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Austudy student or Australian Apprentice becomes incapacitated or impacted by unforeseen or extreme circumstances 102-07020110



This document outlines the effect on a customer's entitlement to Austudy if they are ill, injured or impacted by unforeseen or extreme circumstances and are unable to continue their study or Australian Apprenticeship, whether temporarily or permanently. It provides details of other payment options which may be available to these customers.

Students

To qualify for Austudy payments the student must be:

  • enrolled and, undertaking at least 75% of the normal amount of full-time study
  • approved for a 66% concessional study load, or approved for a 25% concessional study load, and
  • making satisfactory progress

If the student becomes incapacitated or impacted by unforeseen or extreme circumstances and are temporarily unable to study, they may continue to receive Austudy under the reasonable excuse provisions if they intend to return to study.

Students who are temporarily incapacitated and unable to undertake any future study are not able to continue to receive Austudy. They may qualify for another income support payment instead, for example JobSeeker Payment.

See Process page for more information.

Australian Apprentice

A temporarily incapacitated Australian Apprentice will be eligible to get Austudy if:

  • they unable to continue their Australian Apprenticeship, and
  • their Commonwealth registration number remains current

They are not eligible for Austudy if this number is:

  • suspended, or
  • cancelled

The Resources page contains examples about students unable to study full-time for health reasons.

Assessing eligibility for 25% concessional study load for Austudy

Eligibility for Austudy

Satisfying the activity test for Austudy

Payment of ABSTUDY when a student or Australian Apprentice becomes incapacitated

Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) student becomes incapacitated

Youth Allowance (YA) student or Australian Apprentice becomes incapacitated or impacted by unforeseen or extreme circumstances