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Part 7 : Benefits and Allowances

7.1 Benefits and Allowances

• 7.1.1 Introduction to Benefits and Allowances
  • 7.1.1.1 Voluntary Reduction of Benefits
  • 7.1.1.2 Non Application for Certain Benefits
  • 7.1.1.3 Attendance
• 7.1.2 Overpayments
  • 7.1.2.1 Definition
  • 7.1.2.2 Debtor
  • 7.1.2.3 Exceptions
  • 7.1.2.4 Parent/ Guardian as the Responsible Payee
  • 7.1.2.5 Student as the Responsible Payee
  • 7.1.2.6 Boarding Institution as the Responsible Payee
  • 7.1.2.7 School as the Responsible Payee
  • 7.1.2.8 Tertiary Education Institution as the Responsible Payee
  • 7.1.2.9 Additional Information

7.2 School Term Allowance

• 7.2.1 Summary of School Term Allowance
  • 7.2.2 Introduction to School Term Allowance
  • 7.2.2.1 Qualification
  • 7.2.2.2 Purpose
• 7.2.3 Eligibility for School Term Allowance
  • 7.2.3.1 Approval
  • 7.2.3.2 Commonwealth Government Assistance
  • 7.2.3.3 Students Without Parents
  • 7.2.3.4 Students in State Care
  • 7.2.3.5 CDEP Recipients
  • 7.2.3.6 Health Care Card
• 7.2.4 Entitlement and Payments of School Term Allowance
  • 7.2.4.1 Entitlement
  • 7.2.4.2 Entitlement Periods
  • 7.2.4.3 Entitlement is Established
  • 7.2.4.4 Payable When
  • 7.2.4.5 Four Instalments
  • 7.2.4.6 Payment in Advance
  • 7.2.4.7 Responsibility for Overpayments
  • 7.2.4.8 Taxation
  • 7.2.4.9 Indexation
• 7.2.5 Change of Circumstance
  • 7.2.5.1 Turning 16 During Term
  • 7.2.5.2 If the Student Leaves School
  • 7.2.5.3 Change Resulting in Gain of Eligibility
  • 7.2.5.4 Cease to be Eligible

7.3 Living Allowance

• 7.3.1 Summary of Living Allowance
• 7.3.2 Introduction to Living Allowance
  • 7.3.2.1 Qualification
  • 7.3.2.2 Purpose
• 7.3.3 Eligibility for Living Allowance
  • 7.3.3.1 Eligibility
  • 7.3.3.2 Income, Assets and Family Actual Means Tests
  • 7.3.3.3 State care - income test waiver
• 7.3.4 Entitlement to Living Allowance
  • 7.3.4.1 Entitlement
  • 7.3.4.2 Rate Maintenance
  • 7.3.4.3 Current Course of Study
  • 7.3.4.4 Definition of Continuing Student
  • 7.3.4.5 Age
  • 7.3.4.6 Student Status
  • 7.3.4.7 Family Circumstances
  • 7.3.4.8 Living Away From Home
  • 7.3.4.9 State Care - Rates of Payment
  • 7.3.4.10 Masters and Doctorate Award
  • 7.3.4.11 Table of Rates
  • 7.3.4.12 Residential Costs Option
  • 7.3.4.13 Students to Compare Costs
  • 7.3.4.14 Ensure Charges Are Reasonable
  • 7.3.4.15 Residential Fees Include
  • 7.3.4.16 Residential Fees Do Not Include
  • 7.3.4.17 Transfer of Unused School Fees to Meet Board Fees
  • 7.3.4.18 Reasonable Boarding Charges
• 7.3.5 Period of Entitlement
  • 7.3.5.1 Normal Period of Entitlement
  • 7.3.5.2 Circumstances Affecting Entitlement Periods
  • 7.3.5.3 Late Commencement
  • 7.3.5.4 Resuming Study After a Break
  • 7.3.5.5 Exceptions to the Break in Study Rule
  • 7.3.5.6 Receiving FaCS Benefit or Allowance
  • 7.3.5.7 Payment of Another Benefit Prior to Study
  • 7.3.5.8 Directed to Undertake a Course of Six Months or Less
  • 7.3.5.9 Not Directed to Undertake a Course of Six Months or Less
  • 7.3.5.10 Courses of More Than Six Months Duration
  • 7.3.5.11 Students Transferring from Sickness Allowance or Special Benefit
  • 7.3.5.12 FaCS Payments Stopped Prematurely
  • 7.3.5.13 Backdating ABSTUDY
  • 7.3.5.14 Department of Veterans’ Affairs Pensions
  • 7.3.5.15 Child Disability Allowance
• 7.3.6 Discontinuation of Full-Time Study
  • 7.3.6.1 Discontinued Study
  • 7.3.6.2 Date of Discontinuation
  • 7.3.6.3 Cessation of Payment
  • 7.3.6.4 Early Formal Release
  • 7.3.6.5 Student is Unable to Recommence Study After the Long Vacation
  • 7.3.6.6 Non Resumption After Term Break
  • 7.3.6.7 Student Unable to Recommence Study After a Vacation
  • 7.3.6.8 Non Resumption After Extended Absence
  • 7.3.6.9 Resumption of Study in Same Course
  • 7.3.6.10 Discontinued to Commence New Course
  • 7.3.6.11 Not Accepted Into Course
  • 7.3.6.12 Not Accepted Into Course and Returns to Secondary Study
  • 7.3.6.13 Discontinued Boarding
• 7.3.7 Change of Circumstance
  • 7.3.7.1 General Rules for Change of Circumstances
  • 7.3.7.2 Change of Status
  • 7.3.7.3 Student Ceases to Live Away From Home
  • 7.3.7.4 School Requires Students to Live Away From Home for a Part of the Year
  • 7.3.7.5 Death of a Student
• 7.3.8 Payment of Living Allowance
  • 7.3.8.1 Payable To
  • 7.3.8.2 Payable When
  • 7.3.8.3 Payment Commences
  • 7.3.8.4 Payable by Term in Advance
  • 7.3.8.5 Responsibility for Overpayments
  • 7.3.8.6 Taxation

