9.5.2.10 Mutually Exclusive Payments

The term ‘educational assistance’ is not defined for the purposes of the MRCAETS.

‘Income support payment’ is defined with reference to section 23 of the Social Security Act 1991 and means a payment of:

• Social security benefit;
• Job search allowance
• Social security pension
• Youth training allowance
• Service pension
• Income support supplement

Payments defined as a ‘social security benefit’ or a ‘social security pension’ include:

• Youth allowance
• Austudy payment
• JobSeeker payment
• Special benefit
• Benefit PP (partnered)
• Parenting allowance
• Age pension
• Disability support pension
• Carer payment
• Pension PP (single)
• Sole parent pension
• Special needs pension

Carer Payment and Carer Allowance

The Carer Payment is an income support payment paid by Services Australia for people aged between 16 and age-pension age who are unable to work due to the demands of their caring role. The Carer Payment is income and assets tested. Students who turn 16 years of age and have eligibility for both Carer Pension and DVA’s education allowance must choose between them as they are mutually exclusive payments.

The Carer Allowance is a supplementary fortnightly payment for parents or carers providing additional daily care to an adult or dependent child with a disability or medical condition, or to someone who is frail aged. This allowance is not income or assets tested and is non-taxable. A student can elect to receive the Carer Allowance without it affecting their Education Allowance and other benefits under the Schemes.

Disability Support Pension

The Disability Support Pension is an income support payment paid by Services Australia for people who are unable to work physical, intellectual or psychiatric impairments.  Students who have eligibility for both Disability Support Pension and a DVA education allowance must choose between them as they are mutually exclusive payments.

Family Tax Benefit (FTB)

FTB is mutually exclusive with an education allowance for students aged 16 years and over. Students aged under 16 years can receive both a DVA education allowance and FTB.

Students over 16 who are eligible to receive an education allowance under the MRCAETS but elect to receive FTB instead are still eligible for other benefits under the Schemes such as guidance, counselling, special assistance and additional tuition.