Generally AIC can only be paid in respect of students who:
- have reached the minimum primary school entry age; and
- are primary, secondary or ungraded level students (see 3.4.5) under 19 years of age on
1 January of the year of study; or
- are tertiary level students (see 3.4.5) and under either the minimum age that the state or territory requires them to participate in education or 16 years of age, whichever is the greater.
Students are normally eligible for AIC only if they have reached the minimum primary school entry age for the State or Territory in which they will be attending school. However, a child may be eligible for an allowance from the age of 3 years and 6 months if he or she has a disability or other health-related condition that requires him or her to live away from the principal family home (see 4.3).
The first year of primary schooling is known by various names in different States, but always equates to a five day per week or fulltime program. The first year of primary school is known as (as per Attachment A):
- Kindergarten (NSW, ACT)
- Preparatory (VIC, TAS)
- Reception (SA)
- Transition (NT)
- Pre-primary (WA)
- Year 1 (QLD).
AIC is not payable for children before they enter one of the programs as listed above. That is, AIC is not payable for children attending institutions outside the mainstream primary system such as pre-schools (a term commonly used in NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, NT and the ACT), kindergartens (a term commonly used in VIC, QLD, WA, SA, and TAS), crèches and other child care centres.
If the child is not yet 5 years old, the assessor must be satisfied that the student attends a primary school rather than a child care centre.
Concessions to the maximum age rules are detailed in 3.3.2
Note: From 2004 to 2006, students who are enrolled at a Queensland school which is participating in the Queensland full-time Preparatory Year trial are deemed to meet the minimum age criteria and be participating in approved course at an approved level of study.
The maximum age limit for primary, secondary and ungraded level students specified in 3.3.1 may be extended by one year (i.e. the student must be under 20 years of age at 1 January in the year of study) if the student’s progress through school has been delayed by special circumstances. Examples of special circumstances include:
- illness;
- English language difficulties;
- transfer from a different education system; or
- periods of employment or training.
Any special circumstances that have delayed a student’s progress should be considered sympathetically. A table depicting primary and secondary school structure by State and Territory indicates progressions of students through different systems, at Attachment A.
A student who receives a Disability Support Pension or Parenting Payment (single) and is studying full-time at primary or equivalent ungraded level (see 3.4.5) may receive the Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) under AIC until they turn 21 (see 5.5).
Secondary and tertiary students may be eligible for Youth Allowance from age 16. Primary, secondary or tertiary students may be eligible for ABSTUDY if they are aged 14 or over from 1 January of the year of study (see 3.5.4).