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Approved courses of study for YA are listed in the Student Assistance (Education Institutions and Courses) Determination.
Example: The types of courses approved for YA include:
Act reference: SSAct section 541B(5) Meaning of approved course of education or study
Student Assistance (Education Institutions and Courses) Determination 2009 (No. 2) under the Student Assistance Act 1973 subsections 3(1) and 5D(1)
A student is not considered full-time while taking unrelated subjects that are not included in the Student Assistance (Education Institutions and Courses) Determination. However, they may still qualify for YA while taking these subjects if they have been incorporated in their EPP (1.1.E.103) or activity agreement.
Where it can be demonstrated that an institution is seeking accreditation for a course, or for the institution itself, from State authorities, YA job seeker recipients may be permitted to enter into an EPP which outlines their full-time studies in the course or institution as the sole activity. This EPP may be negotiated for a maximum of 6 months, with no extensions permitted. If accreditation for the course or institution has not been granted within this period, the person must negotiate a new EPP as a job seeker. The recipients will not be able to access the higher personal income free area or Income Bank for the period of their EPP, as they will not be regarded as a full-time student in an approved course.
Mainstream Doctorate level courses or a qualification of the same standing are not approved courses for YA (students). Masters courses that are not specified in Schedule 3 of the Student Assistance (Education Institutions and Courses) Determination are NOT approved courses for YA (students) purposes. However, students may still be approved for part of courses that lead to unapproved Master's degree courses, for example integrated Bachelor/unapproved Master's degree courses, excluding the year(s) that exceed the normal full-time duration of the related bachelor degree course.
Where a student is enrolled in and undertaking a non-approved course (e.g. an unapproved Masters degree course) which has a 'nested' degree structure that allows the student to exit the course early and be granted a lower level award (e.g. a graduate diploma) the student is generally eligible for YA while completing the units required for the lower level award.
In some cases, it may be possible for studies leading to a Master's degree in an unapproved Masters course or Doctorate to be incorporated into an EPP as part of a combination of approved activities.
Example: An unapproved Masters course student's or a Doctorate student's activity load might include:
While secondary study remains an approved course of study under the Student Assistance (Education Institutions and Courses) Determination from 1 January 2012, dependent young people undertaking full-time secondary study will not be able to apply for YA until they turn 18, unless they:
Young people in receipt of YA on 31 December 2011 can choose to remain on YA if they remain eligible or instead, relinquish their YA payment and have their parent(s) claim FTB for them from 1 January 2012 if their parent is otherwise eligible for FTB.
Particular care is required in assessing year 13 students because of the range of courses commonly referred to as year 13. Courses at this level are regarded as either:
In both cases student status is determined by the normal requirements for full-time secondary study.
Act reference: Student Assistance (Education Institutions and Courses) Determination 2009 (No. 2)
Policy reference: SS Guide 3.2.7.30 YA Full-time Students, 3.2.7.60 YA Study-load - Full-time Secondary Students, 1.2.7.90 Fares Allowance (FAA) - Description
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Last reviewed: 3 January 2012
