The purpose of Additional Assistance is to provide a means by which, in
exceptional circumstances, financial benefit over and above ABSTUDY entitlements
is available for students who experience severe financial difficulties
associated with education costs.
ABSTUDY entitlements are intended to assist with costs associated with the
student's education; they are not intended to relieve the applicant or the
student of all expenses associated with study and day-to-day living expenses.
The fact that a particular allowance does not cover all the costs incurred by
or on behalf of the student is not by itself a sufficient basis for the granting
of Additional Assistance. Additional assistance is not to be granted to
subsidise the general living costs of a family. It is expected that the
Additional Assistance provision will be used sparingly.
A student may be eligible for Additional Assistance if:
the student eligible for the ABSTUDY living allowance and the application
of an ABSTUDY eligibility or entitlement provision is harsh or inequitable
in the student's circumstances;
the student's circumstances are unique, ie the grant of Additional
Assistance is not likely to result in the inconsistent delivery of benefits
nor establish a precedent for a potentially significant number of students;
the basis of the Additional Assistance claim is directly related to a
factor associated with the student's study program which has resulted in the
student or family experiencing significant hardship and which may be
overcome by the grant of Additional Assistance;
the circumstances have not been caused or contributed to by action taken
by the student or applicant which may be regarded as negligent or imprudent;
and
there is no other Commonwealth or State Government agency or private
organisation which is a more appropriate source of assistance.
Significant hardship will be established if fortnightly expenditure on
essential items is equal to or exceeds the fortnightly income of the student or
student's family, and there are no financial reserves for the student or
student's family to draw upon.
7.15.3 Approval and Claims for Additional Assistance
the student or applicant must lodge a claim for Additional Assistance;
the claim is reviewed by the Centrelink/ABSTUDY Manager and assessed with
reference to the eligibility conditions shown on the previous page;
the Centrelink/ABSTUDY Manager prepares a report and recommendation for
the Area Manager;
the Area Manager approves or rejects the Additional Assistance claim and
advises the student or applicant accordingly;
where the claim is approved the amount of Additional Assistance is to be
determined; and
where the claim is rejected, the student or applicant is to be informed of
the reconsideration and appeal provisions.
Note 1: A copy of all Additional Assistance claims and
reports are to be forwarded to Centrelink National Support Office within 7
days of approving the claim.
Note 2: Centrelink National Support Office provides a
quarterly report to Indigenous Education Branch, DEST, to ensure that
Additional Assistance approvals conform with these policy guidelines.
The following items would not normally be considered as essential items,
unless it can be demonstrated that the items are necessary for a person's
employment or similar compelling reason:
car expenses (ie repayments, registration, petrol, insurance and
maintenance, above public transport costs);
telephone costs, ie installation, rent and call costs;
expenses not associated with studies, eg club fees for interests not
catered for by the education institution; and
debt repayment, including hire purchase of items other than household
furniture.
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Benefits and Allowances > 7.15 Additional Assistance
