1.1.Q.40 Qualifying study (Austudy, YA, PES, FAA)

Definition: Austudy, YA (full-time student) & PES

For the purposes of Austudy, YA (full-time student) and PES, a recipient is undertaking 'qualifying study' if:

• they are enrolled (1.1.E.110) in a course, OR
• they are a continuing student intending to enrol in a course of education at an educational institution, AND
• the course is an approved course of education or study (1.1.A.210), AND
• the recipient is a full-time student or a concessional study-load student (1.1.C.290), AND
• the recipient's progress is satisfactory (1.1.S.30).

Act reference: SSAct section 569A Undertaking qualifying study (Austudy), section 541B Undertaking full-time study (YA), section 1061PB Undertaking qualifying study (PES)

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.8.3.10 Qualification for PES, 3.3.3.10 Qualification for Austudy

Definition: YA (job seeker) - early school leavers (1.1.E.05)

For the purpose of YA (job seeker), an early school leaver is undertaking qualifying study if:

• they are enrolled (1.1.E.110) in a course, AND
• the course is determined under section 5D of the Student Assistance Act 1973 as a secondary or tertiary course, AND
• in the Secretary's opinion, the course would assist or allow the person to complete the final year of secondary school or an equivalent level of education (Certificate Level II).

Act reference: SSAct section 544DA Youth Allowance Employment Pathway Plans-early school leavers

NOT undertaking qualifying study - PES

A person cannot be regarded as undertaking qualifying study if they:

• are employed on a full-time basis as an apprentice or trainee, OR
• have completed a course for:
  • a degree of Master or Doctorate or a qualification of the same standing at an educational institution, OR
  • a qualification of Master or Doctorate or a qualification of the same standing at an overseas educational institution.

Act reference: SSAct section 1061PB(2) Persons not undertaking qualifying study

Definition: FAA

For the purposes of FAA, a student is regarded as undertaking qualifying study if they are:

• a student undertaking an approved tertiary course at an Australian institution within Australia (1.1.A.320), as set out in Schedule 2 of the Ministerial Determination of Education Institutions and Courses under subsections 3(1) and 5D(1) of the Student Assistance Act 1973, and
• receiving ONE of the following:
  • YA as a full-time (1.1.F.230) student, or
  • YA as a student who does not meet full-time requirements, but whose only activity test requirement is study in an approved course, or
  • PES or Austudy as a full-time or concessional study-load student (1.1.C.290).

Act reference: SSAct section 19A Fares allowance definitions, section 1061ZAAA Qualification for fares allowance

Less than 75% of full-time study

YA (full-time student) is not available to students who are undertaking less than 75% of a full-time study-load as full-time students. However, FAA is available to such students, if they are assessed as unable to undertake any other activity in addition to their study.

Explanation: Most students who come within this category will be students with disabilities that do not qualify them for DSP. As a result they do not qualify for PES, but their disability sufficiently restricts the amount of study they are able to undertake, that imposing further activity test (1.1.A.40) requirements would compromise their study.

Example: Sue is a visually impaired student who is required to live away from home to study. She is receiving YA because her impairment is not severe enough to be granted DSP. Because of her impairment she is only able to undertake 25% of a full-time study-load. The time she requires for course preparation and assessment prohibits her from undertaking other activities such as job search and she is exempted from other activity test requirements. Under YA she is not regarded as a full-time student, because she is not undertaking 75% of the full-time study-load. However, because her only activity test requirement is study, she is eligible for FAA.

_______________________________________________________

Last reviewed: 3 January 2012