7.4 Masters and Doctorate Allowances

• 7.4.1 Summary of Masters and Doctorate Allowances
• 7.4.2 Eligibility
  • 7.4.2.1 Eligibility
  • 7.4.2.2 Income, Assets and Family Actual Means Tests
• 7.4.3 Entitlement
  • 7.4.3.1 Entitlement
• 7.4.4 Benefits
  • 7.4.4.1 Benefits
  • 7.4.4.2 Living Allowance
  • 7.4.4.3 Relocation Allowance
  • 7.4.4.4 Removal Costs
  • 7.4.4.5 Relocation Allowance Excludes
  • 7.4.4.6 Proof of Enrolment
  • 7.4.4.7 Thesis Allowance
  • 7.4.4.8 Compulsory Course Fees or HECS
  • 7.4.4.9 Payment of Course Fees or HECS
  • 7.4.4.10 Responsibility for Overpayments

7.5 Lawful Custody Allowance

• 7.5.1 Summary of Lawful Custody Allowance
• 7.5.2 Eligibility and Entitlement to Lawful Custody Allowance
  • 7.5.2.1 Eligibility
  • 7.5.2.2 Purpose
  • 7.5.2.3 Essential Course Costs
• 7.5.3 Payment of Lawful Custody Allowance
  • 7.5.3.1 Payment
  • 7.5.3.2 Lodgement of a Claim
  • 7.5.3.3 Not income Tested
  • 7.5.3.4 Responsibility for Overpayments

7.6 Pensioner Education Supplement

• 7.6.1 Summary of Pensioner Education Supplement
• 7.6.2 Introduction to Pensioner Education Supplement
  • 7.6.2.1 Qualification
  • 7.6.2.2 Purpose
  • 7.6.2.3 1/1/2000 Maintenance
  • 7.6.2.4 Current Course of Study
  • 7.6.2.5 Continuing Student
• 7.6.3 Eligibility and Entitlement for Pensioner Education Supplement
  • 7.6.3.1 Eligibility
  • 7.6.3.2 Entitlement
  • 7.6.3.3 Wife’s Pension Recipients
  • 7.6.3.4 Is PES Taxable?
  • 7.6.3.5 Type of Pension
  • 7.6.3.6 Rates of Entitlement
  • 7.6.3.7 Period of Entitlement
  • 7.6.3.8 Change of Pension
  • 7.6.3.9 Workload Concession
  • 7.6.3.10 Payment
  • 7.6.3.11 Lodgement of PES Application
  • 7.6.3.12 Responsibility for Overpayments
  • 7.6.3.13 Indexation

7.7 Incidentals Allowance

• 7.7.1 Summary of Incidentals and Additional Incidentals Allowance
• 7.7.2 Introduction to Incidentals Allowance
  • 7.7.2.1 Qualification
  • 7.7.2.2 Purpose
• 7.7.3 Eligibility for Incidentals Allowance
  • 7.7.3.1 Eligibility
  • 7.7.3.2 Eligible for Each Year of Study
  • 7.7.3.3 Example 1 - Short Course
  • 7.7.3.4 Example 2 - Dropped Out Then Enrolled in New Course of Same Length
  • 7.7.3.5 Example 3 - Dropped Out Then Enrolled in Longer New Course
• 7.7.4 Entitlement to Incidentals Allowance
  • 7.7.4.1 Entitlement Factors
  • 7.7.4.2 Entitlement Established
  • 7.7.4.3 Period of Enrolment
  • 7.7.4.4 Additional Entitlement
  • 7.7.4.5 Amount of Additional Entitlement
  • 7.7.4.6 Example
  • 7.7.4.7 Essential Course Costs
  • 7.7.4.8 Essential Course Costs Amount
  • 7.7.4.9 Prescribed Amounts
  • 7.7.4.10 Claims for Essential Course Costs
  • 7.7.4.11 Certification of Claim
  • 7.7.4.12 Not Income Tested
• 7.7.5 Payment of Incidentals Allowance
  • 7.7.5.1 Payment
  • 7.7.5.2 Responsibility for Overpayments
  • 7.7.5.3 Taxation
  • 7.7.5.4 Indexation

