8.1.2 SJFA & JCCB Recipients Undertaking Courses of Study & Training

Introduction

This section explains the circumstances in which courses of study (1.1.S.140) and training (1.1.T.55) entered into prior to 1 July 2006 will continue to be supported by JETCCFA.

JETCCFA will be available to existing SJFA (1.1.S.93) and JCCB (1.1.J.10) recipients at 30 June 2006, who are undertaking courses of study or training of longer than 12 months duration, for the period it takes to finish the course providing the student remains eligible for JETCCFA.

The definition of 'undertaking courses of study or training' for this purpose includes:

• term or semester breaks from study (e.g. because of a mid-year vacation in the course), and
• people who received JET child care payments to undertake a course of study but who are not currently studying due to 'exceptional circumstances' and therefore whose assistance has been effectively suspended for the course as at 30 June 2006.

'Exceptional circumstances' include those in which students or trainees have commenced a course but:

• subsequently deferred from the course listed in their JET child care participation plan (1.1.J.20) with a course end date of after 30 June 2006, or
• subsequently deferred from the course listed in their JET child care participation plan and as a result of deferring their course now have a revised course end date after 30 June 2006, or
• have an illness that prevents them from completing their course, or
• have other circumstances beyond their control that prevent them from completing their course.

All claims under the 'exceptional circumstances' provisions must be supported by evidence that can be verified, for instance claims under the illness provision must be supported by a medical certificate for the period concerned.

If person is undertaking a course of longer than 12 months duration & was not receiving SJFA or JCCB on 30 June

If a person was undertaking a course of study or training of longer than 12 months duration between 1 May 2006 and 29 June 2006, AND:

• the person received SJFA or JCCB at any time in the same period,

JETCCFA will be available for the period it takes to finish the course providing:

• the person re-enrols in the same course (i.e. a course with the same award title) in the period 1 July 2006 to 31 August 2006, AND
• the person remains eligible for JETCCFA from the date of re-enrolment.

Changes to courses

A JETCCFA recipient who satisfies the above provisions, who changes to a course of study or training with a different award title after 30 June 2006, then the new course of study or training will be subject to the JETCCFA activity limit for courses of study or training.

Example: Mary undertakes a Bachelor of Science degree on 6 February 2006. Mary changes her course from a Bachelor of Science to a Bachelor of Medical Science on 24 July 2006. As the new course was entered into after 30 June 2006 and the title of the new course is different from the previous course, Mary's choice of course on 24 July 2006 is subject to the JETCCFA activity limit for courses of study or training. As the Bachelor of Medical Science degree is a course of longer than 12 months duration, Mary is ineligible to receive JETCCFA for activities related to her new course.

However, JETCCFA will be available to existing SJFA and JCCB recipients who satisfy the above provisions and continue their study in the same course, but at a higher level, after 30 June 2006.

Example: Mary undertakes a Bachelor of Science degree then changes her course from a Bachelor of Science to a Master of Science. If Mary continues to meet the JETCCFA eligibility requirements (including grandfathered status) then Mary would continue to be eligible for JETCCFA for the Master of Science. This is because it is a continuation of the same subject and not a new course.

Similarly, if a person satisfies the above provisions, and changes units within a course of study or training where the award title of the course remains the same the person will continue to be eligible for JETCCFA.

Example: Mark undertakes a Bachelor of Science degree and changes his major within his course from mathematics to statistics. As changing the major subject within his course does not change the title of the award/degree, Mark will continue to receive JETCCFA for the duration of the course providing he is otherwise eligible.

Verification for JCCB recipients

A person who was receiving JCCB as at 30 June 2006 and subsequently applies for JETCCFA, to be able to continue a course of longer than 12 months duration under these provisions will need to provide evidence that they were undertaking a course of study or training of longer than 12 months duration at 30 June 2006. This can include a statement from the institution where the study or training is being undertaken.

Policy reference: FA Guide 1.1.J.10 JET child care benefit (JCCB), 1.1.J.20 JET child care participation plans (SJFA), 1.1.S.93 Special JET fee assistance (SJFA), 1.1.S.140 Study (JETCCFA), 1.1.T.55 Training (JETCCFA)

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Last reviewed: 7 December 2009