C45/2005 Veterans' Children Education Scheme (VCES) Rates of Education Allowance for 2006

Purpose

This instruction is to advise the rates of education allowance for VCES in 2006.

Allowance rates

Attachment A sets out the increased rates of education allowance.  Attachment B sets out the basis for indexing or increasing each education allowance rate.

Date of Effect

These rates are effective from payday 5 January 2006.

Contact Officer

The contact officer for enquires on these rates is Brian Eastman, Veterans' Compensation Branch, National Office on (02) 6289 6348.

Students

At Home

$

Living Away from Home  $

Homeless

$

Under 16 years

41.40

277.94

334.70

16 – 17 years

183.20

334.70

334.70

18 years and over

220.30

334.70

334.70

Double Orphans

$

Under 16

182.60

16 - 20 years

334.70

21 years and over

406.50

Age/Education Level

Basis for Indexing / Increasing VCES Rate

Primary students

indexed annually in line with CPI for the previous financial year (in accordance with the provisions of section 1191(1) table item 3A of the Social Security Act 1991)

Secondary/tertiary students aged under 16 and living at home

indexed annually in line with CPI for the previous financial year (in accordance with the provisions of section 1191(1) table item 3A of the Social Security Act 1991)

Secondary/tertiary students aged under 16 and living away from home

aligned with the rate for Assistance to Isolated Children (AIC) as determined by the Department of Education, Science and Training

Secondary/tertiary students aged over 16 and living at home or away from home

increased annually and aligned with the maximum rates for Youth Allowance as determined by the Department of Family and Community Services under part 3.5 of the Social Security Act 1991

Secondary/tertiary homeless students

increased annually and aligned to the maximum rate for Youth Allowance for people who are independent as determined by the Department of Family and Community Services under point 1067G-B3 of the Social Security Act 1991

Double orphans aged under 16

set by using formula:  VCES double orphan education allowance rate for 16 to 20 year olds less the amount of the double orphan's pension

Double orphans aged 16 to 20

the equivalent of  the Youth Allowance rate for 18 years and over living away from home

Double orphans aged 21 and over

the equivalent of the maximum rate of Youth Allowance Special Rate

Double orphans at “frozen” rates

students on “frozen rates” remain on that rate until such time as the frozen amount is equivalent to, or less than, the DO rate that they would be entitled to due to age

(Refer to C31/98 for origin of and need for “frozen” rates)