7.8 School Fees Allowance

• 7.8.1 Summary of School Fees Allowance
• 7.8.2 Eligibility for School Fees Allowance
  • 7.8.2.1 Eligibility
  • 7.8.2.2 Approval for Group 1 School Fees Allowance
  • 7.8.2.3 Commonwealth Government Assistance
  • 7.8.2.4 Students Without Parents
  • 7.8.2.5 Students in State Care
  • 7.8.2.6 CDEP Recipients
  • 7.8.2.7 Health Care Card/Low Income Card
• 7.8.3 Entitlement to School Fees Allowance
  • 7.8.3.1 Entitlement Factors
  • 7.8.3.2 Rates
  • 7.8.3.3 Indexation
  • 7.8.3.4 Excess Fees Charged By School
• 7.8.4 Definition of School Fees
  • 7.8.4.1 Definition of School Fees
  • 7.8.4.2 School Costs Not Payable as Fees
• 7.8.5 Payment of School Fees Allowance
  • 7.8.5.1 Entitlement Commences
  • 7.8.5.2 Payment
  • 7.8.5.3 School Fees Payable for Group 2 Students
  • 7.8.5.4 Responsibility for Overpayments
• 7.8.6 Transfer of School Fees Allowance to Pay Boarding Costs
  • 7.8.6.1 Transfer to Meet Outstanding Boarding Fees
  • 7.8.6.2 Entitlement Not To Be Exceeded
  • 7.8.6.3 Transfer not automatic
  • 7.8.6.4 Approval Requirements for Transfer
  • 7.8.6.5 Disparity in Fees Levied
• 7.8.7 Change of School
  • 7.8.7.1 Change of School - No Further Payment
  • 7.8.7.2 Change of School - Further Payment
  • 7.8.7.3 Notification Before Leaving School

7.9 Fares Allowance

• 7.9.1 Summary of Fares Allowance
• 7.9.2 Introduction to Fares Allowance
  • 7.9.2.1 Qualification
  • 7.9.2.2 Purpose
  • 7.9.2.3 Duty of Care for Young Students
• 7.9.3 Eligibility for Fares Allowance
  • 7.9.3.1 Eligibility
  • 7.9.3.2 Ineligibility for Further Travel: Students Who Have Completed Tertiary Course Interstate
  • 7.9.3.3 Intrastate and Interstate Travel: Schooling Students
  • 7.9.3.4 Intrastate and Interstate Travel: Tertiary Students
  • 7.9.3.5 Interstate travel: Restrictions on Tertiary Students Undertaking Certificate and Enabling Courses
  • 7.9.3.6 Establishment of Entitlement to Live Away From Home
  • 7.9.3.7 Evidence of Residence
  • 7.9.3.8 Forward Journey to Commence Course
  • 7.9.3.9 Return Journey at the End of Study for the Year
  • 7.9.3.10 Example
  • 7.9.3.11 Special Circumstances
  • 7.9.3.12 Travel to and From Another Location
  • 7.9.3.13 Change of Permanent Home
  • 7.9.3.14 Changed Circumstances
  • 7.9.3.15 Travel Overseas
  • 7.9.3.16 Unused Entitlements
• 7.9.4 Entitlement to Fares Allowance
  • 7.9.4.1 Fares allowance for Travel
  • 7.9.4.2 Standard Rate of Fares Allowance
  • 7.9.4.3 Alternative Travel Routes
  • 7.9.4.4 Air/sleeping Berth Travel Rates
  • 7.9.4.5 Motor Vehicle Allowance
  • 7.9.4.6 Motor Vehicle Allowance Assessment
  • 7.9.4.7 Not Necessary to Travel by Motor Vehicle
  • 7.9.4.8 Travel in Motor Vehicle With Companion
  • 7.9.4.9 Motor Vehicle Allowance Payable
  • 7.9.4.10 Motor Vehicle Allowance Rates
