reason field select reason code from the drop-down box
• Select Save

Note: if the rejection reason is OTH no comments can be recorded in the Notes field. Service Officers must record the reason for the rejection in the Notes.

Go to Step 18.

To finalise the claim:

• Select Assess
• Errors, warnings or messages may display and require action
• If no errors, the Entitlement (ELD) screen displays. Check the outcome is correct for the customer, and partner if applicable
• If the customer is Income Managed, INM appears on the benefit status line. If arrears or a lump sum payment displays on the ELD screen, see Identifying and assisting income managed customer
• Select Finish
• The Claim Finalisation Note will appear, see Recording reasons for decisions under Getting it Right. Edit or add any extra details required
• Select Finalise to complete the claim
• A dialogue box will appear to confirm the claim is successfully completed. Select OK

Go to Step 18.

To finalise the claim:

• Select Assess
• Errors, warnings or messages may display and require action
• If no errors, the Entitlement (ELD) screen displays. Check the outcome is correct for the customer, and partner if applicable
• Select Assess again, then select Finish
• Record details of the update on the Finalise screen
• See Recording reasons for decisions under Getting it Right. Edit or add any extra details required
• Select Finalise to complete the claim
• A dialogue box will appear to confirm the claim is successfully completed. Select OK

A manual letter is needed if:

• a Manual Follow-up (MFU) activity is created on the Activity List (AL) screen after overnight processing
• a rejection activity has been actioned manually

Create a manual letter (Q134) within the activity in Customer First. Detail the reasons for rejection of the ABSTUDY payment, the date of effect and the relevant section of the ABSTUDY policy. The advice must also include the recipient's review and appeal rights.

When creating the Q134 letter, insert the following text into the free text field and update the correct policy reference(s) for the rejection action:

• 'This rejection has been made under <insert relevant Policy here> of the ABSTUDY Policy Manual'

When prompted to select the reference to the relevant act under which the decision was made select:

• 'This decision has been made under the Student Assistance Act 1973'

Due to system limitations, Incidentals only can be granted to allow travel, meals or accommodation to be booked in advance while the student is still on another benefit. Was Incidentals only granted to allow an Away from Base activity to be booked in advance, and the student will qualify for Living Allowance once the course starts?

• Yes, go to Step 19
• No, procedure ends here

Due to system limitations ABSTUDY Living Allowance cannot be granted until the course start date. Create a review for the Living Allowance to be assessed:

• in Customer First create a manual review on the Review Registration (RVR) screen and complete the fields as follows:
• Service Reason: ABY
• Review Reason: REV (Manual Review)
• Due Date: Course start date
• Source: INT
• Date of Receipt: today's date
• Notes: Customer has been granted ABSTUDY Incidentals only due to system limitations. Please assess entitlement to ABSTUDY Living allowance as per claim lodged on DD/MM/YYYY. See OB 010-23061559 for assessment.'
• Keywords: ACTABY, SY019 and ABYNCL
• Workgroup: leave blank
• Position: leave blank
• Transfer to Region: ABS
• The review will mature on the Due Date coded in the RVR activity. Workload Management will allocate the review for manual action

Procedure ends here.

Has the Testing and Assessment claim been lodged by the ABSTUDY closing date?

• Yes, and the customer is:
• ABSTUDY current, go to Step 3
• not ABSTUDY current, go to Step 4
• No, the customer is not eligible. If they are:
• ABSTUDY current, go to Step 2
• not ABSTUDY current, go to Step 4

• Record details of the decision on a DOC. The information must indicate the reasons why the customer is not eligible for assistance
• Contact the customer and explain the decision. See Making an unfavourable decision (CLK)
• Complete any open scanned documents relating to the claim

Procedure ends here.

System limitations prevent recording of Testing and Assessment course details on the EDC screen. Create a Display on Access (DOA) DOC and record the details of the Testing and Assessment activity. See Creating, reviewing and deleting documents (including Fast Notes and DOA DOCs).

In Customer First, create a manual review on the Review Registration (RVR) screen and complete the fields as follows:

• Service Reason: ABA
• Review Reason: REV (Manual Review)
• Due Date: day after the activity finishes
• Source: INT
• Date of Receipt: today's date
• Notes: 'Generate a Q999 requesting confirmation of attendance in the activity.'
• Keywords: ACTABY and AFB
• Workgroup: leave blank
• Position: leave blank
• Transfer to Region: ABS

The review will mature on the Due Date coded in the RVR activity. Workload Management will allocate the review for manual action.

When the activity matures, the Away from Base Service Officer will generate a Q999 letter requesting confirmation of attendance in the activity. See Assessing and processing ABSTUDY Away from Base activities.

Complete any open scanned documents relating to the claim.

Procedure ends here.

