3.2.3.40 Start Day for YA (Full-time Student or Australian Apprentice)

Summary

1.1.P.460 and 8.3 explain the definition and general rules that apply to all payments, including YA (full-time student). This topic discusses issues around determining the start day for a student or an Australian apprentice claiming YA (full-time student).

Act reference: SS(Admin)Act schedule 2 Rules for working out start day

Policy reference: SS Guide 1.1.P.460 Provisional commencement day, 8.3 Start Days

Start day for student serving a liquid assets test waiting period

If a person makes a claim for YA and the person is serving a liquid assets test waiting period when the claim is made the claim is taken to be made on the first day on which the person is qualified for YA.

Act reference: SS(Admin)Act schedule 2 clause 4(6) If a person makes a claim for NSA or YA

Start day for student whose YA payment is cancelled

If a student's payment is cancelled because the person has not complied with a notice or a compliance period applies to the person and the person lodges a claim for YA within 14 days after the day on which the cancellation took effect, the person's start day for YA is the day after the cancellation day.

Act reference: SS(Admin)Act schedule 2 clause 15 Certain persons subject to cancellation of Austudy, NSA, YA or SpB, section 63(4) Requirement to attend Department etc., section 63(5) Requirement to attend Department etc.

Special provisions - NSA recipients aged 21 or over enrolling in a course

The following provisions apply to NSA recipients aged 21 or over, enrolling in a course of full-time study of more than 12 months duration:

• They qualify for YA from the date of course commencement.
• Payment commences when the person enrols in and starts the course, NOT before. The person's reporting cycle may change as they now satisfy the activity test through full-time study.
• They may be entitled to the higher rate of YA for long-term income support students. This rate is payable to single and partnered people without children, who have received income support for 26 weeks out of the last 39 weeks.

Act reference: SSAct section 1067F Long term income support student

Special provisions - NSA recipients aged 21-24 years undertaking a full-time Australian apprenticeship

The following provisions apply to NSA recipients aged 21 or over, undertaking a full-time Australian apprenticeship:

• They qualify for YA from the date their Commonwealth registration number in respect to the full-time Australian apprenticeship commences.
• They may be entitled to the special higher rate of YA for long-term income support recipients. This rate is payable to single and partnered people without children, who have received income support for 6 out of the last 9 months.

Act reference: SSAct section 1067 Definitions, section 540AA Qualification for youth allowance-new apprentices

Special provisions - young people aged 15-25 entering full-time education from the workforce & early school leavers (1.1.E.05) aged 15-20

The following provisions apply to ALL young people aged 15-25 entering full-time education from the workforce:

• They qualify from the date of course commencement or date of claim, whichever is later, as long as their cessation of employment is considered reasonable by the Secretary.
• There is no minimum requirement for length of the course.
• If they are under 21 years old, and their course does not start immediately, they may need to satisfy the activity test in other ways (see example).
• If they are 21 or over, they cannot qualify until the course starts. If they wish to claim income support in the interim period, they need to claim NSA. This may limit their options however, as they cannot transfer to YA if the course duration is less than 12 months.

Example 1: David is 20 years old, has completed the final year of secondary school and intends to start studying full-time in 2009. He leaves work in November 2008 in preparation for his studies as his employer prefers that he leaves before the Christmas break. David claims YA in November 2008. He is eligible for YA before he begins his course in March 2009 if he satisfies the activity test by job search or a combination of approved activities. From March 2009, he satisfies the activity test by full-time study and he gains access to the higher income free area and income bank.

Example 2: Elizabeth is a 17 year old early school leaver who intends to start studying full-time in 2010. Elizabeth is retrenched in November 2009 and claims YA in November 2009. Elizabeth is eligible for YA (job seeker) before she begins her course in February 2010 if she satisfies the activity test through a combination of approved activities. Approved activities for early school leavers do not include compulsory job search (1.1.S.410).

Special provisions - Australian apprentices

Australian apprentices must have a current Commonwealth registration number in relation to a full-time apprenticeship, traineeship or trainee apprenticeship under the scheme known as 'Australian Apprentices', but does not include a person whose registration number is suspended.

Australian apprentices may claim YA after commencing work but have not yet been issued with a Commonwealth registration number in relation to their Australian apprenticeship. The new claim application may be suspended without rejection while waiting for the Commonwealth registration to be provided.

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Last reviewed: 2 November 2009