Isolation conditions for Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) 010-03030040

Students may be entitled to AIC if the principal family home is geographically isolated from the nearest appropriate state school.

Check the travel time and access between the principal family home and the education institution for the student.

See the Resources page for external maps to assist in locating Lot/Plan locations and Stations/Homesteads.

Is the student claiming isolation because of geographical isolation?

• Yes, if the student is claiming:
• for a future change in circumstances, go to Step 11
• due to the distance to school, go to Step 5
• due to reasonable access, go to Step 8
• No, go to Step 2

Students may be entitled to AIC if they have:

• a disability or other health-related condition, or
• a special education need that requires a special school program, special facilities and/or a special environment

Is the student claiming isolation because of special needs?

• Yes, if the student:
• is claiming for a future change in circumstances, go to Step 11
• otherwise, see Table 2
• No, go to Step 3

Students may be entitled to AIC if the student's parent(s) work/livelihood requires frequent moves. This may include:

• the parent's occupation requires that parent to work on site
• the work necessitates the relocation of the family
• that parent relocates at least five times a year for work purposes

Is the student claiming isolation because of itinerant family?

• Yes, if the student:
• is claiming for a future change in circumstances, go to Step 11
• otherwise, go to Step 9
• No, go to Step 4

A student may be considered isolated if they live in an approved second family home with a sibling who:

• meets an isolation condition, or
• has a special need and qualifies for the Second Home Allowance (SHA) (this includes pending claims)

This also applies if the sibling is:

• a secondary student aged 16 years or over, or a tertiary student under the minimum age at which the state or territory requires them to participate in education, or
• studying at tertiary level instead of secondary school, or
• meeting an isolation condition, or
• is receiving Youth Allowance (YA) or ABSTUDY at the 'standard rate' or the 'Away from Home rate' if a parent is not living in the second family home

and

• was eligible for an AIC allowance (in the current or a previous year) immediately before transferring to Youth Allowance (YA) or ABSTUDY, or
• has a special need

Is the student claiming isolation under second family home?

• Yes, go to Step 10
• No, the student does not meet an isolation criterion. Procedure ends here

When assessing a student's eligibility for AIC under a geographical isolation rule, some further evidence may be required.

Determine the distance from the student's principal family home to the nearest appropriate state school.

If required, check these details on the:

• Claim for Assistance for Isolated Children (SY040) form, or
• Marginal Distance (SY069) form

The Resources page contains verification requirements for this rule.

Can the distance from the student's principal family home to the nearest appropriate state school be calculated with the supplied information?

• Yes, go to Step 6
• No, request an SY069 form from the applicant, see Requesting information (CLK). Procedure ends here until the requested documentation is provided

If there is a transport service to the school, or one could be made available if requested, the shortest practical route is the distance from the:

• home to the nearest available transport service, plus
• transport service to the school by the route used by the service or connecting services

When morning and afternoon transport services differ in length, the average of the 2 is considered the shortest practical route.

Decide if the principal family home is geographically isolated from the nearest appropriate state school.

• The principal family home needs to be at least 56 km from the home to the nearest appropriate state school, or
• The AIC Marginal Distance Confirmation (SY069) form needs to show the home is geographically isolated by the shortest practical route

Does the principal home meet these criteria?

• Yes, the student is geographically isolated under Rule 1, see Table 3
• No, go to Step 7

The principal family home must be at least:

• 16 km from the home to the nearest appropriate state school, and
• 4.5 km distance from the home to transport (or no public/school transport is available)

Does the principal home meet these criteria?

• Yes, the student is geographically isolated under Rule 2, see Table 3 > Step 2
• No, the student is not geographically isolated under distance to school rules, see Table 3 > Step 2

If adverse travel conditions due to weather events or other circumstances beyond the family's control prevent the student from attending the appropriate state school for at least 20 school days a year, the student may be isolated under Geographic Isolation Rule 3.

A student does not have reasonable access to an appropriate state school if, for at least 20 school days in a year:

• they cannot get to school, or
• the travel time for the return journey is at least three hours, or
• the route the student must travel equals or exceeds the distances in either Rule 1 or Rule 2

The applicant needs to supply evidence to support this claim. See the Resources page for verification requirements.

Select the appropriate option below.

Impassable roads evidence must show that the road was impassable for at least 20 school days.