Select the ABSTUDY New Claim activity on the Activity List (AL) screen to display the ABSTUDY Task Selector (ETYS).

Update the appropriate screens according to the information provided in the claim. Pre-selected mandatory screens are:

• Education Course Details (EDC) - for more information on updating this screen, see Coding ABSTUDY education details
• Education Payments Start Date (EPDC) - the system automatically calculates the date of commencement for payment. In some circumstances, a manual adjustment is required. See Start and closing date for ABSTUDY claims
• Select Product (SVP) - press [Enter] through the screen without completing any details

The following screens may present depending on the customers circumstances. Press [Enter] through the screens without completing any details:

• Independent/Homeless/Away From Home Details (NIH)
• Higher Education Scholarship Details (HESD)
• Family Pool Summary (NSFP)

To go to the Customer Details Task Selector, key 'CDTS' in the Next field. Update the appropriate screens according to the information provided in the claim. Pre-selected mandatory screens are:

• Accommodation Details (AC)

If the customer is:

• receiving Rent Assistance (RA) for another payment. Note: this includes where the customer has claimed RA, but it is not being paid because verification has not been received:
• 'I'nsert a new AC screen with no changes
• Event Date: Claim grant date
• not receiving RA, a new AC screen needs to be 'I'nserted. Key the following:
• Address Type: Home
• Event Date: Claim grant date
• Accommodation Details: select according to the customers relationship status. Note: a response may have been entered automatically
• Home Ownership: NHO Non-Homeowner
• Sharer Status: NAS (Not a Sharer)

The system may need a second AC line using Event Date: Date of Receipt where:

• a customer has not previously had accommodation details recorded, and
• the date of receipt of claim is prior to the ABSTUDY grant date

Tax File Number Authority (TFN)

• Key the TFN, or
• Select the relevant exemption reason

See Tax File Number (TFN) for ABSTUDY.

Payment Destination Details (PASB)

Customers must provide bank account details held in their name. Customers with genuine barriers in providing bank account details can be granted a 28-day grace period. See Payment destination.

Proof of Identity (POI)

ABSTUDY customers are subject to Identity Confirmation. However, it is not a requirement for customers claiming non-means tested components of ABSTUDY. See Additional procedures exclusive to ABSTUDY apply in some circumstances.

Where POI is required, code the identity documents or apply alternative identity.

To finalise the claim:

• Go to the Assessment Results (AR) screen
• Check the result is correct. The new claim activity displays as ABY/CAN-ATA. This is correct as the Testing and Assessment payment is a one-off payment
• Finalise the activity
• In Customer First, create a manual review on the Review Registration (RVR) screen and complete the fields as follows:
• Service Reason: ABA
• Review Reason: REV (Manual Review)
• Due Date: day after the activity finishes
• Source: INT
• Date of Receipt: today's date
• Notes: 'Generate a Q999 requesting confirmation of attendance in the activity.'
• Keywords: ACTABY and AFB
• Workgroup: leave blank
• Position: leave blank
• Transfer to Region: ABS
• The review will mature on the Due Date coded in the RVR activity. Workload Management will allocate the review for manual action
• When the activity matures, the Away from Base Service Officer creates a Q999 letter requesting confirmation of attendance in the activity. See Assessing and processing ABSTUDY Away from Base activities

Procedure ends here.

Has the assessment of the Lawful Custody Allowance claim occurred and the ABSTUDY Lawful Custody Allowance, Claim for reimbursement - to support SY022 (SY108), been received?

• Yes, go to Step 11
• No, check the SY022, then go to Step 2

A closing date applies to Lawful Custody claims. Lodgement must occur before 1 April in the year immediately following the year of study, or apprenticeship activity:

• unless the customer is a vulnerable customer, or
• the late lodgement was due to circumstances beyond their control

See Start and closing date for ABSTUDY claims.

Was the SY022 lodged by the closing date, and/or do acceptable reasons for late lodgement apply?

• Yes, go to Step 3
• No, go to Step 10

If the customer is

• a student, go to Step 5
• an Australian Apprentice, go to Step 4

To qualify for ABSTUDY as an Australian Apprentice, a person must have a current Commonwealth Registration Number relating to a full-time Australian Apprenticeship.

Refer the apprenticeship details to a Local Peer Support (LPS). They will check and confirm the details on the Access Apprenticeship database.

If the Australian Apprenticeship details on the database are:

• confirmed, go to Step 5
• unconfirmed:
• Hold the claim for 14 days
• Record details in a Progress of ABSTUDY Claim Fast Note Display on Access (DOA)
• Check the claim every 14 days for up to 13 weeks
• Contact the customer. Explain approval of payments cannot occur until the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations record confirmation of their Australian Apprenticeship status
• If the status is still unconfirmed after 13 weeks from the receipt of the claim, go to Step 10

Students and Australian Apprentices must meet specific criteria to qualify for Lawful Custody Award.