  • 7.9.4.11 Travel by Chartered Transport
  • 7.9.4.12 Travel by Hire Car
  • 7.9.4.13 Transport Terminal Transfers
  • 7.9.4.14 Off Campus Residential School Travel
  • 7.9.4.15 Excess Baggage
  • 7.9.4.16 Overnight Accommodation
  • 7.9.4.17 Travel Service Provider
  • 7.9.4.18 Qantas Group Booking Discount
  • 7.9.4.19 Travel Arrangements
  • 7.9.4.20 Variations to Authorised Travel
  • 7.9.4.21 No Show Penalty
  • 7.9.4.22 Penalty
• 7.9.5 Types of Specified Travel
  • 7.9.5.1 Travel at Commencement and End of Study Period
    • 7.9.5.1.1 Purpose
    • 7.9.5.1.2 Eligibility
    • 7.9.5.1.3 Entitlement
  • 7.9.5.2 School Vacation Travel
    • 7.9.5.2.1 Purpose
    • 7.9.5.2.2 Eligibility
    • 7.9.5.2.3 Entitlement
    • 7.9.5.2.4 Special Provision
  • 7.9.5.3 Tertiary Travel - Courses of More Than One Semester
    • 7.9.5.3.1 Purpose
    • 7.9.5.3.2 Eligibility
    • 7.9.5.3.3 Entitlement
  • 7.9.5.4 Compassionate Travel
    • 7.9.5.4.1 Purpose
    • 7.9.5.4.2 Eligibility
    • 7.9.5.4.3 Non Eligibility for Compassionate Travel
    • 7.9.5.4.4 Entitlement
    • 7.9.5.4.5 Number of Approved Trips
    • 7.9.5.4.6 Compassionate Travel
    • 7.9.5.4.7 Approval
    • 7.9.5.4.8 Evidence
  • 7.9.5.5 Away-From-Base Activities Travel
    • 7.9.5.5.1 Purpose
    • 7.9.5.5.2 Eligibility
    • 7.9.5.5.3 Entitlement
    • 7.9.5.5.4 Limit of Assistance - Masters and Doctorate Students
  • 7.9.5.6 Examination Travel
    • 7.9.5.6.1 Purpose
    • 7.9.5.6.2 Eligibility
    • 7.9.5.6.3 Entitlement
  • 7.9.5.7 Graduation Travel
    • 7.9.5.7.1 Purpose
    • 7.9.5.7.2 Eligibility
    • 7.9.5.7.3 Entitlement
  • 7.9.5.8 Supervisor Travel
    • 7.9.5.8.1 Purpose
    • 7.9.5.8.2 Eligibility
    • 7.9.5.8.3 Number of Supervisors
    • 7.9.5.8.4 Entitlement
  • 7.9.5.9 Masters/Doctorate Relocation Travel
    • 7.9.5.9.1 Purpose
    • 7.9.5.9.2 Eligibility
    • 7.9.5.9.3 Entitlement
  • 7.9.5.10 Orientation or Special Purpose Visit Travel
    • 7.9.5.10.1 Purpose
    • 7.9.5.10.2 Definition
    • 7.9.5.10.3 Eligibility
    • 7.9.5.10.4 Number of Supervisors
    • 7.9.5.10.5 Entitlement
• 7.9.6 Approved Travellers
  • 7.9.6.1 Dependants’ Travel
    • 7.9.6.1.1 Approval
    • 7.9.6.1.2 Students Not Entitled to Dependents Travel
    • 7.9.6.1.3 Entitlement
  • 7.9.6.2 Travelling Companion/Visitor for an Ill Student or a Student with a Disability
    • 7.9.6.2.1 Approval
    • 7.9.6.2.2 Entitlement
  • 7.9.6.3 Education Institution Representative Travel
    • 7.9.6.3.1 Approval
    • 7.9.6.3.2 Orientation Travel
    • 7.9.6.3.3 Away-From-Base Travel
    • 7.9.6.3.4 Entitlement
• 7.9.7 Payment of Fares Allowance
  • 7.9.7.1 Fares Allowance is Payable
  • 7.9.7.2 Allowable Claim Period
  • 7.9.7.3 Advance Payments
  • 7.9.7.4 Recovery of Advance Payments
  • 7.9.7.5 Responsibility for Overpayments
  • 7.9.7.6 Non Taxable

