9.8.6 Entitlements during retraining/further education

Incapacity Payments

During a period of retraining which is approved under a rehabilitation plan, and provided the client is fully participating in their retraining, their incapacity entitlements should continue to be calculated on the same basis as if they were not working.

From 1 November 2018 to 30 June 2023, a client undertaking approved full-time study as part of their rehabilitation program may have been eligible to receive incapacity payments at a rate of 100% of their normal earnings. Historical information about the pilot can be found in chapter 16 in this library.
 

Payment of mandatory course fees

Where a client has met their obligations as part of their approved study, DVA will fund all fees required as part of that approved course of study. This includes for example, student contribution or tuition fees (where Commonwealth assistance is being accessed), student services or amenities fees, apprenticeship course fees, and other fees such as administration or examination fees.

Please note, this does not include non-mandatory or penalty fees. Examples of these include:  

  • fees for joining a professional body that is associated with the course of study, though not a mandatory requirement;
  • penalty fees associated with late library returns, or replacing lost or damaged equipment;
  • funding permits to enable the client to park their vehicle at the educational institution.

Where a further education course was approved after 29 May 2017, course fees need to be included as a third party costs to a rehabilitation plan in R&C ISH. Refer to section 9.8.4 in this library for specific information about paying education course fees.


Necessary aids and appliances

Aids and appliances may be provided where these items are reasonably required (as a result of a service related injury/ies) to assist a client to safely undertake an approved course of study. The policy guidelines on the provision of aids and appliances can be found in chapter 10 in this library.
 

Incidentals allowance

Clients undertaking study approved as part of their rehabilitation can access an incidentals allowance, to assist with funding the cost of incidentals that may be required as part of their study. Provision of receipts is not required for the incidentals allowance to be paid but payment of the allowance needs to be added as a case note to the client's R&C ISH case.

An incidentals allowance at the following rate is payable to clients:

  • $500 per annum for clients undertaking a course of part time study recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF); or
  • $1000 per annum for clients undertaking a course of full-time study recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF); or
  • For clients undertaking secondary education, where the course of study is either an accredited senior secondary certificate of education (or equivalent) or a preparatory course for the purpose of enrolling in a related award course, incidentals allowance is payable at the following rate:
    • $500 per annum for relevant study undertaken part time
    • $1000 per annum for relevant study undertaken full time

The incidentals allowance must be paid in equal instalments at the commencement of each study period. The client's status as either a full-time or part-time student shall be determined by reference to the definitions of full-time and part-time used by the institution at which they are enrolled. The table below provides more information about how the amount of incidentals allowance can be calculated for eligible clients:

This table shows the calculations for paying incidental allowances for each qualification type
Qualification TypeAQF LevelCalculating the incidentals allowance payable

Accredited senior secondary certificate of education (or equivalent)

Relevant preparatory course

Certificate I*
Certificate II*
Certificate III*
Certificate IV*
Diploma*
Advanced Diploma*
Associate Degree*
Bachelor Degree*

*not undertaken as part of an apprenticeship

 

Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
>Level 5

FULL-TIME STUDY LOAD

  • Where two semesters will be undertaken in a calendar year:
    $1000 / 2 semesters = $500 per semester
  • Where three semesters are undertaken in a calendar year:
    $1000 / 3 semesters = $333 per semester
  • Where the course is undertaken over a discrete number of weeks
    $1000 / 52 weeks p.a. x number of weeks = allowance payable
  • Where the course is undertaken over a discrete number of days
    $1000 / 365 days p.a. x number of days = allowance payable

Accredited senior secondary certificate of education (or equivalent)

Relevant preparatory course

Certificate I*
Certificate II*
Certificate III*
Certificate IV*
Diploma*
Advanced Diploma*
Associate Degree*
Bachelor Degree*

*not undertaken as part of an apprenticeship

 

Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
>Level 5

PART-TIME STUDY LOAD

  • Where two semesters will be undertaken in a calendar year:
    $500 / 2 semesters = $250 per semester
  • Where three semesters are undertaken in a calendar year:
    $500 / 3 semesters = $167 per semester
  • Where the course is undertaken over a discrete number of weeks
    $500 / 52 weeks p.a. x number of weeks = allowance payable
  • Where the course is undertaken over a discrete number of days
    $500 / 365 days p.a. x number of days = allowance payable
Certificate II*
Certificate III*
Certificate IV*
Diploma*
Advanced Diploma*

* undertaken as part of an apprenticeship		Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6

APPRENTICESHIP

Where a person is undertaking study as part of an apprenticeship, they can access $1000 per annum of incidentals allowance. This allowance is intended to go towards the cost of any tools or equipment required as part of their apprenticeship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation-policy-library/9-vocational-rehabilitation/98-retraining-and-further-education/986-entitlements-during-retrainingfurther-education

Last amended