Assessing satisfactory progress for tertiary students for Austudy 010-04050070

For Austudy purposes, undertaking qualifying study means that a student must be making satisfactory progress in their course. Progress of tertiary students is measured against the minimum amount of time it would normally take a student to complete a course either full-time or part-time (as appropriate). Study in courses at the same level are all measured against the same allowable time.

A tertiary student is making satisfactory progress if the amount of time spent in the course (together with the time spent in other courses at the same level) does not exceed the allowable time for that course.

A determination of the student's progress can be made:

• as of the day the student enrols (or re-enrols) in their course,
• when the student's enrolment changes, or
• on the first day of the next study period

If on this day, the total of the student's previous study (in the current course and other courses at the same level) is less than or equal to the time allowed for the current course, then the student is making satisfactory progress. Payment can continue until the student exceeds the allowable time for the course. If the student's previous study exceeds the allowable time for the course, then the student is not making satisfactory progress and is not qualified for Austudy.

There are limits placed on the amount of study a student may undertake at tertiary level and remain eligible for payment of Austudy. These limits apply regardless of whether or not the student received a payment or allowance for previous study. This limitation is called 'allowable time' and is related to the minimum (normal) time of the student's current course.

To work out the time length of study for a previous completed course, use the lesser of:

• the normal length of the course (that is, minimum time), or
• the time it took to complete the course

Note: the satisfactory progress rules in this procedure are for Austudy only and are significantly different from those for Youth Allowance (YA).

For the purpose of Austudy, all study (including any non-compulsory study periods) undertaken in the last 10 years must be included in an allowable time assessment. Where the date a course was completed falls within the last 10 years, but part of the course was undertaken more than 10 years ago, the entire duration of the course is included.

The 10 years is counted from the day the student enrols in their current course, not their current year of study. Once an allowable time assessment has been completed, it is not reassessed at a later date to allow previous study to 'drop off' and produce a different outcome regarding payability.

Where study loads for study periods are added together for the purpose of satisfying full-time study load requirements (aggregation), these periods are counted as full-time when assessing satisfactory progress. For example, student is part-time (0.250 EFTSL) in semester one and full-time (0.500 EFTSL) in semester two. Aggregation assessment is completed, and the customer is paid as a full-time student for both semesters. This equals 0.750 EFTSL, allowing the customer to meet the satisfactory progress rules as they have been undertaking an aggregated full time study load over the year.

Startup Year Courses are not subject to allowable time where the course is a stand-alone course. This is because students can only receive up to two STARTUP-HELP loans. The loan limitation replaces the need to conduct an allowable time assessment for these courses.

Due to COVID-19, students may request an extension of allowable time as they were temporarily unable to study or reduced their study load below full-time. In some situations, education providers supported students by displaying failures as withdrawals on transcripts to avoid academic penalty.

When assessing satisfactory progress, evidence may already exist on a student's record regarding the impact of COVID-19 on their study circumstances. Search the file for previous DOCs that include information about the customer being temporarily unable to study, or, having reduced their study load. If evidence exists for the corresponding period this may be sufficient to disregard the withdrawal.

COVID-19 impacts varied nationally, not all states or territories were impacted by shutdowns, or the durations varied. If no evidence exists or documentation on the student's record is insufficient to make a clear determination, ask the student to provide evidence.

When making an unfavourable decision, speak to the customer:

• explain the decision
• give them a chance to provide more information, and
• advise their review and appeal rights

Students claiming Austudy can now attach academic transcripts within the online claim and in some circumstances are required to do so to be able to lodge their claim. The Process page contains more information about conditions where students will have to provide academic transcripts and when Service Officers should request them. When making satisfactory progress assessments, Service Officers should review the Claim Overview in Process Direct before requesting academic transcripts. This is because the online claim collects information from students about their previous study and staff can use this information for the assessment.