Age requirements for Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) 010-03030020

Check if the student:

• has reached the minimum primary school entry age for the state/territory they attend primary school in, and
• if registered for home schooling, has reached the minimum home schooling registration age for the state/territory they are enrolled in, see the Resources page in Eligibility for Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Distance Education Allowance (DED)

or

• has a disability or other health-related condition that requires them to live away from the family home and they are at least 3 years and 6 months old

Does the student meet one of the above criteria?

• Yes, go to Step 2
• No, the student is not eligible for AIC:
• Check other eligibility conditions for AIC and tell the applicant to contact again when the student meets the minimum age for AIC
• Procedure ends here

Is the student receiving Disability Support Pension (DSP) or Parenting Payment Single (PPS)?

• Yes, if the student is:
• undertaking secondary (or equivalent) or tertiary level studies, they may apply for Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) or ABSTUDY PES, or
• studying at primary (or equivalent ungraded) level until they turn 21 years of age, they may qualify for AIC PES
• procedure ends here
• No, if the student is:
• a primary of secondary student, go to Step 3
• a tertiary student, go to Step 7

Home schooling age rules impact eligibility for AIC. To determine if the student has reached the home schooling maximum age in the relevant state/territory, see the Resources page in Eligibility for Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Distance Education Allowance (DED).

Is the student registered for home schooling and has reached the maximum age for home schooling in the state/territory they are enrolled in?

• Yes, the student is not eligible for AIC and may apply for ABSTUDY or Youth Allowance (YA):
• If the student is in receipt of AIC DED, see Determining the entitlement end date for Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC)
• Check if the student meets ABSTUDY qualifications, or Youth Allowance (YA) qualifications
• Procedure ends here
• No, go to Step 4

Was the student aged 19 years or older on 1 January in the year of study?

• Yes, go to Step 5
• No, the student has not reached the maximum age for AIC and is eligible until the end of the year of study, if all other eligibility criteria is met. Procedure ends here

Has the student's progress been delayed by special circumstances (such as illness, English language difficulties, transfer from a different education system or periods of employment or training)?

• Yes, go to Step 6
• No, the student is no longer eligible for AIC and may apply for ABSTUDY or Youth Allowance (YA). Check if the student meets:
• ABSTUDY qualifications, or
• Youth Allowance (YA) qualifications
• Procedure ends here

Was the student aged 20 years or older on 1 January in the year of study?

• Yes, the student is no longer eligible for AIC and may apply for ABSTUDY or Youth Allowance (YA). Check if the student meets:
• ABSTUDY qualifications, or
• Youth Allowance (YA) qualifications
• Procedure ends here
• No, the student has not reached the maximum age for AIC. The student can receive AIC until they turn 20 years of age
• Check the other general eligibility conditions for AIC
• Procedure ends here

For tertiary students, the maximum age is the minimum school leaving age for the state/territory they are enrolled/registered in.

Tertiary students no longer eligible for AIC may apply for ABSTUDY or Youth Allowance (YA).

Check if the student meets:

• ABSTUDY qualifications, or
• Youth Allowance (YA) qualifications