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4.5 Overseas Study


Introduction

Students may be eligible for ABSTUDY allowances when studying overseas if they meet the guidelines outlined in this chapter.

This chapter covers these circumstances and criteria in detail.

4.5.1 Eligibility and Application

4.5.1.1 Eligibility for Schooling Award Students

A student who is studying overseas is eligible for ABSTUDY Schooling Award assistance where:

The ABSTUDY Schooling assistance applies for an approved period as specified below.

4.5.1.2 Period of Assistance

The table below lists the periods for which overseas ABSTUDY assistance may be approved under certain circumstances.

 
If the student is... then assistance approved for...

participating in an international educational exchange programme recognised by the relevant State or Territory education authority

the period of the study at an overseas education institution.

accompanying parent(s)/ guardian(s) who are employed by the Commonwealth of Australia (eg members of the Australian Armed Forces)

the period of the overseas posting.

studying overseas for any other reason

a period of 12 months from the first date of attendance at the overseas education institution, ie where a student does not return to Australia, ABSTUDY assistance ceases from the end of the payment period that includes the anniversary of the first date of attendance.

4.5.1.3 Attendance

The attendance provisions applying to students studying in Australia also apply to students studying overseas.

4.5.1.4 Documentation

Schooling students studying overseas must provide documentation from the relevant organisation verifying points in 4.5.1.1 above.

4.5.1.5 Eligibility for Tertiary Award Students

A student who is studying overseas is eligible for ABSTUDY Tertiary Award assistance where:

the student is enrolled in an approved Australian course at a higher education institution which approves the overseas study and is prepared to credit successful study at the overseas education institution toward the approved course; and

the student meets the workload provisions set down for Tertiary Award study in respect of the approved Australian course (see 4.3.2).

4.5.1.6 Period of Study

For students studying overseas under an ABSTUDY Tertiary Award there is no limit to the period of study overseas provided other eligibility and reasonable time conditions are met.

Note: The period of study overseas need not be compulsory for all students.

4.5.1.7 Attendance

Overseas study attendance need not be monitored for the ABSTUDY Tertiary Award.

4.5.1.8 Claims

A claim for a tertiary student studying at an overseas institution must be:

4.5.2 Entitlements and Payments

4.5.2.1 Entitlements

Subject to the Living Allowance and Fares Allowance provisions below, students approved to study overseas do not receive any additional entitlements over and above their entitlements if studying at an approved Australian institution.

4.5.2.2 Living Allowance

Schooling students may qualify for Living Allowance at the away from home or independent rate, subject to income-testing, if their circumstances overseas would meet the requirements for these rates were the student in Australia.

A tertiary student approved for ABSTUDY while studying overseas is entitled to the away rate.

4.5.2.3 Fares Allowance

Students approved to study overseas may receive Fares Allowance entitlements if their circumstances overseas would entitle them to Fares Allowance if these conditions were experienced in Australia, eg a family is posted to a remote area overseas.

Note: This refers to travel within the overseas country. Fares allowance to travel between Australia and the overseas country is not available.

4.5.2.4 How Payments are Made

Payments of entitlements are to be made to an Australian bank account by direct credit or to an Australian address by cheque.

4.5.2.5 Evidence and Verification

Normally payments for schooling students will be made after receipt of written verification from the education institution confirming enrolment.

Note: Confirmation of satisfactory attendance covering entitlement for a six month period is required twice a year.

4.5.2.6 Payments in Advance

Schooling students studying overseas in a recognised international educational exchange programme may, on submission, be paid in advance to whichever is the less of:

4.5.2.7 Regular Payments After Advanced Payments

At the end of the period for which the advance payment was made, regular payments can commence provided:


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