7.10 Away-from-base Assistance

• 7.10.1 Summary of Away-From-Base Activities
• 7.10.2 Introduction to Away-From-Base Activities
  • 7.10.2.1 Definitions
  • 7.10.2.2 Coverage
  • 7.10.2.3 Associated Fees
  • 7.10.2.4 Costs to be Justified
  • 7.10.2.5 Overseas Travel
  • 7.10.2.6 Applications for Non Mixed-mode Courses
• 7.10.3 Away-From-Base Non Mixed-mode Activities Entitlements
  • 7.10.3.1 General Entitlements for Non Mixed-mode Courses
    • 7.10.3.1.1 Beneficiaries
    • 7.10.3.1.2 Entitlements for Students
    • 7.10.3.1.3 Entitlements for Non-Students
    • 7.10.3.1.4 Period of Entitlement
  • 7.10.3.2 Residential Expenses and Meal Allowance
    • 7.10.3.2.1 Purpose
    • 7.10.3.2.2 Residential Expenses
    • 7.10.3.2.3 Expenditure Approval Requirements
    • 7.10.3.2.4 Exceptions to the Expenditure Approval Requirements
    • 7.10.3.2.5 Three Quotes Not Required
    • 7.10.3.2.6 Rates of Entitlement - Residential Expenses
    • 7.10.3.2.7 Rates of Entitlement - ABSTUDY Meal Allowance
    • 7.10.3.2.8 Travel Allowance
    • 7.10.3.2.9 Rate of Entitlement - Travel Allowance
    • 7.10.3.2.10 High Cost Location
  • 7.10.3.3 Living Allowance
    • 7.10.3.3.1 Entitlement
    • 7.10.3.3.2 Evidence Required
    • 7.10.3.3.3 Period of Entitlement
    • 7.10.3.3.4 Income Tests
• 7.10.4 Away-From-Base Course Approvals for Non Mixed-mode Courses
  • 7.10.4.1 Approved Activities for Non Mixed-mode Courses
    • 7.10.4.1.1 Limits to Away-From-Base Activities
    • 7.10.4.1.2 Total for the Year of Study
    • 7.10.4.1.3 Limit to Number of Return Trips
    • 7.10.4.1.4 Limit to Number of Days of Residential Costs
    • 7.10.4.1.5 Calculating Residential Costs or Travel Allowance
    • 7.10.4.1.6 Example 1
    • 7.10.4.1.7 Example 2
    • 7.10.4.1.8 Consideration of Increase in Entitlement
  • 7.10.4.2 Mainstream Course Approvals
    • 7.10.4.2.1 Mainstream Course Activities
    • 7.10.4.2.2 Approval Requirements
    • 7.10.4.2.3 Mainstream Placements
    • 7.10.4.2.4 Submission for Advance Payment
    • 7.10.4.2.5 Submission Details
  • 7.10.4.3 Testing And Assessment Programs
    • 7.10.4.3.1 Description
    • 7.10.4.3.2 Limit of Assistance
    • 7.10.4.3.3 Approval Requirements
    • 7.10.4.3.4 Approval
    • 7.10.4.3.5 Approval Option
    • 7.10.4.3.6 Submission for Advance Payment
    • 7.10.4.3.7 Submission Details
  • 7.10.4.4 Placements
    • 7.10.4.4.1 Description
    • 7.10.4.4.2 Approval Requirements
    • 7.10.4.4.3 Approval
    • 7.10.4.4.4 Submission for Advance Payment
    • 7.10.4.4.5 Submission Details
    • 7.10.4.4.6 Interstate and Overseas Trips
  • 7.10.4.5 Field Trips
    • 7.10.4.5.1 Description
    • 7.10.4.5.2 Approval Requirements
    • 7.10.4.5.3 Approval
    • 7.10.4.5.4 Submission for Advance Payment
    • 7.10.4.5.5 Submission Details
    • 7.10.4.5.6 Interstate and Overseas Trips
  • 7.10.4.6 Residential Schools
    • 7.10.4.6.1 Description
    • 7.10.4.6.2 Approval Requirements
    • 7.10.4.6.3 Approval
    • 7.10.4.6.4 Approval Option
    • 7.10.4.6.5 Submission for Advance Payment
    • 7.10.4.6.6 Submission Details
  • 7.10.4.7 Residential Schools - Bulk Funding
    • 7.10.4.7.1 Description
    • 7.10.4.7.2 Approving Institutions for Bulk Funding
    • 7.10.4.7.3 Application Requirements for Bulk Funding
    • 7.10.4.7.4 Submission Details and Approval Requirements
    • 7.10.4.7.5 Funding
    • 7.10.4.7.6 Administrative Costs
    • 7.10.4.7.7 Variations
    • 7.10.4.7.8 Travel Provider
    • 7.10.4.7.9 Role of Centrelink
    • 7.10.4.7.10 Reporting
    • 7.10.4.7.11 Funding Adjustment
• 7.10.5 Payment of Away-From-Base Activities for Non Mixed-mode Courses
  • 7.10.5.1 Payment of Residential Expenses
  • 7.10.5.2 Payment of Travel Allowance
  • 7.10.5.3 Bulk Funding Payments
  • 7.10.5.4 Claims for Residential Expenses
  • 7.10.5.5 Closing Date for Claims for Reimbursement
  • 7.10.5.6 Not Taxable Income
  • 7.10.5.7 Effect of Previous Non-Acquittal on Payment
  • 7.10.5.8 Responsibility for Overpayments
• 7.10.6 Acquittal of Away-From-Base Activities
  • 7.10.6.1 Acquittal Required
  • 7.10.6.2 Acquittal of Residential Expenses
  • 7.10.6.3 Acquittal of Travel Allowance
  • 7.10.6.4 Acquittal Time
  • 7.10.6.5 Acquittal of Bulk Funding
  • 7.10.6.6 Acquittal Not Received

7.11 Under 16 Boarding Supplement

• 7.11.1 Summary of the Under 16 Boarding Supplement
• 7.11.2 Introduction to the Under 16 Boarding Supplement
  • 7.11.2.1 Qualification
  • 7.11.2.2 Purpose
• 7.11.3 Eligibility for the Under 16 Boarding Supplement
  • 7.11.3.1 Eligibility
  • 7.11.3.2 Entitlement
  • 7.11.3.3 Definition of Boarding School for Approval of the Boarding Supplement
• 7.11.4 Payment of Under 16 Boarding Supplement
  • 7.11.4.1 Number of Payments Per Term
  • 7.11.4.2 Student Changes School During Term/Semester
  • 7.11.4.3 Student Discontinued During Term/Semester
  • 7.11.4.4 Delayed Assessment
  • 7.11.4.5 Overpayment of Under 16 Boarding Supplement
  • 7.11.4.6 Responsibility for Overpayment

