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You are here: ABSTUDY > 4
Study Requirements > 4.1 Approved Courses of Study
To be eligible for ABSTUDY allowances, students must meet certain requirements regarding courses of study.
This chapter covers approved and non-approved courses of study and education institutions.
A mainstream course is a course available to all members of the Australian community.
All mainstream courses approved under the Determination of Education Institutions and Courses (see Appendix 2) are also approved for ABSTUDY.
It should be noted that the Determination of Education Institutions and Courses addresses only courses that are offered as (or can be regarded as) full-time courses. A mainstream course may still be approved for ABSTUDY if it meets all approval criteria except that it cannot be classified as a full-time course (see 4.1.1.3). Students undertaking such courses, however, can be approved only for part-time entitlements.
DIFFERENT TO YA/AUSTUDY PAYMENT
Indigenous special courses are courses developed specifically for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Indigenous special courses may be approved subject to the course:
Note: Where there is an equivalent mainstream course, Indigenous special courses are to be approved as the mainstream course. Approval of Indigenous special courses should be undertaken in conjunction and agreement with the Senior ABSTUDY Customer Service Officer (CSO).
A course approved under 4.1.1.1 or 4.1.1.2 in previous paragraphs may be classified as a full-time course if it is:
A course offered by an institution only as a part-time course may be classified as a full-time course if the institution can define a full-time workload which meets one of the above criteria.
Students undertaking courses that may be classified as full-time courses may be assessed for full-time student entitlements, subject to their workload and eligibility for workload concessions (see 4.3.2.2).
A course must be regarded only as a part-time course if:
Students undertaking such courses can be approved only for part-time entitlements. Workload concessions cannot be applied to such courses.
An accredited secondary school course means a course accredited as a secondary course by the authority responsible for the accreditation of those courses in the State or Territory in which the course is conducted. These courses are approved as ‘schooling’ courses under ABSTUDY.
An accredited vocational education and training course means a course accredited as a vocational education and training course by the authority responsible for the accreditation of those courses in the State or Territory in which the course is conducted, and conducted by a TAFE institution, secondary school, non-government institution or, in some circumstances, a higher education institution.
These courses may be ‘schooling’ or ‘tertiary’ courses under ABSTUDY, depending on their content. Mainstream TAFE courses are defined in the Austudy Determination of Courses in Appendix 2. Generally in the past, government TAFE colleges have specified under which TAFE course classification a course falls (ie within Stream 1000, 2000, 3000 or 4000). Where this is done, the classification of a course for ABSTUDY purposes should be in line with the Determination
As of 1 January 1999, however, the terms "Stream 1000","Stream 2000" and "Stream 3000" are no longer be used to identify courses in the vocational educational education area: As the terms "Stream 1000" and "Stream 2000" are used in the Determination it is necessary to clarify how to interpret it after 1 January 1999.
Schedule 1 of the Determination identifies "Stream 2000 or equivalent courses" as secondary courses. From 1 January 1999 the term "Stream 2000" will no longer be used to identify remedial or preparatory activities separately from other vocational education and training courses. From 1 January 1999 Basic Education and Basic Employment Skills courses can be considered secondary courses under the Determination as "equivalent courses" to the old "Stream 2000" courses. The current definition of "Stream 2000" (covering sub-streams 2100 and 2200) should be used to assess equivalence. The definition, drawn from the current National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) publication of national vocational education and training statistics, is attached as Appendix 3.
The Determination’s definition of "accredited vocational education and training course" uses the term "Stream 1000" in the context of excluding "recreation, leisure and personal enrichment courses". The discontinuation of the term "Stream 1000" from 1 January 1999 does not affect this definition as the category of courses previously identified as "Stream 1000" are not accredited as vocational education and training.
