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

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Circumstances when previous study can be disregarded

This table contains examples that include the documentary evidence required. Clearly document any decision to disregard previous study or to assess allowable time based on study load.

Item

Description

1

The person is, or has been, disabled by an illness or other medical condition

The customer should provide evidence relating to how the disability or illness affected their ability to complete the course.

Evidence may include medical reports, statements from treating medical practitioners, or other evidence provided by practitioners involved in the person's treatment and/or rehabilitation.

2

The person has suffered family trauma

The customer should provide a written statement outlining the nature of the family trauma and the effect this trauma had on their ability to complete their course in the allowable time.

If possible, the customer should also provide any extra evidence to support their case/ This includes statements from family members, counsellors, police, or other service providers.

3

The person has experienced a natural disaster

The customer should provide a written statement regarding the natural disaster and how it affected their ability to complete their course in the allowable time.

Other suitable evidence may include specific information about the disaster/ This may be from insurance companies, emergency services or local councils.

4

The person must relocate, and this means repeating part of course or restarting a course (as required by the educational provider)

The customer should provide a written statement outlining the reasons for relocation and the impact this has had on their ability to complete their course.

The customer must also provide written evidence from their education institution outlining the impact the relocation has had on their course.

5

The person has caring responsibilities for another member of the person's family

The customer should provide a written statement outlining their caring responsibilities and provide other evidence such as medical reports, statement from family members, etc.

6

Exceptional circumstances affect the ability to complete a course in the standard minimum time

The customer should provide a written statement outlining the exceptional circumstances and the effect these circumstances have had on their ability to complete their course in allowable time.

The customer should also provide any relevant evidence that would satisfy the decision maker of the exceptional nature of the situation.

7

Failed subjects or units

The customer is studying a Bachelor of Science at 75% EFTSL and has completed 3.5 years of their 3-year degree. The customer contacts and requests an additional study period due to failing 3 units in their previous study period. This is due to being impacted by a natural disaster. As the customer’s ability to complete the course was affected by an extreme circumstance resulting in them failing units of study, the study period can be disregarded.

The customer is studying a Bachelor of Education at 75% EFTSL and has completed 3.5 years of their 3-year degree. The customer contacts and requests an additional study period due to being impacted by a natural disaster. Although impacted by an extreme circumstance, the customer was able to complete and pass their study and has now exceeded their allowable time. Therefore, that study period cannot be disregarded.

8

Satisfactory progress applied where subjects or units were passed

Satisfactory progress extensions can be applied where a subject or unit has been passed. Exceptional circumstances apply where the customer requires more time to complete their course. This can occur where:

  • to progress in the course, all units/subjects must be passed, If the customer has failed 1 subject, they are required to re-complete the whole unit (including the previously passed subjects)
  • units/subjects were passed, however a higher grade was required to progress, For example distinction
  • the course structure has changed making previously completed subjects/units no longer applicable to the degree. This could mean including new units and another study period or more to complete the course to obtain the degree

Further examples - exceptional circumstances

Below are examples of other exceptional circumstances that interfere with a person's ability to complete a course of education within the standard minimum duration.

  • illness or injury of a member of the student's immediate family
  • difficult home circumstances (for example, alcoholism, family and domestic violence or separation of parents)
  • homelessness
  • death of a close relative or friend
  • the student participated in significant cultural ceremonies (for example, initiation) in the case of those adhering to traditional Aboriginal cultural practices
  • the student discontinued the previous course because the institution ceased to offer the course
  • the student could not proceed in the previous course because of course quotas

These examples are not exhaustive. Consider whether the young person's circumstances might be beyond their control. See the References page for more information.

Suitable evidence will depend on the circumstances. Encourage customers to obtain and provide all available evidence to support their claim. When deciding to accept the exceptional circumstances, consider:

  • how likely it is that they affected the customer's ability and
  • if they can complete their course within the satisfactory progress and allowable time rules