ABSTUDY eligibility and requirements 010-02000000

Where an applicant is claiming on behalf of a primary or secondary school student, the student is considered to be the customer for the purposes of this procedure.

The customer must be:

• a student who is:
• enrolled in an approved course, or
• approved to undertake a Testing and Assessment activity, for either an approved course of study, or the Indigenous Youth Mobility Programme (IYMP) or
• an Australian Apprentice who has a current Commonwealth registration number in relation to a full-time Australian Apprenticeship
• Note: the Australian Apprentice does not need to provide proof of the Commonwealth registration number. Services Australia will obtain the Australian Apprenticeship details from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Does the customer meet one of the above criteria?

• Yes, go to Step 2
• No:
• Advise the customer they are not eligible for ABSTUDY
• Check customer's entitlement to other payments
• Procedure ends here

Check the customer meets the ABSTUDY definition of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Does the customer meet the ABSTUDY definition of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?

• Yes, go to Step 3
• No:
• Advise the customer they are not eligible for ABSTUDY
• Check customer's entitlement to other payments
• Procedure ends here

To qualify for ABSTUDY, the student or Australian Apprentice must be:

• an Australian citizen
  If the customer was born overseas, they may have to provide proof of Australian citizenship unless:
• AC or AP is recorded the Proof of Identify (POI) screen or POI Historical Details (POIH) screen
• the Residence Savings (RSS) screen has 'Y' in the Aust citizenship verification ind: field, or
• an Australian passport is on the Immigration Enquiry (RSIMME) screen and the channel is IMM or IMC, or
• Australian citizenship is on the Legal Residence Details (RSLEG) screen and the channel is IMM or IMC
• normally living in Australia, and
• studying or completing their Australian Apprenticeship in Australia or approved to study or complete their Australian Apprenticeship overseas

There is no specific lodgement requirement although it is assumed that the person would generally be in Australia.

Does the customer meet the residency requirements?

• Yes, go to Step 4
• No:
• Advise the customer they are not eligible for ABSTUDY
• Check customer's entitlement to other payments
• Procedure ends here

See Not qualified for ABSTUDY if receiving other Government assistance to study or as an Australian Apprentice (apprentice or trainee) for information about what is considered other Government assistance.

Note: the training wage paid to an Australian Apprentice is not considered other Government assistance.

Is the customer receiving other Government assistance to study or undertake the Australian Apprenticeship?

• Yes:
• Advise the customer they are not eligible for ABSTUDY
• Check customer's entitlement to other payments
• Procedure ends here
• No, the customer may be eligible for ABSTUDY. See Step 1 in Table 2

If the customer:

• is in lawful custody for more than 2 weeks, they may be eligible to receive Lawful Custody Award - See Table 12
• is required to undertake a testing and assessment activity to determine suitability for placement in the Indigenous Youth Mobility Programme (IYMP) or admission to certain courses, they may be entitled to Testing and Assessment Award - See Table 10

If none of the above, go to Step 2.

Is the customer a full-time Australian Apprentice with current registration?

• Yes, the customer may be entitled to Tertiary Award - See Table 8
• No, go to Step 3

Is the customer studying part time?

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

Is the customer studying:

• a post-secondary course (no minimum age requirement) or
• a secondary course and they were aged 18 years or older at 1 January in the year of study?

If:

• Yes, the applicant may be entitled to claim the Part-time Award - See Table 9
• No:
• Advise the customer they are not eligible for ABSTUDY
• Check customer's entitlement to other payments
• Procedure ends here

If the customer is studying a:

• Primary course, see Step 1 in Table 3
• Secondary course, see Step 1 in Table 4
• Post-secondary or Tertiary course, see Step 1 in Table 5

Is the student a full-time primary student and under 14 years of age?

• Yes, the student has not reached the minimum age for ABSTUDY assistance for a primary student. Advise the student to contact Centrelink again when they reach 14 years of age. Procedure ends here
• No, go to Step 2

Is the customer 16 year of age or older?