In due course the Determination will be remade to remove the terms "Stream 1000" and "Stream 2000". In the interim, it should be noted that:
Where institutions do not specify a TAFE stream (this will particularly be the case in respect of non-government institutions offering vocational education and training courses), the Course Approvals officer must refer to course documentation such as a course prospectus in addition to the Determination at Appendix 2 to assess whether a course should be classified as a ‘secondary’ or a ‘tertiary’ course, using the Determination’s definitions of Stream 2000, 3000 and 4000 courses as a guide.
An accredited higher education course means a course that is:
These courses are approved as ‘tertiary’ courses under ABSTUDY.
Where a course includes both secondary and tertiary subjects, it should be determined to be either a secondary course or a tertiary course according to the criteria set out in Policy Manual - 4.2.1.4 for Schooling study and 4.3.1.5 for Tertiary study.
The Access Programme provides pre-apprenticeship training for people who are disadvantaged in the labour market and need preliminary training before they can successfully participate in an apprenticeship or traineeship. It has replaced the Pre-vocational Places programme that operated until 1 January 1997 (see 4.1.3 Access Programmes for details).
A series of short courses offered by TAFE or private providers which are linked together to form the same award or accreditation are treated like full year courses when deciding the ABSTUDY eligibility period. This includes courses that extend over two academic years and courses which involve bridging programmes. These courses are known as ‘articulated short courses’. See also 4.1.1.8.
Students enrolled in and undertaking an articulated short course:
See 4.1.4 Competency Based Training and 4.1.5 Study Through Open Learning Australia.
Under the National Framework for Recognition of Training (NFROT), some TAFE institutions and private education providers offer two (or more) linked courses which form stages of the one course. For example, a two year Associate Diploma may be based on undertaking four articulated half-year Certificate courses.
Articulated courses can be recognised as part of the overall long course in certain circumstances, eg for payment during vacation breaks between linked stages.
The National Framework allows stages or subjects forming part of an articulated course to be undertaken on a ‘stand alone’ basis. Neither the student nor the institution needs to decide in advance whether the study will continue on to the longer course. This means that students with otherwise identical studies may be enrolled either in a ‘stand alone’ stage or in the overall longer course.
To ensure that students are not disadvantaged by taking courses offered on an articulated basis under the Framework (or by using the flexibility available not to commit themselves to undertaking the longer course), ABSTUDY time limits are applied to allow the student either:
whichever is the greater.
Note: This refers to mainstream courses only and cannot be applied when assessing Indigenous special courses for approval.
See Policy Manual 2.1.4.1.2.
An approved course may be studied by:
A short course is one not more than 30 weeks in duration, ie the first and last days are not more than 30 weeks apart. This period includes any holidays and vacations.
Students doing short courses are normally paid only from the start to the finish of the course.
Special rules apply for students who are undertaking successive short courses as part of an overall qualification, that is, ‘articulated’ short courses (see 4.1.1.7 and 4.1.1.8).
A late starting course is not a short course, but is one which:
Students studying in late starting courses are normally paid only from the start of the course, that is, from the beginning of the pay period which includes the first day of the course.
A full year course is a course that:
Students studying in full year courses normally study for the whole academic year. See 7.3.5.1 for the period of entitlement which applies.
The following courses are not approved for ABSTUDY:
Note: This does not apply to study programmes undertaken by students in lawful custody (see 5.7.1.3), Access Programme courses (see 4.1.3) or articulated short courses under the National Framework for Recognition of Training (see 4.1.1.4);
A course is considered to be comprised wholly of Away-from-base activities where there are no course work requirements in addition to the Away-from-base activities.
A course is considered to be comprised substantially of Away-from-base activities where there are minimal course work requirements in addition to the Away-from-base activities.
Courses are not considered to be comprised substantially of Away-from-base activities where there is an ongoing requirement for students to undertake course work throughout their study period, both during and between the Away-from-base activities. Such courses may then be approved if they meet the requirements of 4.1.1.1 or 4.1.1.2.