Evidence needs to show for at least 20 school days:

• the road was impassable, or
• return travel time for the journey exceeds 3 hours

Has the applicant supplied relevant evidence?

• Yes, the student is geographically isolated under Rule 3, see Table 3 > Step 3
• No, the student is not geographically isolated under Rule 3, see Table 3 > Step 3

Evidence needs to show other circumstances beyond the family's control that prevent the student from attending the appropriate state school for at least 20 school days a year.

For example, circumstances could include a parent's illness preventing transport of the student.

Has the applicant supplied relevant evidence?

• Yes, the student is geographically isolated under Rule 3, see Table 3 > Step 4
• No, the student is not geographically isolated under Rule 3, see Table 3 > Step 4

The applicant has applied because the work/livelihood of a parent of the student needs frequent moves.

Evidence provided must confirm all the following:

• parent travel is a necessary part of earning their livelihood and not merely a preference
• the parent's occupation requires them to work on site rather than at a fixed location
• the parent needs to relocate at least 5 times a year for work purposes, including within the same property or station
• the parent's work means that the family and most of their belongings move each time they move (belongings may be placed in storage)
• due to these moves the student would miss at least 20 consecutive school days during each move or a cumulative total of at least 100 school days in a year

Note: when calculating missed school days, use the state/territory academic calendar of the nearest appropriate state school to the principal family home.

The Resources page contains verification requirements for details of evidence needed.

Does the evidence supplied meet the above criteria?

• Yes, the student is geographically isolated, see Table 3 > Step 5
• No, the student is not geographically isolated, see Table 3 > Step 5

A student may qualify for Second Home Allowance (SHA) if they live in an approved second family home with a sibling who:

• meets an isolation condition or has a special need identified, and
• qualifies for the Second Home Allowance (SHA)

This also applies to a student with a sibling who gets Youth Allowance (YA) or ABSTUDY Living Allowance, and

• was eligible for AIC immediately before transferring to YA or ABSTUDY
• meets an isolation condition (under any isolation condition except 'student and sibling live in a second family home'), or
• has a special need

To check if the sibling currently qualifies for AIC:

• find the applicant record
• check the Links Summary (LS) screen for a sibling with a Link Type of EIC
• select the EIC sibling and go to the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen

Does the student live in a second family home with an eligible sibling?

• Yes, the student is geographically isolated, see Table 3 > Step 6
• No, and the:
• sibling's claim is awaiting processing, go to Step 13
• student does not meet the above criteria. The student is not geographically isolated, see Table 3 > Step 6

When a student currently does not meet an isolation criterion but expects a change of circumstances that will make them eligible in the future, staff must take the required steps to make sure the updates are recorded when the change occurs.

Note: an applicant cannot be paid AIC until the proposed isolation condition is met. When reviewing a claim after the due date of the advised change, confirmation with the applicant is required before assessing the claim.

Has the applicant advised that they expect a change in the family's circumstances that would make the student eligible for AIC in the future?

• Yes, the AIC claim cannot be assessed until the change has occurred, go to Step 12
• No, the student does not meet this isolation criteria. Confirm if the student meets another isolation criteria

In Customer First, create a manual review on the Review Registration (RVR) screen and complete the fields as follows:

• Service Reason: key EIA
• Review Reason: key REV (Manual Review)
• Due Date: the date the applicant has indicated that the family will become isolated
• Source: key INT
• Date of Receipt: today's date
• Notes: 'Check with applicant that family has become isolated. Return to OB 010-03030040 for action.'
• Keywords: key REVAIC
• Workgroup: leave blank
• Position: leave blank
• Transfer to Region: key LPT

The review will mature on the Due Date recorded in the RVR activity. Workload Management will allocate the review for manual action.

Send a Q760 AIC - Request for information - incomplete claim letter to the applicant to request evidence. See the Resources page for required evidence.

Procedure ends here.

If the student's isolation is being 'deemed' based on a sibling claim that is awaiting processing, attempt to complete that claim before assessing the current claim. Once the sibling's claim has been assessed, the current student's claim can be assessed correctly.

If the sibling's claim is awaiting documentation, place the current claim on hold until the due date of the requested information. Record details on a DOC on both records advising that the students claim can be assessed once the sibling's claim has been actioned.