• Yes, the customer may be entitled to Schooling B Award - See Table 7
• No, go to Step 3

Is the customer 14 years of age or older at 1 January in the year of study and living at home?

• Yes, the customer may be entitled to Schooling A Award - See Table 6
• No, go to Step 4

Is the customer 15 years of age, and:

• in state care

or

• they had already completed the final year of primary school and moved away from home to undertake secondary schooling but instead needs to repeat the final year of primary school at another location that offers both primary and secondary schooling, and
• they meet one of the conditions for approval to live away from home (for more information, see Away from home rate for ABSTUDY), and do live away from home

or

• independent as a result of one of the following circumstances:
• they are an orphan
• they have, or have had, a ABSTUDY dependent child
• currently have the care or custody of another person's dependent child or student
• they have been in lawful custody for a cumulative period of 6 months or more
• they have undergone and completed a traditional initiation ceremony
• it is unreasonable for them to live at home (UTLAH)
• their parents cannot exercise their responsibilities because they are in prison, missing, or are mentally incapacitated or living in a nursing home

If:

• Yes, the customer may be entitled to Schooling B Award - See Table 7
• No:
• Advise the customer they are not eligible for ABSTUDY
• Check customer's entitlement to other payments
• Procedure ends here

Is the customer (of any age):

• undertaking non-school secondary studies
• meeting the ABSTUDY progress and duration of assistance rules; and has either:
• reached the minimum school leaving age as defined by the relevant State/Territory education authority
• provided evidence that they have been granted an exemption by the State/Territory education authority in order to attend a TAFE or other non-school institution

If:

• Yes, the customer may be entitled to claim the Schooling B Award - See Table 7
• Note: Family Tax Benefit (FTB) may be claimed by the primary carer of students aged 16-19. A check should be performed to identify if FTB may be a more beneficial payment for the claimant's family. See Identifying the most beneficial payment for trainees or Australian Apprentices
• No, go to Step 2

Is the customer 16 year of age or older?

• Yes, the customer may be entitled to Schooling B Award - See Table 7
• Note: Family Tax Benefit (FTB) may be claimed by the primary carer of students aged 16-19 where the customer is dependent and living at home while attending full-time secondary study. A check should be performed to identify if FTB may be a more beneficial payment for the claimant's family. See Identifying the most beneficial payment for trainees or Australian Apprentices
• No, go to Step 3

Is the customer 15 years of age or younger, and:

• living at home, or
• not claiming the living away from home or independent rates?

If:

• Yes, the customer may be entitled to Schooling A Award - See Table 6
• No, go to Step 4

Is the customer 15 years of age or under, and:

• they meet one of the conditions for approval to live away from home, and
• they do live away from home?

If:

• Yes, the customer may be entitled to Schooling B Award - See Table 7
• No, go to Step 5

Is the customer:

• 15 years of age or older, and
• in State Care, or
• independent as a result of one of the following circumstances:
• they are an orphan
• they have, or have had, a ABSTUDY dependent child
• currently have the care or custody of another person's dependent child or student
• they have been in lawful custody for a cumulative period of 6 months or more
• they have undergone and completed a traditional initiation ceremony
• it is unreasonable for them to live at home (UTLAH)
• their parents cannot exercise their responsibilities because they are in prison, missing, or are mentally incapacitated or living in a nursing home

If:

• Yes, the customer may be entitled to Schooling B Award - See Table 7
• No:
• Advise the customer they may not be eligible for ABSTUDY
• Tell the customer to apply for ABSTUDY even if there is doubt about their eligibility
• Check customer's entitlement to other payments
• See Claiming ABSTUDY
• Procedure ends here

Is the customer enrolled on a full-time or concessional study-load basis in an approved Masters degree or Doctorate (PhD) course?

• Yes, the customer may be entitled to Masters and Doctorate Award - See Table 11
• No, go to Step 2

Is the customer:

• studying on a full-time or concessional study load basis
• meeting the ABSTUDY progress and duration of assistance rules and has either:
• reached the minimum school leaving age as defined by the relevant State/Territory education authority
• provided evidence that they have been granted an exemption by the State/Territory education authority in order to attend a TAFE or other tertiary institution?