The Commonwealth Government provides funding to State and Territory government training authorities and other contracted organisations (including Group Training Australia and the Salvation Army) to deliver the Access Programme. Registered training providers will then generally tender to offer training to individuals under the Programme.
All training provided under the Access Programme is State/Territory government accredited training. Training courses will consist of study from accredited courses or entire accredited courses.
Commonwealth funding under the Access Programme is provided to cover only course related costs (participants are not required to meet any course fees or charges). Because all course costs are paid, students undertaking Access Programme courses are not eligible for Incidentals Allowance.
However, no direct financial assistance is provided to participants under the Programme and students can apply for ABSTUDY assistance other than Incidentals Allowance.
The Access Programme is tailored to meet the individual needs of the participant and as such, courses will vary in content and duration from student to student. There will be no established standard course (however, Access Programme courses cannot exceed 26 weeks duration).
As it would be administratively cumbersome and time-consuming for each ABSTUDY applicant’s course to be individual approved, it has been decided that Access Programme courses be generically approved.
The following details should be considered in relation to scheme eligibility.
Access Programme courses are tertiary level courses.
Access Programme courses should be considered to have nominal class contact of 20 hours a week (the minimum required for short TAFE-type courses and Indigenous special courses). This value should then be used as the benchmark for assessing whether or not an ABSTUDY applicant meets the scheme’s workload rules:
Access Programme courses run for a maximum of 26 weeks. Eligible ABSTUDY students can only be paid assistance for the actual duration of their course (ie, from the beginning of the pay period which includes the first day of the course, up to the end of the pay period which includes the last day of the course). Not all students will be required to study for the full 26 weeks. Students must give information on the length of their course in the ABSTUDY claim form.
There is no special ABSTUDY policy dealing with Competency Based Training (CBT). Students in CBT study are subject to normal ABSTUDY requirements.
However, the Minister’s Determination of Courses under Subsections 3(1) and 5D(1) of the Student Assistance Act 1973 makes special provision for courses offered on a CBT basis by allowing them to have a maximum duration of up to 25% more than an equivalent course offered on a non-CBT basis.
CBT recognises the competencies (skills) that an individual possesses. The skills may have been gained through:
These skills may be recognised when formal study is undertaken.
Recognition of prior learning may result in:
CBT offers the scope for more flexible study arrangements. With CBT, students will not necessarily need to study in a formal classroom environment.
Flexibility in study arrangements means that students:
This study flexibility will generally be referred to as "open learning". "Open learning" used in this context should not be confused with study through Open Learning Australia (OLA) (see 4.1.5).
With the flexibility of study arrangements under CBT/open learning, there are consequences for how the ABSTUDY workload and ‘reasonable time’ rules are applied.
CBT/open learning students will not generally follow a fully structured sequence of study. Weekly study hours and the time taken to complete a course may vary from student to student.
To be full-time for ABSTUDY purposes, students need to enrol for, and undertake, at least three-quarters of the normal full-time work for their course.
Under CBT/open learning arrangements, students have the flexibility to structure their own study pattern. However, generally institutions will continue to monitor students; and study activities and progress.
Institutions themselves are best placed to determine the workload that a student is undertaking over a period of time.
It is important to recognise that a student will not necessarily undertake the number of hours in each week that has previously been seen to constitute a full-time workload. For example, a Certificate in Fashion course may normally require 24 hours per week of instruction. Under CBT/open learning arrangements, a student may structure his or her study in such a way as to result in less work being undertaken in some weeks, but more in others.
The primary consideration for ABSTUDY is that:
Some CBT courses do not have set term/semester dates. In such cases, the institution will need to advise that the student is undertaking, on average, a full-time workload from a specified date to a specified date.
Note: Part-time schooling students 18 years and older and tertiary students may be eligible for the Part-time Award.
ABSTUDY cannot be granted beyond 31 December. If a student’s full-time study period starts before 31 December and ends after 31 December, a reassessment for the student is necessary, that is the applicable Centrelink form will have to be completed after the period of 31 December.