Are they eligible for Lawful Custody Award?

• Yes, go to Step 6
• No, go to Step 10

Students and Australian Apprentices who qualify for the Lawful Custody Award may qualify for Lawful Custody Allowance.

In Customer First, open the customer's record to code the claim:

• Select the started new claim (NCL) activity from the Activity List (AL) screen
• Go to the Customer Details Task Selector (CDTS) screen
• Update the appropriate screens based on the claim information provided

Pre-selected mandatory screens:

• Accommodation (AC) - even though this screen does not need the details for this claim, the system will not accept the claim unless completed. Enter the following codes in the relevant fields:
• Address Type Used for RA calc - 'HOM'
• Home Ownership - 'NHO'
• Sharer Status - 'NAS'
• Tax File Number Details (TFN) - code the TFN or exemption reason:
• Prior to granting ABSTUDY (if not provided), the customer must supply a:
  - TFN, if they do not meet an exemption reason, or
  - TFN application form
  For further information, see Tax File Number (TFN) for ABSTUDY
• Payment Destination Details (PAS) - even though this screen does not need the details for this claim, the system will not accept the claim unless completed. Enter the following code:
• 'OVR/TEMP. OVERWRITE TNG & FNG' override in the Direct Credit Exemption Reason field
• Identity Confirmation - code the Proof of Identity (POI) exemption reason 'AB'

Note: customers may be eligible for Lawful Custody Allowance for more than one course. If a customer is current, they cannot have a NCL activity indexed on their record. This will require a separate activity to complete the relevant coding.

After updating the screens selected from the Customer Details Task Selector (CDTS) screen, the screen flow will go to the EYTS.

Update the appropriate screens based on the claim information.

Pre-selected mandatory screens will depend on the age of the customer.

If the customer is aged:

• 22 years or over, go to Step 8
• under 22 years, go to Step 9

Students

• Customer Study Details (EDC) screen in Process Direct or Education Course Details (EDC) screen in Customer First - for information on how to update this screen, see Coding ABSTUDY education details
• Code the Participation Status field as 'LAW'
• Education Payments Start Date (EPDC) screen - the system automatically calculates the payment start date
• Accept this date unless the student has transferred from another payment. If so, the date to use will then be - Date Paid To plus 1 (DPT+1)

Australian Apprentices (apprentice or trainee)

• Apprenticeship Details (NAPD) screen - Code Australian Apprenticeship details on the NAPD screen
• EDC screen - for information on how to update this screen, see Coding ABSTUDY education details
• Code the Participation Status field as 'APL'

Note: select any other screens on the EYTS screen with a 'Y' next to them, to confirm the details on these screens are still current.

Go to Step 11.

Students

• Customer Study Details (EDC) screen in Process Direct or Education Course Details (EDC) screen in Customer First - for information on how to update this screen, see Coding ABSTUDY education details
• Code the Participation Status field as 'LAW'
• Education Payments Start Date (EPDC) screen - the system automatically calculates the payment start date:
• Accept this date unless the student has transferred from another payment. If so, the date to use will then be - Date Paid To plus 1 (DPT+1), or
• If the student is turning 16 years of age, use the date of their 16th birthday

Australian Apprentices (apprentice or trainee)

• Apprenticeship Details (NAPD) screen - Code Australian Apprenticeship details on the NAPD screen
• EDC screen - for more information on how to update this screen, see Coding ABSTUDY education details
• Code the Participation Status field as 'APL'
• EPDC screen - the system automatically calculates the payment start date:
• Accept this date unless the student has transferred from another payment. If so, the date to use will then be - Date Paid To plus 1 (DPT+1), or
• If the student is turning 16 years of age, use the date of their 16th birthday

Independent/Homeless/Away From Home Details (NIH) screen, press [Enter] through this screen - Not required for a Lawful Custody claim.

Note: select any other screens on the EYTS screen with a 'Y' next to them, to confirm the details on these screens are still current.

Go to Step 11.

As the customer is not eligible for ABSTUDY, complete the following:

• Reject the claim for ABSTUDY
• Advise them of the decision and their review and appeal rights
• Rejected claim for payment as an Australian Apprentice:
• Where this occurs after 13 weeks because the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations have not recorded confirmation of their Australian Apprenticeship status, contact the customer to inform them of the rejection reason
• Record the reasons for the decision to reject the ABSTUDY claim on the ABY LAW Granted/Rejected Fast Note
  Select Auto text, use Students, ABSTUDY & Apprentices > Claims - ABSTUDY > ABY LAW Granted/Rejected > Confirm

Staff should find these listed on the ABSTUDY Lawful Custody Allowance, Claim for reimbursement - to support SY022 (SY108) provided by the correctional institution. The Head of School/Faculty must verify the itemised claim as being an essential requirement for all students or Australian Apprentices.

