Returning to the parental home when in receipt of the Away from Home rate of ABSTUDY 102-03010130

The Away from Home (AFH) rate of ABSTUDY is a higher rate of payment available to students or Australian Apprentices who are required to live away from the parental home to:

• access full-time study, or
• undertake a full-time Australian Apprenticeship

Customers who are currently receiving the AFH rate may return to the parental home:

• temporarily, or
• permanently

If the customer returns temporarily, their reasons for doing so should be investigated to see if their rate of payment and/or entitlement to Rent Assistance (RA) should be reviewed.

From 1 January 2020, customers aged 16-19 years receiving a means tested ABSTUDY payment (such as Living Allowance and/or School Fees Allowance (Group 2)) can still be considered a Family Tax Benefit (FTB) child if they are:

• a full-time secondary student
• approved to live away from home to study, and
• boarding to attend secondary school

If it is a temporary return, to keep receiving the AFH rate, the customer must have:

• returned home to undertake a part of their course (for example, practical training) for up to one term/semester (depending on the structure of the course)
• returned home during a vacation period, (secondary students only)
• returned home during a vacation period and continue to maintain their secondary location residence (secondary non-schooling, tertiary students or Australian Apprentice), or
• returned home for a short visit (for example, a weekend visit)

If the customer has not returned for a valid reason, their eligibility for ABSTUDY and/or Rent Assistance (RA) may be affected.

Note: if a secondary boarding student returns home, to undertake part of their course, for longer than one term, they may continue to qualify for Away from Home entitlements under continuity of study provisions, provided they remain enrolled at the same education institution.

If the customer is entitled to continue to receive the AFH rate they must notify Services Australia within 14 days of any changes in their circumstances, including if they:

• cease their course or training
• cease their Australian Apprenticeship
• change their rent details, or
• return to their parental home permanently

During the COVID-19 pandemic which occurred in Australia from March 2020, some students were required to leave their on campus term accommodation. Many students also transitioned to online study as face-to-face teaching was unavailable.

Students who were receiving the Away from Home (AFH) rate, and temporarily transitioned to online learning as a result of COVID-19 remain eligible for the AFH rate. Tertiary students must return to face-to-face study as soon as it becomes available to continue to be eligible for the AFH rate.

Where a student had to move out of education provider accommodation (such as on campus) and are, or were temporarily staying with their parents, they will remain eligible for the AFH rate providing they:

• remain enrolled in their course of study, and
• intend to return to their campus accommodation as soon as the education provider allows them to return

This includes students who:

• had their accommodation arrangement cancelled by the education provider and have moved their belongings out of that accommodation
• were approved for Residential Cost Option (RCO)

Note: the AFH rate of ABSTUDY Living Allowance can be paid for any period that the education provider does not charge a residential fee, rather than the reduced rate of Living Allowance.

If the customer returns home permanently, they must continue to meet their obligations under the study requirements for ABSTUDY or as an Australian Apprentice their Commonwealth registration number must remain current in relation to their Australian Apprenticeship for ongoing entitlement to ABSTUDY. Their rate of payment and their entitlement to Rent Assistance (RA) will be reviewed. Where applicable the customer's independent status will also be reviewed.

If a parent/guardian has been receiving FTB for the customer:

• FTB will cease to be paid for the customer if they are receiving ABSTUDY at home rate
• FTB may still be payable for the customer if they are continuing in full-time secondary study and they are no longer receiving ABSTUDY

A secondary boarding student, who is in receipt of the Away from Home rate of ABSTUDY, may have an arrangement where they do not live on campus 100% of the time. They may reside at their permanent home for a few days each week. Away from home entitlements can continue to be paid as long as the student boards for a minimum of 4 days per week.

A customer who is approved for independent status is not in receipt of the 'Away from Home' rate of payment, but instead receives a higher rate of allowance that is determined by whether they live in, or away from the parental home. An independent customer who returns to the parental home will require a review of independence for ABSTUDY.