The maximum period that ABSTUDY can be paid will continue to be assessed against the normal full-time length of the student’s course.
The availability of the additional period of assistance for CBT study depends on the full-time duration of the corresponding conventional (non-CBT) course:
Note 1: In some cases, an institution may offer a CBT-based course that is longer than the conventional (non-CBT) course. This recognises that some students will have lower competency levels and may therefore require longer to complete a course.
Note 2: A CBT-based course can be accepted for ABSTUDY even where its full-time duration is up to 25 per cent longer than the corresponding conventional course.
If a student is undertaking a CBT-based course that runs for 15 months, but the corresponding conventional course normally runs for only one full-time year, the student can receive assistance for up to 15 months (being the length of the ‘approved’ course). However, the reasonable time rules will be based on the length of the conventional course, not the CBT-based course.
Especially where prior learning has been recognised, CBT arrangements allow students to complete a course in a shorter time than would normally be the case.
ABSTUDY will normally cease:
However, it may be more beneficial for the student to go onto other Commonwealth Government Services administered by DEWRSB and FaCS such as Job Network and income support payments rather than remain on ABSTUDY until 31 December, (see 4.1.1.7).
Under CBT students have more flexibility in course structures. A series of short courses ("articulated courses") can be linked to count towards a higher level of award or accreditation.
Short courses so linked are to be treated as a long course for ABSTUDY purposes, allowing payment for vacation and other breaks between course stages.
Courses that extend over two years and courses which involve bridging programmes can be linked to short courses.
For further information on articulated short courses, see 4.1.1.7 and 4.1.1.8.
"Open Learning" through Open Learning Australia (OLA) should not be confused with the generic term "open learning" when referring to competency based training (CBT) programmes (see 4.1.4).
Open Learning is classified as undergraduate level study.
Open Learning is coordinated by Open Learning Australia, which is located in Melbourne. Students register with Open Learning Australia to undertake a particular unit; the institution responsible for the selected unit is then contracted to offer that unit to the student.
At this stage, the student becomes the responsibility of the relevant institution, and must meet the normal student obligations associated with that institution in respect of advice of changes in circumstances (cessation of study, changes in address, etc).
Note: An Open Learning student may register for units at one or more of the participating institutions.
Open Learning students do not formally enrol in a degree course at a specific institution.
Institutions offering particular Open Learning units are responsible for assessing registered students at the conclusion of each study period. Results of assessments are forwarded by the institution to Open Learning Australia for entry onto its data base.
Participating institutions are committed to accepting successfully completed Open Learning units as credit towards appropriate degrees that students may wish to enter at a later date.
Note: Assessment for Open Learning students is identical to that for internal students.
OLA has arranged for Centrelink Customer Service Centres to be placed on the mailing list for updates of available units. ABSTUDY Managers should contact the OLA direct if updates are not received or address details change.
Contact:
Open Learning Australia
Level 6
30 Collins Street
Melbourne Victoria
PO Box 18059
COLLINS STREET EAST VIC 8003Telephone: (03) 9903 8900
Fax: (03) 9903 8966
There are four Open Learning study periods in a year, each extending over 13 weeks. For 2001, these are:
For Undergraduates:-
| First study period | From 05 March 2001 to 01 June 2001 |
|---|---|
| Second Study Period | From 04 June 2001 to 31 August 2001 |
| Third Study Period | From 03 September 2001 to 30 November 2001 |
| Fourth Study Period | From 03 December 2001 to 01 March 2002 |
For Postgraduates and Professional Studies:-
| Session 1 | From 26 February 2001 to 12 June 2001 |
|---|---|
| Session 2 | From 16 July 2001 to 30 October 2001 |
| Session 3 | From 03 December 2001 to 02 March 2002 |
Generally, university level units offered by OLA have a credit weighting of 1/8 or 0.125 of a normal full time workload for single units or 1/4 for double units. From 1 January 1997 the terminology "double" units will no longer be used, instead these units will be known as units with a credit weighting of 0.25.