Has the correctional institution lodged an itemised list of essential course costs or equipment costs?

• Yes, go to Step 12
• No, Lawful Custody Allowance is not payable at this stage. However, the customer will remain current (with no payment), so assessment can occur when the correctional institution lodges the essential course or equipment costs:
• Finalise the activity on the Assessment Results (AR) screen
• Record details on the ABY LAW Granted/Rejected Fast Note
  Select Auto text, use Students, ABSTUDY & Apprentices > Claims - ABSTUDY > ABY LAW Granted/Rejected > Confirm
• Procedure ends here

Check the ABSTUDY Lawful Custody Allowance, Claim for reimbursement - to support SY022 (SY108).

To consider essential costs as legitimate, the:

• Essential course costs must:
• be verified by the Head of School/Faculty as being an essential requirement for all students undertaking the course, and
• have evidence of expenditure, such as receipts, lodged by the correctional institution
• Equipment costs must:
• be verified by the employer as being an essential requirement for all Australian Apprentices working in this area, and
• have evidence of expenditure, such as receipts, lodged by the correctional institution

Note: there is no upper limit to this allowance; however, Service Officers must be satisfied the claim includes only essential costs.

Does the applicant have any legitimate essential course or equipment costs?

• Yes, go to Step 13
• No, Lawful Custody Allowance is not payable. However, the customer will remain current (with no payment), in case the correctional institution lodges future essential course or equipment costs:
• Finalise the activity on the Assessment Results (AR) screen. Do not inhibit claim outcome advice for the customer/s
• Advise the correctional institution of the decision in a Q888 Lawful Custody Allowance - Reimbursed to correctional centre letter. See Creating a Q999 or Q888 letter
• Record details on the ABY LAW Granted/Rejected Fast Note
  Select Auto text, use Students, ABSTUDY & Apprentices > Claims - ABSTUDY > ABY LAW Granted/Rejected > Confirm
• Procedure ends here

Complete the following fields on the Supplementary Education Payments (EPSP) screen:

Note: if the correctional institution lodges a request for bulk reimbursement, Service Officers must code the following for each customer in the claim.

• Event Date - record the date the customer became eligible for Lawful Custody Allowance or the start date of the course
• Payment Type - key 'LAW'
• Reason - leave blank
• Amount Claimed - enter the amount of money the applicant has asked to have reimbursed
• Amount Paid - record the amount the applicant is going to have paid to them, (that is, the legitimate course or equipment costs)
• Payee - key 'TPT'. Note: still use 'TPT' in the rare cases where the correctional institution has arranged for payment to go to the customer (by advising in writing)
• Claim Details - record the claim number given by the correctional institution on the LAW RTO Form A
• Frequency - record details to show how often the customer's requested payment will occur. The payment for this allowance tends to be a one off

Arrange for the payment to go to the correctional institution (or other third party such as the education provider).

Go to the Payment Instruction Summary (PIPS) screen and complete the following fields:

• Add New Payee - key 'Y' for an individual such as the customer, or
• Link to Organisation - key 'Y' for a correctional institution or third party organisation

These fields will flow to the screens to code the third party details for the person or the organisation. If the payment is to go:

• to the correctional institution or supplier of textbooks, pay them in the form of a direct debit (using the account details on the claim form)
• to reimburse the customer as per a written directive by the correctional institution, complete the Payment Instructions Payee Details (PIPD) screen with their details
• directly to the education provider and that provider is on the institution register (accessed via the PIPS screen). Make the payment directly to the education provider

For more information about how to arrange payment for a third party, see Payments to third parties and institutions for ABSTUDY.

Finalise the activity on the Assessment Results (AR) screen (check the results are correct before finalising).

Do not inhibit claim outcome advice for the customer/s.

Advise the correctional institution of the decision and any payments issued in a Q888 Lawful Custody Allowance - Reimbursed to correctional centre letter. See Creating a Q999 or Q888 letter.

• Customer's record:
• Record details of the claim on the ABY LAW Granted/Rejected Fast Note
  Select Auto text, use Students, ABSTUDY & Apprentices > Claims - ABSTUDY > ABY LAW Granted/Rejected > Confirm
• If the SY022 has already been assessed, annotate the existing Fast Note with details of payment
• Correctional institution's record:
• Record details of the payment on the ABY LAW Reimbursement Fast Note
  Select Auto text, use Students, ABSTUDY & Apprentices > Claims - ABSTUDY > ABY LAW Granted/Rejected Reimbursement > Confirm
• Expire any Fast Note > Progress of ABSTUDY claim Display on Access (DOA)
• Complete any scanned documents actioned as part of the claim

Procedure ends here.