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You are here: ABSTUDY > 1
Introduction to ABSTUDY > 1.3 What is ABSTUDY?
This chapter provides an overview of the objectives of ABSTUDY and the types of assistance available.
The Aboriginal Study Grants Scheme (ABSTUDY), the precursor to the current ABSTUDY scheme, was introduced in 1969 as part of the Commonwealth Government's commitment to implement special measures to assist Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to achieve their educational, social and economic objectives through financial assistance to study.
ABSTUDY became available to Indigenous students in tertiary studies from the beginning of the 1969 academic year in response to the lack of participation of Indigenous peoples in higher education. Eligible full-time students received a Living Allowance, with higher rates applying to married students and where there were dependent children. Compulsory course fees were also paid, as well as a book and equipment allowance. Travel costs were paid for students who needed to study away from home.
Initially, the Commonwealth government clearly identified that primary and secondary education was the responsibility of the States and Territories. However, it became evident during 1969 that many Indigenous students were not eligible for entry to tertiary education, and hence for ABSTUDY assistance, because of the gap between the cessation of compulsory schooling and normal commencement of post-secondary education. Because of the low numbers of Indigenous students staying at school past the compulsory period, the scheme was extended during 1969 to mature age secondary students to enable them to advance to matriculation studies and to gain entry into a tertiary course.
To promote the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in secondary education so that they were able to continue on to tertiary studies, the Aboriginal Secondary Grants Scheme (ABSEG) was introduced at the beginning of 1970. In 1973, ABSEG was extended by Government decision to include all Indigenous students attending secondary school. This decision recognised that these Indigenous students needed additional assistance and encouragement prior to leaving school to realise their educational potential, as it was evident that many did not undertake senior secondary studies.
Further developments were mainly in the post-secondary area with extension of entitlements to Indigenous students undertaking short courses, assistance with tutoring and eligibility for students undertaking studies by correspondence.
It became apparent that many Indigenous students wishing to undertake post-secondary courses often lacked the necessary educational preparation to undertake post-secondary studies in formal institutions. Family commitments also prevented many others from leaving isolated communities to pursue studies. The schemes were therefore broadened to provide a wider range of opportunities, both in education institutions and through specially arranged courses provided for groups of Indigenous students.
In 1975 and 1976, ABSTUDY was extended to enable special courses to be established for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in remote areas who did not have access to the usual range of education and training opportunities. Where local experts were not available to run these courses, specialist instructors were brought in to the local communities.
In 1988, the two schemes were amalgamated into the current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Study Assistance Scheme (ABSTUDY) which has two components, ABSTUDY Tertiary and ABSTUDY Schooling. A major revamp of the ABSTUDY scheme was undertaken in 1989 and 1990 following the introduction of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy (AEP).
In December 1998, the Government announced changes to ABSTUDY to take effect from 1 January 2000, which intended to help target ABSTUDY benefits to those students most in need of assistance, and to address particular educational disadvantages faced by these Indigenous students. The decisions reflect many of the concerns raised by the Indigenous community that the additional benefits available under YA were not available under ABSTUDY and that ABSTUDY be retained as a separate scheme.
The changes have brought ABSTUDY Living Allowance payments in alignment with those payable under YA for 16-20 year old students. Indigenous students aged 21 years and over became eligible for the Newstart rate which is a higher rate of payment than students in receipt of the YA or Austudy payment. Students over 21 years of age became subject to a more generous partner income test than is applied for Newstart recipients. The Pensioner Education Supplement is aligned with that payable under the Social Security Act 1991.
In addition, the alignment with YA meant that for the first time, all eligible Indigenous students would have access to the additional benefits, payable under the YA, of Rent Assistance, Remote Area Allowance and Pharmaceutical Allowance, where applicable. ABSTUDY recipients would also remain eligible for a range of supplementary benefits targeted to address particular disadvantages faced by Indigenous students not available to recipients under the YA or the new Austudy payment.
ABSTUDY represents a major component of the Government's commitment to Indigenous Education to:
The main objectives of the ABSTUDY policy are to:
ABSTUDY is supported in its aims and objectives by the following National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy (AEP) programmes which are administered by the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA):
The Indigenous Education Direct Assistance (IEDA) programmes are;
The Aboriginal Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ATAS) is targeted at students requiring supplementary tutorial assistance. Indigenous students who are assessed as requiring additional assistance with their studies may receive assistance from a tutor, either individually or in a small group. Apart from the provision of tutors, ATAS funds may also be provided to Homework Centres where Indigenous school students can complete homework and study assignments.
The Aboriginal Student Support and Parental Awareness (ASSPA) programme provides funding to school-based parent committees with the aim of increasing the participation of parents in educational decision-making and enhancing educational opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school students.
The Vocational Education Guidance Assistance Scheme (VEGAS) provides grants to sponsoring organisations to conduct projects for Indigenous students, their parents and prisoners in lawful custody which foster positive attitudes towards participation in education, and which provide information to assist students to consider their options for further study and career.
Further information on the IEDA programmes is available from DETYA Indigenous Education Units (IEUs).
Indigenous Education Strategic Initiatives Programme (IESIP) is the main source of supplementary assistance to government and non-government education providers to ensure Indigenous students achieve success in education. The primary objective for IESIP over the 2001-2004 quadrenium is to achieve performances targets aimed at improving Indigenous education outcomes.
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