Units with a credit weighting of 0.25 will generally run for two consecutive study periods of thirteen weeks each.
OLA also offers TAFE modules. For ABSTUDY purposes the normal full time workload for an OLA student undertaking TAFE modules is 214 hours in a single study period.
University Level Units
Students will normally need to register in and undertake at least two
single Open Learning units in any one study period to receive assistance.
Units with a credit weighting of 0.125 will be identified by a 2 number unit code, (eg PSY11) and will generally run for one study period of 13 weeks. Generally a student would need to register in and undertake at least 2 of these units within any one study period to receive assistance.
Units with a credit weighting of 0.25 are identified by a 3 number unit code, (eg FRE112) and will generally run for two consecutive study periods of thirteen weeks each, but can range up to 39 weeks. Generally a student would need to register in and undertake at least 1 additional unit in a study period to receive assistance for that study period.
TAFE Modules
Students who undertake OLA TAFE modules equivalent to 160 hours per study
period may be eligible to receive assistance.
Note: The unit registration of students over two or more study periods is not averaged across the study periods.
Mary registers for three units in the first study period and one unit in the second. Mary is ineligible for assistance in the second study period as she is part-time. Her workload is not averaged to 2 units per study period.
The workload concessions for sole parent pensioners and students with disabilities also applies to Open Learning students. Students meeting the requirements of the concession can receive assistance as long as they study at least 25% of the normal full-time workload, ie one university level unit , or TAFE modules equivalent to 54 hours in a study period.
Open Learning study is to be treated as study in a ‘full year’ course. The assessment of entitlement periods will not significantly differ from that for conventional university full-year courses.
The following tables set out the periods for which ABSTUDY can be paid in 2001 to students who meet the workload and other eligibility requirements including the requirements concerning commencement date of assistance, see 7.3.5.1.
The following table sets out payment periods for student undertaking two units in a study period.
|
If the student studies two units in a study period: |
then ABSTUDY can be paid for the period*: |
|---|---|
|
four and one (across two calendar years) |
1 January to end of study period 1 |
|
one and two |
1 January to end of study period 2 |
|
one, two and three |
the full year |
|
one, two, three and four |
the full year |
|
two and three |
beginning of study period 2 to 31 December |
|
two and three and four |
beginning of study period 2 to 31 December |
|
one, three and four |
study period 1 and from beginning of study period 3 to 31 December |
|
three and four |
beginning of study period 3 to 31 December |
Note 1: Students studying in the 4th study period must have their situation assessed for the 2002 period/year to be paid after 31 December 2001.
Note 2: Consideration must be given to whether there has been a break in study, see Policy Manual - 7.3.5.4.
Assistance is also available to students who undertake at least two university level units in only one study period, or in two non-consecutive study periods. In these cases assistance is restricted to the actual duration of the study period/s involved.
The following table sets out payment periods for students undertaking three or more university level units in a study period.
|
If the student studies three units in a study period: |
then ABSTUDY can be paid for the period: |
|---|---|
|
one (only) |
1 January to end of study period 1 |
|
one and two |
the full year |
|
one, two and three |
the full year |
|
one, two, three and four |
the full year |
|
one and three |
the full year |
|
one, three and four |
the full year |
|
one and four |
1 January to end of study period 1 and beginning of study period 4 to 31 December |
|
two (only) |
beginning of study period 2 to 31 December |
|
two and three |
beginning of study period 2 to 31 December |
|
two, three and four |
beginning of study period 2 to 31 December |
|
two and four |
beginning of study period 2 to 31 December |
|
three (only) |
beginning of study period 3 to 31 December |
|
three and four |
beginning of study period 3 to 31 December |
|
four (only) |
beginning of study period 4 to 31 December |
Note 1: Students studying after 31 December 2001 in the fourth study period must have their situation reassessed for the 2002 period/year.