Procedure ends here.

The applicant is applying under special needs as the student:

• has a disability
• has other health-related condition(s)
• has special education needs
• has been expelled from school, or
• is pregnant

The applicant will need to supply evidence of special needs unless the student is:

• enrolled at a special school, or
• living in a special institution

The special school/institution must meet geographical isolation rules.

Note: if the student normally attends a special school near the principal family home and requires access to additional specialist assistance, evidence must be provided to demonstrate that the special school is not an appropriate school for that assistance.

Is the student enrolled at a special school or living in a special institution that meets the criteria above?

• Yes, the student meets isolation eligibility criteria, see Table 4
• No, the applicant will need to supply evidence, go to Step 2

The medical practitioner/specialist/allied health professional needs to complete the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Medical Statement - Student Special Needs (SY099) form when applying under special needs.

Note: when assessing a claim under special needs and the applicant has not provided an SY099 form, go to Step 9.

The Resources page contains details of verification requirements.

If the student needs to:

• study from home, go to Step 3
• access a special facility or a special environment, go to Step 4
• be removed from a local school environment, including expulsion, go to Step 5

If the applicant is applying under:

• student needs testing or support for a learning disability, go to Step 6
• student needs learning support, go to Step 7
• student would suffer serious educational disadvantage at local school, go to Step 8

The Resources page contains details of verification requirements.

Does the medical evidence and SY099 form support the claim that the student needs to study from home, including pregnancy?

• Yes, the student meets isolation eligibility criteria, see Table 4 > Step 2
• No, go to Step 9

This includes:

• a special centre which caters for the student's condition
• special education or facilities within a state school
• a controlled environment and close supervision within a facility or special environment
• an environment that provides the student with:
• relief from a condition associated with the climate in the vicinity of the principal family home
• the ability to avoid the ill effects of lengthy daily travel; or
• the ability to obtain essential and extensive medical treatment

The Resources page contains details of verification requirements.

Does the advice on the SY099 support the claim that the student needs access to a special facility or a special environment?

• Yes, the student meets isolation eligibility criteria, see Table 4 > Step 3
• No, go to Step 9

The Resources page contains details of verification requirements.

If the claim is due to a disability, other health-related condition(s) or expulsion, check the advice on the SY099 to see if it supports the claim that the student needs to be removed from a local school environment or has been expelled from school.

Has the student been removed from a local school environment or been expelled?

• Yes, see Table 4 > Step 4
• No, go to Step 9

The Resources page contains details of verification requirements.

Check if an appropriate approval letter has been received from the relevant state or territory government education authority with confirmation of the testing being provided from the educational provider.

Has an appropriate approval letter with confirmation been provided?

• Yes, the student meets isolation eligibility criteria, see Table 4 > Step 5
• No, go to Step 9

The Resources page contains details of verification requirements.

Check if an appropriate letter has been received from the regional office of the state or territory government education authority (or approved specialist assessment service) confirming the learning support being provided from the educational provider.

Has an appropriate approval letter with confirmation been provided?

• Yes, the student meets isolation eligibility criteria, see Table 4 > Step 5
• No, go to Step 9

The Resources page contains details of verification requirements.

Check if an appropriate letter has been received from the delegate of the chief executive of the state or territory government education authority.

Has an appropriate letter been provided?

• Yes, the student meets isolation eligibility criteria, see Table 4 > Step 6
• No, go to Step 9

The applicant is not eligible as:

• the student does not meet the criteria, or
• evidence supplied does not verify the claim

Consider whether the student meets another isolation condition listed in Table 1, otherwise, key the following on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:

• Event Date: see Determining the Entitlement Start date for the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC)
• Nearest Approp Govt School: use the school code of the school the student is attending
• Distance from Home to the Nearest Approp Govt School: key 9.9
• Public transport available: key N
• Disability/health cond: key Y
• Special Needs Reason: key NSN (No Special Needs)

Go to Step 10.

When a student does not meet the criteria for isolation under Special Needs, a manual rejection is required.

Go to the Benefits Action (BA) screen by keying BA in the Nxt field and press [Enter]

Update the following fields:

• Service Reason: key EIS (Education Institution Summary)
• Action: key REJ
• Reason: key NSN (No Special Needs)
• Effect Date: the date will default to the date of claim lodgement
• Notes: add any additional comments

Continue processing the claim.

