Disregarding previous study for Youth Allowance (YA) 010-06070080

YA (Student) is not automatically paid for longer than the normal length of a course of study. The period for which it is paid can be affected by previous study (even if a person has not received YA for the previous study).

If a student wants to do more than one course at the same level, conditions may apply depending on whether the student has:

• completed a previous course
• withdrawn from a previous course, or
• failed their first and second course

To remain eligible for YA, a student must be making satisfactory progress in their current course.

Note: failure in a course is when a student is precluded by the institution from completing the course for any reason.

A student may start study but not complete it. Where a student withdraws from a program of study the educational provider must decide how to assess the incomplete study. A student who withdraws early in the program or without a valid reason will usually be regarded as having failed the program. On the other hand, a student who withdraws late with an acceptable reason will not usually incur an academic penalty.

If a student withdraws without academic penalty, then the educational provider:

• has determined that the student had a valid reason to do so
• regards the student as not having undertaken the study

Services Australia regards it in the same way, and this study is disregarded even though payments may have been made to the student.

Note: it is only the actual subjects from which the student withdrew without penalty that are disregarded, not the entire study period or study program.

Previous study is assessed to determine satisfactory progress and may be disregarded if the student has been affected by special circumstances beyond their control. Students who wish to have previous study disregarded due to special or exceptional circumstances will need to provide documentary evidence (as appropriate) to support their case. This applies to failed subjects or units, and it is a requirement to complete them to pass the course. See Resources for examples.

See Requesting information (CLK) to request evidence of the special circumstance.

Previous attempts at secondary level courses (except Year 12) does not affect a YA student being eligible for YA. Full-time secondary students can have many attempts at secondary level studies. For example, a student can repeat Year 11 as many times as they need and still satisfy the full-time study requirements for Youth Allowance. Study attempted previously is therefore disregarded. Restrictions on the assessment of satisfactory progress may apply for students who are attempting Year 12 for a third time.

Previous study in a completed course at the same level as the current course is not counted in relation to satisfactory progress for tertiary students. However, there are specific rules that apply to students undertaking a course following a failure in or withdrawal from a previous course at the same level.

If a student has:

• failed their first course and wants to undertake study in another course (the second course) of the same tertiary level, study from the first course is disregarded if the second course will be completed within the allowable time for that course. If the second course will not be completed within the allowable time the student will need to enter into an Activity Agreement unless the student failed the first course for reasons beyond their control
• failed to successfully complete their second course, study may only be disregarded if they failed due to reasons beyond their control
• withdrawn from their first or subsequent course at the same level, they will be required to enter into a Student Activity Agreement, unless there were exceptional circumstances beyond their control that caused them to withdraw. Where exceptional circumstances applied, the previous study can be disregarded
• withdrawn from their first course and wants to study a second course at the same level where the duration is less than 1 year, can be paid if the course will improve their employment prospects

The allowable time for a student whose previous course is disregarded, or who enters into a YA activity agreement, is the normal duration of the new course plus an additional study period.

Note: the second course cannot be the same course the customer was enrolled in. However, it can be the same degree at a different institution. This is because courses at specific institutions must be treated separately and not as the same course of study.

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