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Assessing equivalent activity not available locally for Youth Allowance (YA) at the away from home rate 010-06040110

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This document outlines the away from home rate of Youth Allowance (YA) where an equivalent activity is not available locally. This criterion applies to dependent YA customers undertaking secondary study only.

Determining eligibility for the away from home rate of YA when equivalent activity not available locally

This table describes how to assess if an equivalent activity is not available locally, to determine eligibility for the away from home rate of YA.

Step

Action

1

Independent or dependent customer + Read more ...

If the YA customer is:

  • dependent, and:
  • independent, the customer does not require an approved reason to live away from home. Procedure ends here

2

Determine if an equivalent activity is available locally + Read more ...

The definition of 'available locally' is based on excessive travelling time. A daily journey is considered to take excessive time if it exceeds 90 minutes 1 way by public transport (including walking and waiting times). The customer may be required to provide proof of the duration of the journey. If travel time to the activity is not excessive then the activity is considered local.

A customer would be unable to study locally if:

  • an equivalent course is not available locally
  • a student's academic needs are not met by local education facilities, or
  • there is no local facility

In deciding if 2 courses are equivalent, the following must be taken into account:

  • course content
  • length of the course
  • level of the course, and
  • when it is offered

The customer is required to provide some form of proof that they are unable to study locally.

Is an equivalent activity available locally?

  • Yes, the customer is not eligible for the away from home rate under this criterion. Record details in a FastNote. Procedure ends here
  • No, go to Step 3

3

The customer may be paid the away from home rate of YA + Read more ...

The customer is eligible for the away from home rate under this criterion.

Code the Independent/Homeless/Away From Home Details (NIH) screen with the grant reason of 'AAL' (an equivalent activity not available locally). See Commencement, cessation and coding of the away from home rate for Youth Allowance (YA).