Update the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:

• Event Date: see Determining the Entitlement Start date for the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC)
• Nearest Approp Govt School: use the school code of the nearest appropriate government school
• Distance from Home to Nearest Approp Govt School: key the actual distance by the shortest practical route
  Note: if the home is verifiable in Google Maps as being over 100 kms to the nearest appropriate government school and the actual distance cannot be determined (for example, the student resides on a station and the location of the home on the property is unknown), key 100
• Distance from Home to School Attended: key 99

Procedure ends here.

Update the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:

• Event Date: see Determining the Entitlement Start date for the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC)
• Nearest Approp Govt School: use the school code of the nearest appropriate government school
• Distance from Home to the Nearest Approp Govt School: key the actual distance by the shortest practical route
• Distance from Home to School Attended: if the student:
• is geographically isolated, key 99
• is not geographically isolated, key the actual distance by the shortest practical route (if transport available)
• Distance to Transport: key the actual distance by the shortest practical route (if transport available)
• Distance travelled via t'port: key the actual distance by the shortest practical route (if transport available)
• Public t'port available: key Y/N

Note: before finalising any rejection of an isolation condition, confirm the student does not meet one of the other criteria listed in Table 1.

Procedure ends here.

Update the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:

• Event Date: see Determining the Entitlement Start date for the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC)
• Nearest Approp Govt School: use the school code of the nearest appropriate government school
• Distance from Home to the Nearest Approp Govt School: if the student:
• is eligible under Rule 3, leave blank
• is not eligible under Rule 3, key the actual distance by the shortest practical route
• Days Per Year Isolated: if the student:
• is eligible under Rule 3, key 20
• is not eligible under Rule 3, key the actual number of days (no more than 20)
• Other Reason Isolated: if the student:
• is eligible under Rule 3, key IMP (Impassable Roads) or TIM (Travel Time > 3 hours)
• is not eligible under Rule 3, key NAP (Not Approved)

Note: before finalising any rejection of an isolation condition, confirm the student does not meet one of the other criteria listed in Table 1.

Procedure ends here.

Update the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:

• Event Date: see Determining the Entitlement Start date for the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC)
• Nearest Approp Govt School: use the school code of the nearest appropriate government school
• Other Reason Isolated: if the student:
• is eligible under Rule 3, key UNU (Unusual Circumstances)
• is not eligible under Rule 3, key NAP (Not Approved)
• Days Per Year Isolated: if the student:
• is eligible under Rule 3, key 20
• is not eligible under Rule 3, key the actual number of days (no more than 20)

Note: before finalising any rejection of an isolation condition, confirm the student does not meet one of the other criteria listed in Table 1.

Procedure ends here.

Update the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:

• Event Date: see Determining the Entitlement Start date for the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC)
• Nearest Approp Govt School: use the school code of the nearest appropriate government school
• Deemed Isolation: if the student:
• is eligible, key ITN (Parents Move/Absent Frequently)
• is not eligible, key NIT (Not Itinerant)

Note: before finalising any rejection of an isolation condition, confirm the student does not meet one of the other criteria listed in Table 1.

Procedure ends here.

Update the following on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:

• Event Date: see Determining the Entitlement Start date for the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC)
• Nearest Approp Govt School: use the school code of the nearest appropriate government school
• Deemed Isolation: if the student:
• is eligible, key:
  - SHS (Lives in SH with an SHA sibling), or
  - SHB if the sibling is now on YA/ABSTUDY(ABY), and was either qualified for AIC in the current or previous year, or currently has a special need
• is not eligible, key NSQ (SH sibling not qualified)

Note: before finalising any rejection of an isolation condition, confirm the student does not meet one of the other criteria listed in Table 1.

Procedure ends here.

Update the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:

• Event Date: see Determining the Entitlement Start date for the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC)
• Nearest Approp Govt School: use the school code of the school the student is attending
• Distance from Home to the Nearest Approp Govt School: (to the special school/institution in this case)
• Distance from Home to School Attended: (to the special school/institution in this case)
• Disability/health cond: key Y
• Special Needs Reason: key SPS (if attending a special school), or
• Deemed Isolation: key DIN (if living in a special institution)

Note: before finalising any rejection of an isolation condition, confirm the student does not meet one of the other criteria listed in Table 1.