If:

• Yes, the customer may be entitled to Tertiary Award - See Table 8
• No:
• Advise the customer they may not be eligible for ABSTUDY
• Tell the customer to apply for ABSTUDY even if there is doubt about their eligibility
• Check customer's entitlement to other payments
• See Claiming ABSTUDY
• Procedure ends here

Advise the customer they may have met the eligibility criteria for ABSTUDY Schooling A Award.

Entitlements available under the ABSTUDY Schooling A are subject to the student or parent/guardian meeting specific qualifications relevant to the particular allowance available. Allowances (and their specific qualifications) under Schooling A Award are:

• School Term Allowance
• ABSTUDY School Fees Allowance (Group 1) or ABSTUDY School Fees Allowance (Group 2)
• Away from Base assistance (secondary study only)
• Fares Allowance (FAA) (secondary study only)

Note: some students on Schooling A Award can access School Fees Allowance Group 2 where they would have otherwise met a criterion for the away rate but for the presence of a local non-government school which the student attends, instead of boarding away from home.

Claiming ABSTUDY

• Advise the customer to lodge a claim for ABSTUDY
• Record details on a DOC

Procedure ends here.

Advise the customer they may have met the eligibility criteria for ABSTUDY Schooling B Award.

Entitlements available under the ABSTUDY Schooling B are subject to the student or parent/guardian meeting specific qualifications relevant to the particular allowance available. Allowances (and their specific qualifications) under Schooling B Award are:

• Living Allowance or Pensioner Education Supplement (PES)
• School Fees Allowance (secondary study only)
• Fares Allowance (FAA)
• Away from Base assistance (secondary or secondary non-school study only)
• Remote Area Allowance (RAA)
• Pharmaceutical Allowance (PhA)
• Additional Assistance
• Relocation Scholarship
• Incidentals Allowance (where the student is 18 years or over at 1 January in the year of study)
• Rent Assistance (RA)

Claiming ABSTUDY

• Advise the customer to lodge a claim for ABSTUDY
• Record details on a DOC

Procedure ends here.

Advise the customer they may have met the eligibility criteria for ABSTUDY Tertiary Award.

Entitlements available under the ABSTUDY Tertiary Award are subject to the student or parent/guardian meeting specific qualifications relevant to the particular allowance available. Allowances (and their specific qualifications) under Tertiary Award are:

For students

• Living Allowance or Pensioner Education Supplement (PES)
• Incidentals Allowance
• Additional Incidentals Allowance
• Fares Allowance (FAA)
• Rent Assistance
• Remote Area Allowance (RAA)
• Pharmaceutical Allowance (PhA)
• Away from Base assistance
• Additional Assistance
• Relocation Scholarship
• Energy Supplement
• Student Start-up Loan (SSL)

For Australian Apprentices:

• Living Allowance
• Incidentals Allowance
• Rent Assistance
• Remote Area Allowance (RAA)
• Pharmaceutical Allowance (PhA)
• Additional Assistance

Claiming ABSTUDY

• Advise the customer to lodge a claim for ABSTUDY
• Record details on a DOC

Procedure ends here.

• Yes, customer is not eligible for the ABSTUDY Part-time Award. However, Australian Apprentices whose income is too high to qualify for Living Allowance may still qualify for Incidentals Allowance under the Tertiary Award - See Table 8
• No, go to Step 2

Advise the customer they may have met the eligibility criteria for ABSTUDY Part-time Award.

Entitlements available under the ABSTUDY Part-time Award are subject to the student or parent/guardian meeting specific qualifications relevant to the particular allowance available. Allowances (and their specific qualifications) under Part-time Award are:

• Away from Base assistance
• Fares Allowance (FAA)
• Incidentals Allowance

Claiming ABSTUDY

• Advise the customer to lodge a claim for ABSTUDY
• Record details on a DOC

Procedure ends here.

Confirm the student is participating in a:

• testing and assessment activity to determine the participant's suitability for the Indigenous Youth Mobility Programme (IYMP) or
• secondary level enabling course at a university where it is an alternative entry to a mainstream higher education course and before being admitted or accepted, it is essential they undertake a preliminary assessment

Is the student participating in one of the above activities?