7.12 Rent Assistance

• 7.12.1 Summary of Rent Assistance
• 7.12.2 Introduction to Rent Assistance
  • 7.12.2.1 Eligible Students
  • 7.12.2.2 Factors That Affect Payment of Rent Assistance
  • 7.12.2.3 Definition of ‘Rent’
• 7.12.3 Eligibility for Rent Assistance
  • 7.12.3.1 Payments for Board and Lodging
  • 7.12.3.2 Example
  • 7.12.3.3 Free Board and Lodging
  • 7.12.3.4 Student’s Living Circumstances
  • 7.12.3.5 Appropriate Private Rental Accommodation
  • 7.12.3.6 Public Housing
  • 7.12.3.7 Students Residing in Accommodation Owned by Them
• 7.12.4 Entitlement to Rent Assistance
  • 7.12.4.1 Maximum Rent Assistance
  • 7.12.4.2 Definition: Single
  • 7.12.4.3 Definition: Shared Accommodation
  • 7.12.4.4 Definition: Not Shared Accommodation
  • 7.12.4.5 Minimum Rent Assistance Payment
  • 7.12.4.6 Effect on Actual Rent Payments on the Amount of Rent Assistance Payable
  • 7.12.4.7 Example: Student Not in Shared Accommodation
  • 7.12.4.8 Example: Student in Shared Accommodation
  • 7.12.4.9 Example: Student Paying Board and Lodging
  • 7.12.4.10 The Effect of Student's Income on the Amount of Rent Assistance Payable
  • 7.12.4.11 State Government Accommodation
  • 7.12.4.12 Example: Student in Shared Accommodation
  • 7.12.4.13 Example: Student Not in Shared accommodation
  • 7.12.4.14 Effect of State Housing Trust Rent Relief Payments
  • 7.12.4.15 Example: Effect of State Housing Trust Rent Relief Payments
  • 7.12.4.16 Students not Entitled to Rent Assistance for the Full Year.
  • 7.12.4.17 Example
  • 7.12.4.18 Is Rent Assistance Taxable
• 7.12.5 Review of Rent Assistance
  • 7.12.5.1 Review of Rent Assistance Entitlement
  • 7.12.5.2 Review: Changed Accommodation Arrangements
  • 7.12.5.3 Example
  • 7.12.5.4 Review: Change in Rent Payment
  • 7.12.5.5 Example 1
  • 7.12.5.6 Example 2
  • 7.12.5.7 Review:
  • 7.12.5.8 Example 3
  • 7.12.5.9 Review: Student Turns 25 Years Old
  • 7.12.5.10 Review of Rent Assistance - Student Marries or Enters a De Facto Relationship
• 7.12.6 Verification Required for Rent Assistance
  • 7.12.6.1 Summary of Verification Required
  • 7.12.6.2 Formal Renting Arrangements – "Lease" or Tenancy Agreement
  • 7.12.6.3 Formal Renting Arrangements – Rent Increases
  • 7.12.6.4 Formal Renting Arrangements – Other Formal Arrangements
  • 7.12.6.5 Informal Renting Arrangements
  • 7.12.6.6 Rent Variations
  • 7.12.6.7 Community and Disability Housing
  • 7.12.6.8 Examples of Formal and Informal Renting Arrangements
  • 7.12.6.9 Rent Declarations
  • 7.12.6.10 Exemptions
  • 7.12.6.11 Board and Lodgings
  • 7.12.6.12 Shared Accommodation
  • 7.12.6.13 Financial Hardship
  • 7.12.6.14 Change of Address
  • 7.12.6.15 Change to Rent Payable
  • 7.12.6.16 Reclaiming / Transferring Between Payments

7.13 Pharmaceutical Allowance

• 7.13.1 Introduction to Pharmaceutical Allowance
  • 7.13.1.1 Introduction
  • 7.13.1.2 How is PhA Paid
  • 7.13.1.3 Entitlement Year
  • 7.13.1.4 Application for PhA
• 7.13.2 Pharmaceutical Allowance – Current Rates
  • 7.13.2.1 PhA Current Rates
  • 7.13.2.2 Precluding Payments
  • 7.13.2.3 Department of Veteran’s Affairs Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (DVA RPBS) Card holders
• 7.13.3 Pharmaceutical Allowance – Advance Payment
  • 7.13.3.1 PhA Advance Payment
  • 7.13.3.2 Advance Payment Exemptions
  • 7.13.3.3 Multiple Advances
  • 7.13.3.4 Documentation Required (Advance Payment)
  • 7.13.3.5 Payment to Members of a Couple (Advance Payment)
• 7.13.4 Income and Assets Testing for Pharmaceutical Allowance
  • 7.13.4.1 PhA Income and Assets Testing

7.14 Remote Area Allowance

• 7.14.1 Introduction to Remote Area Allowance
  • 7.14.1.1 Introduction
  • 7.14.1.2 Eligibility
• 7.14.2 Definition of a Remote Area
  • 7.14.2.1 Definition of a Remote Area
• 7.14.3 Usual Place of Residence for Remote Area Allowance
  • 7.14.3.1 Usual Place of Residence for RAA
  • 7.14.3.2 Determining Usual Place of Residence
  • 7.14.3.3 Itinerant Students
  • 7.14.3.4 Temporary Absence in Australia
• 7.14.4 Remote Area Allowance Income and Assets Testing
  • 7.14.4.1 Remote Area Allowance Income and Assets Testing
• 7.14.5 Notification and Recipient Obligations
  • 7.14.5.1 Notification and Recipient Obligations for Students Receiving RAA
• 7.14.6 Reviews for Remote Area Allowance
  • 7.14.6.1 Reviews
  • 7.14.6.2 Continuation, Variation or Termination of RAA
• 7.14.7 Remote Area Allowance – Current Rates
  • 7.14.7.1 RAA Current Rates

7.15 Additional Assistance

• 7.15.1 Introduction to Additional Assistance
  • 7.15.1.1 Qualification
  • 7.15.1.2 Purpose
  • 7.15.1.3 Intention of Additional Assistance
• 7.15.2 Eligibility for Additional Assistance
  • 7.15.2.1 Eligibility
  • 7.15.2.2 Establishment of Eligibility
• 7.15.3 Approval and Claims for Additional Assistance
  • 7.15.3.1 Approvals Process
  • 7.15.3.2 Claims
  • 7.15.3.3 Fortnightly Income and Expenditure Statement
  • 7.15.3.4 Statement to Include
  • 7.15.3.5 Income
  • 7.15.3.6 Expenditure
  • 7.15.3.7 Not Included as Expenditure
• 7.15.4 Entitlement to Additional Assistance
  • 7.15.4.1 Amount of Entitlement
  • 7.15.4.2 Provision of Additional Assistance
• 7.15.5 Payment of Additional Assistance
  • 7.15.5.1 Payment
  • 7.15.5.2 Responsibility for Overpayments
  • 7.15.5.3 Taxable
  • 7.15.5.4 Not Taxable as a Once Only Payment