Procedure ends here.

Update the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:

• Event Date: see Determining the Entitlement Start date for the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC)
• Nearest Approp Govt School: use the school code of the school the student is attending
• Distance from Home to the Nearest Approp Govt School: key 99
• Distance from Home to School Attended: key 99
• Disability/health cond: key Y
• Special Needs Reason: key:
• SPH, if the student's health condition is not long term or permanent, including pregnancy, or
• SPT, if the student's health condition is long term or permanent

Note: if a temporary condition lasts more than one year, code it as 'permanent' in the current year. Then, code a second event date for the year before new evidence is needed and code it as 'temporary'.

For example, a SY099 supplied in 2023 advises the condition is temporary, however, it is to be reviewed in 24 months:

• DOV: 2023, Special Needs Reason: SPT
• DOV: 2024, Special Needs Reason: SPH (End of Year Review (EOY) for 2025 will request new evidence)

Before finalising any rejection of an isolation condition, confirm the student does not meet one of the other criteria listed in Table 1.

Procedure ends here.

Update the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:

• Event Date: see Determining the Entitlement Start date for the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC)
• Nearest Approp Govt School: use the school code of the school the student is attending
• Distance from Home to the Nearest Approp Govt School: (this will be the distance from home to the school that offers the special facilities or environment)
• Distance from Home to School Attended: (this will be the distance from home to the school that offers the special facilities or environment)
• Disability/health cond: key Y
• Special Needs Reason: key:
• SPF, if the student's health condition is not long term or permanent, or
• SPT, if the student's health condition is long term or permanent

Note: if a temporary condition lasts more than one year, code it as 'permanent' in the current year. Then, code a second event date for the year before new evidence is needed and code it as 'temporary'.

For example, a SY099 supplied in 2023 advises the condition is temporary, however, it is to be reviewed in 24 months:

• DOV: 2023, Special Needs Reason: SPT
• DOV: 2024, Special Needs Reason: SPF (End of Year Review (EOY) for 2025 will request new evidence)

Before finalising any rejection of an isolation condition, confirm the student does not meet one of the other criteria listed in Table 1.

Procedure ends here.

Update the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:

• Event Date: see Determining the Entitlement Start date for the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC)
• Nearest Approp Govt School: use the school code of the school the student is attending
• Distance from Home to the Nearest Approp Govt School: key 99
• Distance from Home to School Attended: key 99
• Disability/health cond: key Y
• Special Needs Reason: key:
• SPL, if the student's health condition is not long term or permanent, or
• SPT, if the student's health condition is long term or permanent

Note: if a temporary condition lasts more than one year, code it as 'permanent' in the current year. Then, code a second event date for the year before new evidence is needed and code it as 'temporary'.

For example, a SY099 supplied in 2023 advises the condition is temporary, however it is to be reviewed in 24 months:

• DOV: 2023, Special Needs Reason: SPT
• DOV: 2024, Special Needs Reason: SPL (End of Year Review (EOY) for 2025 will request new evidence)

Before finalising any rejection of an isolation condition, confirm the student does not meet one of the other criteria listed in Table 1.

Procedure ends here.

Update the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:

• Event Date: see Determining the Entitlement Start date for the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC)
• Nearest Approp Govt School: use the school code of the school the student is attending
• Distance from Home to the Nearest Approp Govt School: (this will be the distance from home to the school that offers the testing or support)
• Distance from Home to School Attended: (this will be the distance from home to the school that offers the testing or support)
• Disability/health cond: key Y
• Special Needs Reason: key SPR (Testing/Remediation)

Note: before finalising any rejection of an isolation condition, confirm the student does not meet one of the other criteria listed in Table 1.

Procedure ends here.

Update the following fields on the EIC Isolation Details (EIID) screen:

• Event Date: this is the date the letter supplied by the relevant education authority was signed
• Nearest Approp Govt School: use the institution code of the school the student is attending
• Distance from Home to the Nearest Approp Govt School: key 99
• Distance from Home to School Attended: key 99
• Disability/health cond: key Y
• Special Needs Reason: key SED (Serious Education Disadvantage)

Note: before finalising any rejection of an isolation condition, confirm the student does not meet one of the other criteria listed in Table 1.

Procedure ends here.