3.4 Approved Studies

To be eligible for assistance a student must be enrolled in and undertaking a full-time study load (see 3.4.2) at an approved level of study (see 3.4.5) in an approved course (see 3.4.4) offered by an approved institution (see 3.4.3).

A full-time study load is the amount of work the school, institution or State or Territory education authority (in the case of home schooling) regards as a full-time amount for the student. This includes where a school allows a student with a disability or other health-related condition to carry a study load that is less than that undertaken by other students at the same level (see Example 2 under 4.3.7).

In the event that a student’s right to attend a school has been temporarily withdrawn as a result of disciplinary matters, they will be deemed to be undertaking the same study load as would occur if they were otherwise able to attend school.  However, should a student’s conduct result in cessation of enrolment from the school that they were attending, the student will be deemed to have ceased studies from the date that this cessation occurs

For the purposes of 3.4.1 an approved institution is an institution in Australia excluding Norfolk Island, that is:

• Institution type (a): a state school, including a distance education centre; or
• Institution type (b): a non-state school that is not conducted for profit. The school must be recognised by the Minister responsible for education in the relevant State/Territory. This recognition may take the form of registration or certification, the payment of government capital or recurrent grants to the school, or the payment of State/Territory government allowances or bursaries to its students; or
• Institution type (c): a technical and further education institution or higher education institution (as defined in the Act ); or 
• Institution type (d): a government residential institution or non-residential special school that caters for children with disabilities or psychological, emotional or behavioural problems; or
• Institution type (e): a non-government residential institution or non-residential special school that caters for children with disabilities or psychological, emotional or behavioural problems, provided that it is accredited for such purposes by Australian Government or State/Territory health and/or education authorities; or
• Institution type (f): a non-government (private) tertiary institution that offers a course accredited by the relevant State/Territory government authority, and meets the requirements of the determination of courses approved by the Minister under Section 5D of the Act.

Students undertaking a course described in 3.4.4(e) may be deemed to be enrolled in an approved institution.

For the purposes of 3.4.1, an approved course is:

1. a full-time primary or secondary level course (see 3.4.5) involving daily attendance at an approved institution (see 3.4.3);
2. a full-time primary or secondary level (see 3.4.5) distance education course offered by an approved institution of the type at 3.4.3 (a), or of the type at 3.4.3 (b), provided that the course is accepted by the relevant State/Territory education authorities as a satisfactory alternative to full-time daily attendance at school;
3. a full-time primary or secondary level course of home tuition that has been approved formally by the relevant State/Territory education authority as being a satisfactory alternative to a State provided education;
4. any other full-time secondary course at an approved institution (see 3.4.3), that is recognised under the Determination of Educational Institutions and Courses made by the Minister under section 3(1) and 5D(1) of the Act;
5. a full-time tertiary course offered by an approved institution (see 3.4.3 (c) or (f)), that is recognised under the Determination of Educational Institutions and Courses made by the Minister under section 3(1) and 5D(1) of the Act, in the case of a student at an approved institution specified in 3.4.3 (d) or (e), any form of approved full-time study below tertiary level (including ungraded studies).
    

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 an approved course at an approved level of study.

For the purposes of 3.4.1, an approved level of study is primary, secondary, tertiary or ungraded as defined below:

• primary level study is study in an approved course at a level that is recognised by the State/Territory education authorities as primary level (see 3.3.1 for clarification of the primary school entry level);
• secondary level study is study in an approved course of the type at 3.4.4 (d) or in an approved course that is recognised by the State or Territory education authorities as secondary level;
• tertiary level study is study in an approved course of the type at 3.4.4 (e) or in an approved course that is recognised by the authority responsible for the accreditation of higher education courses or the authority responsible for the accreditation of vocational education and training courses in the State or Territory in which the course is conducted; and
• ungraded level study is study in an approved course at an institution described in 3.4.3(d) or 3.4.3(e) that is recognised as ungraded (including ‘living skills’) by the State/Territory education or health authorities.

Students undertaking concurrent study at both a senior secondary institution and an accredited TAFE institution are considered to be secondary students for AIC (under Youth Allowance such students may be considered to be tertiary students).

Preschool students (see 3.3.1) are generally not eligible for AIC.  A concession is available for students with a disability or other health related condition who are required to live away from home, because of their condition (see 3.3.1).

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 an approved course at an approved level of study.  AIC Pensioner Education Supplement has prerequisites that limit eligibility to primary students only (see 5.5.3).

Previous study at primary, secondary or tertiary (including TAFE) level does not effect eligibility for AIC in respect of a student.