Home Sectors DEST information Minister's website News & media Calendar & dates About this site  Site Map | A-Z Index

You are here: ABSTUDY > 2 How to Apply for ABSTUDY > 2.2 Changed Circumstances

2.2 Changed Circumstances

• 2.2.1 Advice of Changes
• 2.2.2 Examples
• 2.2.3 False or Misleading Information

2.2.1 Advice of Changes

It is important that applicants are made aware of their obligation to advise Centrelink of any changed circumstances that will affect their eligibility or entitlement. The Declaration section of ABSTUDY Claim Forms makes it clear that Centrelink must be notified within fourteen days of any changes in circumstances.

2.2.2 Examples

Some examples of changed circumstances which may affect eligibility or entitlement are:

• a non-student applicant ceases to be responsible for the student;
• the student or applicant changes address or bank account;
• the applicant or applicant's partner ceases to receive a Commonwealth Government pension or benefit, a Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS) DSS Family Payment or a Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) scheme wage;
• where the dependent student deduction has been applied, if a dependent child/student of the student or of the parent/guardian ceases full-time study;
• a dependent child of the student or parent/guardian commences full-time study and becomes eligible for Commonwealth Student Assistance;
• the student discontinues school/study or has a prolonged absence from the school/course;
• the student changes education institution or course;
• the student reduces the number of subjects or units being studied;
• the student receives another form of government assistance to study;
• the student’s income increases substantially.

2.2.3 False or Misleading Information

People who give false or misleading information in connection with a an claim for ABSTUDY can, under the provisions of the Student Assistance Act 1973, incur penalties of up to a $6,000 fine or twelve months imprisonment.

About Us  |  Careers  |  Education  |  Higher Education  |  Indigenous  |  International 
New Apprenticeships  |  Research  |  Schools  |  Science  |  Training

contact details  |  publications  |  search  |  site map  | subscribe

Any comments or queries should be sent to: wwweditor@dest.gov.au

This page was last updated on Saturday, 23 April 2005
Department of Education, Science and Training
Copyright © Commonwealth of Australia
DEST Web Site Privacy Statement
Disclaimer