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

Student is seeking ABSTUDY assistance to attend a required assessment test or interview in the following circumstances:

• an approved tertiary course or a higher degree at the Masters or Doctorate level where a selection test, interview or audition is a compulsory requirement for entry to that course or it is essential to ascertain general suitability to undertake the course
• the institution needs to conduct a selection test/interview for the student because they are unable to assess the student's academic ability from previous study undertaken, and
• the student is required to travel more than 90 minutes by public transport from their normal place of residence to attend the selection test or interview

Note: the institution course handbook will detail the entry requirements for individual courses. If the handbook does not detail course entry requirements, a letter of confirmation from the institution that a testing and assessment program is an alternative entry option will be necessary.

Is the student seeking to enrol in one of the above courses and required to travel more than 90 minutes to attend?

• Yes, go to Step 3
• No, go to Step 4

Advise the customer they may have met the eligibility criteria for the ABSTUDY Testing and Assessment Award.

Entitlements available under the ABSTUDY Testing and Assessment Award are subject to the student or parent/guardian meeting specific qualifications relevant to the particular allowance available. Allowances (and their specific qualifications) under Testing and Assessment Award are:

• Fares Allowance (FAA)
• Away from Base assistance

Claiming ABSTUDY

• Advise the customer to lodge a claim for ABSTUDY
• Record details on a DOC

Procedure ends here.

• Advise the customer they have not met the eligibility criteria for the ABSTUDY Testing and Assessment Award
• Investigate eligibility for an alternative payment
• Record details in a DOC

While general advice based on information provided by the customer can be given over the phone, tell the customer to test their eligibility, particularly in cases of discretionary decisions.

See Claiming ABSTUDY.

Procedure ends here.

Advise the customer they may have met the eligibility criteria for the ABSTUDY Masters and Doctorate Award.

Entitlements available under the ABSTUDY Masters and Doctorate Award are subject to the customer or parent/guardian meeting specific qualifications relevant to the particular allowance available. Allowances (and their specific qualifications) under Masters and Doctorate Award are:

• Living Allowance or Pensioner Education Supplement (PES)
• Incidentals Allowance
• Additional Incidentals Allowance
• Thesis Allowance
• Assistance to pay Commonwealth Supported Places commitment (previously known as HECS), or compulsory course fees
• Relocation Allowance or Fares Allowance (FAA)
• Away from Base assistance
• Additional Assistance
• Relocation Scholarship
• Student Start-up Loan (SSL)
• Energy Supplement

Claiming ABSTUDY

• Advise the customer to lodge a claim for ABSTUDY
• Record details on a DOC

Procedure ends here.

Do the correctional institution authorities agree to the customer receiving the assistance?

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

Advise the customer they may have met the eligibility criteria for ABSTUDY Lawful Custody Award.

Entitlements available under the ABSTUDY Lawful Custody Award are subject to the student or parent/guardian meeting specific qualifications relevant to the particular allowance available. Allowances (and their specific qualifications) under Lawful Custody Award are:

• Lawful Custody Allowance, and/or
• Away from Base assistance (where permission has been given by correctional institution for the customer to attend)
• Fares Allowance (FAA)

An Australian Apprentice approved for the Lawful Custody Award may be entitled to Lawful Custody Allowance only. Away from Base assistance is not available to Australian Apprentices.

Note: an Australian Apprentice's Commonwealth registration number must remain current while in lawful custody. If the number is suspended there is no entitlement to ABSTUDY as an Australian Apprentice.

Claiming ABSTUDY

• Advise the customer to lodge a claim for ABSTUDY
• Record details on a DOC

Procedure ends here.

• Advise the customer they have not met the eligibility criteria for ABSTUDY Lawful Custody Award
• Record details on a DOC

While general advice based on information provided by the customer can be given over the phone, tell the customer to test their eligibility, particularly in cases of discretionary decisions.

See Claiming ABSTUDY.