Residence requirements for Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme 010-03030030

To qualify for payment under the AIC Scheme, both the applicant and the student must meet residence requirements. This procedure explains these requirements and how they are verified.

The approved applicant and student must be either:

• an Australian citizen
• an Australian permanent resident or
• a New Zealand citizen permanently settled in Australia who has met the required residence (waiting) period. Note: a New Zealand citizen does not need to be a protected Special Category Visa (SCV) holder, as long as they meet the definition of permanently settled, and meet the New Zealand residence (waiting period) rules

If the applicant and/or student are not Australian citizens, evidence may need to be provided to confirm they are permanently settled in Australia.

The applicant must normally live in Australia, but may be absent temporarily (for work or holidays) and intend to return to Australia within two years. The principal family home must be in Australia and must continue to meet one of the geographical isolation rules (where applicable).

The student must normally be living in Australia during the period of study. Students may continue to be eligible for payment during temporary absences overseas, where the student is:

• participating in an international student exchange, or
• receiving Distance Education Allowance (DED), and
• continues to be enrolled in an Australian distance education provider, and
• continues to undertake full time studies, and
• the student is overseas for less than 12 months

See Eligibility for Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme Distance Education Allowance.

Applicants can continue receiving an AIC allowance for a student who is participating in an international student exchange if the student:

• remains enrolled at an Australian education provider and the overseas study is credited to their Australian studies
• is continuing to incur the costs in Australia for which the allowance is being paid (for example, boarding fees)
• continues to meet all other eligibility criteria

AIC is not payable for the period of overseas study if a student needs to repeat all, or part, of that study in Australia.