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This topic describes the following issues relating to Austudy progress rules for tertiary study:
Progress of tertiary students is measured against the minimum amount of time (1.1.M.140) it would normally take a student to complete a course either full-time (1.1.F.230) or part-time (1.1.P.100), as appropriate. Study in courses at the same level (1.1.L.40) are all measured against the same allowable time.
Allowable time is measured against the minimum time of the tertiary course CURRENTLY being studied. Time already spent in study at the SAME LEVEL is then deducted from this limit to determine whether the recipient is still qualified for the payments.
Recipients can study a second course at the SAME level within the allowable study time rules. That is, continue to receive Austudy for any study period/s that they enrol in when there is any additional allowable time available to them to commence a second course at the same level.
Example: A recipient who completes a 3-year Bachelor Degree in 3 years and subsequently enrols in a new 3-year Bachelor Degree would be entitled to the first 6 months (1 semester) of their second course (unless enrolled in a year based subject, in which case they may be eligible for a full year). If there were no exceptional circumstances, they would then have reached the allowable study time.
The following table provides a guide to allowable time for full-time students, 66% concessional study-load students, and 25% concessional study-load students.
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If the minimum time to complete the course is… |
Then the recipient is a full-time student or a 66% concessional study-load student for… |
Then the recipient is a 25% concessional study-load student for... |
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one year or less, |
the minimum time of the course. |
Twice the minimum period in which it is possible to complete the course as a full-time student. |
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more than one year AND the subjects are all semester based, |
the minimum time of the course plus half a year. | |
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more than one year AND at least one subject in the current year is year based, |
the minimum time of the course plus one year. | |
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more than one year AND the student's further progress in the course depends on passing a whole year's work in the course, |
the minimum time of the course plus one year. |
The allowable study time for a course undertaken by a 25% concessional study-load student is generally twice the minimum period in which it is possible to complete the course as a full-time student. The Secretary may approve allowable study time of up to 4 times the minimum period in particular cases (3.3.4.40).
If a student has studied part-time for a course over a certain period, the time spent by the student on that course is taken to be the proportion of that period calculated by using the formula:
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Study undertaken Normal full-time study |
A student will cease to qualify for Austudy once they exceed the allowable study time. However, certain periods of time can be disregarded in determining whether a person has exceeded the allowable study time (for a full-time student or a concessional study-load student). These include, among others:
A full list of circumstances to be taken into account in considering whether a full-time or concessional study-load student has exceeded the allowable study time is contained in the SSAct section 569H(7).
Example: A student who has been advised that the course of study they are undertaking is being/will be permanently discontinued and, as a consequence, they will not be able to complete their course of study, may have the period of study already spent on that course disregarded from the allowable study time. Conversely, a student who chooses to discontinue a course of study because they have been advised that the course they are undertaking is being/will be permanently discontinued for future students, but they are still able to complete their course of study if they choose, will not be able to have their period of study in that course disregarded from the allowable study time.
A student can undertake one course at each of the tertiary course levels (1.1.L.40) without having their allowable time restricted by previous study.
Allowable time rules for self-paced tertiary courses are the same as those for other courses.
Students who are invited to participate in Honours study after their initial degree may have an additional year of allowable time added. Students undertaking Honours study are payable over the long vacation period as a continuing full-time student.
Different rules for allowable time apply to students with disabilities.
Act reference: SSAct section 569H(3) Allowable study time - full-time students and 66% concessional study-load students, section 569H(4) Allowable study time - 25% concessional study-load students, section 569H(5) Time spent by person studying part-time, section 569H(7) Matters to be disregarded in determining whether someone has exceeded the allowable study time
Policy reference: SS Guide 3.3.4.40 Austudy & Students with Disabilities
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Last reviewed: 1 July 2011