7.16 ABSTUDY Student Financial Supplement Loan

• 7.16.1 Definitions
  • 7.16.1.1 Application and Agreement Form
  • 7.16.1.2 Contract Period
  • 7.16.1.3 Category 1 Student
  • 7.16.1.4 Category 2 Student
  • 7.16.1.5 CBA
  • 7.16.1.6 CPI
  • 7.16.1.7 Eligible Student
  • 7.16.1.8 Financial Supplement Debt
  • 7.16.1.9 Supplement Loan
  • 7.16.1.10 Supplement Loan Eligibility Period
  • 7.16.1.11 Supplement Loan Payability Period
  • 7.16.1.12 HECS
  • 7.16.1.13 ISS
  • 7.16.1.14 PES
  • 7.16.1.15 Principal
  • 7.16.1.16 Real Rate of Interest
  • 7.16.1.17 Supplement Early Buy Back
  • 7.16.1.18 Supplement Loan
  • 7.16.1.19 Trade Back
  • 7.16.1.20 Trade In
• 7.16.2 Introduction to the ABSTUDY Student Financial Supplement Loan
  • 7.16.2.1 Description of the Student Financial Supplement Scheme
  • 7.16.2.2 Student Assistance Act 1973
• 7.16.3 Summary of the ABSTUDY Student Financial Supplement Loan Application Process
  • 7.16.3.1 Process
• 7.16.4 Rationale for the ABSTUDY Student Financial Supplement Loan
  • 7.16.4.1 Why the ABSTUDY Student Financial Supplement Scheme Was Introduced
  • 7.16.4.2 Why it is Called a Supplement
• 7.16.5 Students Who Are Eligible for an ABSTUDY Student Financial Supplement Loan
  • 7.16.5.1 Eligible Students
    • 7.16.5.1.1 Definition
    • 7.16.5.1.2 Categories of Students
  • 7.16.5.2 Category 1 Students
    • 7.16.5.2.1 Definition
    • 7.16.5.2.2 Trade In
    • 7.16.5.2.3 Minimum and Maximum Payable
    • 7.16.5.2.4 Entitlement to Other Allowances is Unaffected
  • 7.16.5.3 Category 2 Students
    • 7.16.5.3.1 Definition
    • 7.16.5.3.2 Category 2 Assets Test
    • 7.16.5.3.3 Minimum and Maximum Payable
    • 7.16.5.3.4 Category 2 Students Must Claim ABSTUDY
    • 7.16.5.3.5 Independent Students Not Eligible for ABSTUDY Living Allowance
    • 7.16.5.3.6 Adjusted Parental Income
    • 7.16.5.3.7 Current Income Concession
    • 7.16.5.3.8 Reverse Current Income Assessment
    • 7.16.5.3.9 Adjusted Parental Income
• 7.16.6 How the ABSTUDY Student Financial Supplement Loan Works
  • 7.16.6.1 Supplement is Affected by Debt Withholdings and Advance Payments
    • 7.16.6.1.1 Effect of Advance Payments
  • 7.16.6.2 Amount of Financial Supplement Can Be Offered
    • 7.16.6.2.1 Amount of Supplement Loan
    • 7.16.6.2.2 Whole Dollars Only
    • 7.16.6.2.3 Determining the Supplement Loan Eligibility Period
    • 7.16.6.2.4 Category 1 Offers
    • 7.16.6.2.5 Category 2 Offers
    • 7.16.6.2.6 Category 2 Students Undertaking Short Courses
    • 7.16.6.2.7 Mixed Category Students
    • 7.16.6.2.8 Example
    • 7.16.6.2.9 Ranges of Assistance for Category 1 Students
  • 7.16.6.3 Determining Supplement Eligibility Period and the Effect of Cut-off Dates
    • 7.16.6.3.1 Supplement Loan Payability Period
    • 7.16.6.3.2 Applications Lodged No Later Than 31 May
    • 7.16.6.3.3 Applications Lodged After 31 May and No Later Than 30 September
    • 7.16.6.3.4 Example
    • 7.16.6.3.5 Supplement Loan Applications Lodged After 30 September
    • 7.16.6.3.6 Example
    • 7.16.6.3.7 Category 2 Short Course Applications Lodged on or Before Short Course Cut Of Date
    • 7.16.6.3.8 Category 2 Short Course Applications Lodged After the Short Course Cut Off Date
    • 7.16.6.3.9 Example
    • 7.16.6.3.10 Applications After 31 December
  • 7.16.6.4 ABSTUDY Student Financial Supplement Loan Does Not Affect Other (Non Trade in) Allowances
    • 7.16.6.4.1 Category 1 students Who Trade in Some of Their PES or Living Allowance
    • 7.16.6.4.2 Category 1 Students Who Trade in all Their PES or Living Allowance
  • 7.16.6.5 How the Student is Advised of the ABSTUDY Student Financial Supplement Loan Eligibility or Change in Eligibility
    • 7.16.6.5.1 Supplement Entitlement Notice
  • 7.16.6.6 How a Student Applies for an ABSTUDY Student Financial Supplement Loan
    • 7.16.6.6.1 Student Requires a Supplement Loan Booklet