Note 2: Consideration must be given to whether there has been a break in study, see Policy Manual - 7.3.5.4.
Eligible students can receive assistance for study in the relevant exam period/s. Examinations are generally held during the weeks following the end of the Open Learning study periods. However, some institutions delay exams until later in the year. ABSTUDY is payable for examination periods and for ease of administration these are considered to be the three weeks immediately following the end of the relevant study period.
Eligible students can receive ABSTUDY up to and including the last day of the exam period. These dates are listed below:
|
Study period |
Exam period |
|---|---|
|
one |
5 June 2001 to 18 June 2001 |
|
two |
4 September 2001 to 17 September 2001 |
|
three |
4 December 2001 to 17 December 2001 |
|
four |
5 March 2002 to 18 March 2002 |
Note: *See 4.1.5.16 Students continuing study into 2001 from the fourth study period of 2000.
For ABSTUDY purposes, it is not necessary for students to register for Open Learning study for study periods in advance. The continuation of assistance from one study period to the next is based initially on the student’s stated intention to study in the next period in the required number of units and later confirmation of their formal registration (see 7.3.8.3. Payment commences).
Note that the OLA does not require students to register for study in more than one study period at the same time. While it will accept registration for multiple periods, OLA recommends to students that it is in their best interests to register only in one or two study periods at the same time.
Payments should continue unbroken into the next study period if the proposed workload is acceptable, but will again be subject to confirmation of formal registration for that period.
Note 1: Local arrangements should be made to ensure review of entitlements towards the end of each study period, and timely follow-up to avoid gaps in payment.
Note 2: CSO nominated paragraph S90 may be used for this purposes:
"For payments to continue beyond the current study period, you must provide proof of continued registration with Open Learning Australia. The Official notification of registration must be supplied within four weeks of the commencement of each study period this year."
Care should be taken in requesting confirmation of enrolment. For example, students who undertake three university level units in the second study period do not have to study in the third period for payments to continue through to 31 December 2001. However, a student who undertook two university level units, or TAFE level study, in the second study period would need to study in the third period to get assistance to 31 December 2001.
The fourth study period for 2001 starts on 4 December and extends through to 2 March 2002.
Students studying in the fourth study period of 2001 can only receive ABSTUDY for 2001 up until 31 December 2001. To receive assistance in 2002, students will have to complete the applicable Centrelink form for continued payment.
Where this is done, and eligibility is maintained for the duration of the fourth period, payment can be made for the period 1 January to the end of the fourth examination period. Students must register for the required number of units/modules in the first study period of 2001 for payments to continue after this time.
To receive full benefit, the following application closing dates apply to Open Learning students (unless extenuating circumstances apply):
|
If student first applies for ABSTUDY for study period: |
then the closing date for the application is: |
|---|---|
|
one |
18 February 2001 |
|
two |
19 May 2001 |
|
three |
18 August 2001 |
|
four |
17 November 2001 |
There may be cases where students enrol as conventional internal or external students, and also undertake one or more Open Learning units.
In the first instance, eligibility should be assessed for each form of study. The student would be eligible if the normal workload requirement is met in either the conventional course or in Open Learning study.
Where an institution accepts Open Learning study as part of the student’s primary course, the amount of work in both modes of study may be combined. The student must provide a letter from the academic registrar (or equivalent officer) of the institution confirming that the successful Open Learning study will be credited towards the student’s primary course. Note that a single university level unit of Open Learning study would equal 0.125 of a full-time HECS semester load.
See also 4.1.5.7 Eligibility minimum workload
A ‘semester’ refers to the usual half-year teaching period. It does not directly cover Open Learning study periods.
As a general rule Open Learning students who have had a break of more than two study periods can be considered to have had a break of more than one semester.
As vacation periods are disregarded when calculating the length of the break in study, a student studying in any one study period, would have to miss, (or study part-time without a concession), all or part of the next two study periods before being considered to have had a break in study of more than one semester.
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