    • 7.16.6.6.2 Applying for a Supplement Loan
    • 7.16.6.6.3 Cooling Off Period
    • 7.16.6.6.4 Cooling Off – Cancelled
    • 7.16.6.6.5 Cooling Off - Waived
    • 7.16.6.6.6 Cooling Off – If Applied
    • 7.16.6.6.7 Cooling off – If Waived
    • 7.16.6.6.8 Student May Cancel the Supplement Loan Contract
    • 7.16.6.6.9 Claims Lodged after 31 December
    • 7.16.6.6.10 Loan Account with the CBA
    • 7.16.6.6.11 Proof of Identification
    • 7.16.6.6.12 100 Point Check
    • 7.16.6.6.13 Photocopies
    • 7.16.6.6.14 Options to Satisfy 100 Point Check
    • 7.16.6.6.15 Further Details
  • 7.16.6.7 Extenuating Circumstances
    • 7.16.6.7.1 Circumstances Beyond Student's Control
    • 7.16.6.7.2 Date of Receipt of Claim
    • 7.16.6.7.3 Authority to Apply Concession
  • 7.16.6.8 How the ABSTUDY Financial Supplement Loan Payments are Made
    • 7.16.6.8.1 Acceptance Transmitted to Centrelink
    • 7.16.6.8.2 Fortnightly Supplement Loan Payments Calculated
    • 7.16.6.8.3 Trade In of PES or Living Allowance
    • 7.16.6.8.4 Trade Back of PES or Living Allowance
    • 7.16.6.8.5 Supplement Loan Payments
    • 7.16.6.8.6 Which Account are Supplement Loan Payments Paid To?
    • 7.16.6.8.7 PES or Living Allowance Paid By Cheque
  • 7.16.6.9 ABSTUDY Student Financial Supplement Loan Payments not Taxable
    • 7.16.6.9.1 Introduction
    • 7.16.6.9.2 Group Certificates
    • 7.16.6.9.3 Trade Back and Group Certificates
  • 7.16.6.10 Variations in ABSTUDY and Supplement Loan Entitlements
    • 7.16.6.10.1 Amount of Supplement Loan is Subject to Reassessment
    • 7.16.6.10.2 Maximum Supplement Loan Amount Changes
    • 7.16.6.10.3 Reduction in Supplement Loan Offer After Reassessment
    • 7.16.6.10.4 Reduction in Supplement Loan Offer After Payments Have Commenced
    • 7.16.6.10.5 Increase in Supplement Loan Offer After Reassessment
    • 7.16.6.10.6 No Supplement Loan Entitlement After Reassessment
    • 7.16.6.10.7 Student’s PES or Living Allowance Ceases or the Student Ceases to be a Category 2 Student
    • 7.16.6.10.8 Voluntary Ceasing of Supplement
    • 7.16.6.10.9 Traded in PES or Living Allowance Already Paid Out
    • 7.16.6.10.10 Voluntary Increase of Supplement Loan
    • 7.16.6.10.11 Voluntary Decrease of Supplement
  • 7.16.6.11 Overpayment of the ABSTUDY Student Financial Supplement Loan
    • 7.16.6.11.1 Introduction
    • 7.16.6.11.2 Nature of Supplement Loan Overpayment
    • 7.16.6.11.3 Debt Recovery
    • 7.16.6.11.4 Death of a Student
    • 7.16.6.11.5 Further Details
• 7.16.7 Appeal Provisions
  • 7.16.7.1 ABSTUDY Students
  • 7.16.7.2 Decisions Against Which the Student Can Appeal
• 7.16.8 ABSTUDY Student Financial Supplement Debt
  • 7.16.8.1 Repaying the Financial Supplement debt
    • 7.16.8.1.1 Contract Period
    • 7.16.8.1.2 Commencement of Financial Supplement Debt Repayments
    • 7.16.8.1.3 Financial Supplement Debt Repayments After End of Contract Period
    • 7.16.8.1.4 Example
    • 7.16.8.1.5 CPI Adjustment of Financial Supplement Debt
    • 7.16.8.1.6 Supplement Statements
  • 7.16.8.2 Early Repayments
    • 7.16.8.2.1 Voluntary Repayment Before End of Contract Period
    • 7.16.8.2.2 Bonus for Early Repayments
    • 7.16.8.2.3 Example
    • 7.16.8.2.4 Choice of Year
  • 7.16.8.3 Interest Payments
    • 7.16.8.3.1 Introduction
  • 7.16.8.4 After the End of the Contract Period
    • 7.16.8.4.1 Supplement Bought Back From the CBA
    • 7.16.8.4.2 Financial Supplement Debt
  • 7.16.8.5 Procedure after Buying Back Supplement
    • 7.16.8.5.1 At End of the Contract Period
    • 7.16.8.5.2 Voluntary Repayment After the End of the Contract Period
  • 7.16.8.6 Repayment through Taxation System
    • 7.16.8.6.1 Introduction
    • 7.16.8.6.2 Level of Taxable Income
    • 7.16.8.6.3 Increases in Cost of Living
    • 7.16.8.6.4 Supplement Repayment Rates Table
    • 7.16.8.6.5 Example

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