9.5.4.2 Varying payment at age 16

Students who are 16 or older at the time of claim or were previously receiving a DVA education allowance and who transferred to FTB when they turned 16 have ongoing eligibility under DVA’s education schemes. For these students who wish to return to the MRCAETS for their tertiary studies, following a Services Australia clearance, payments will commence from the first payday in January in accordance with the MRCAETS Instrument.

For students who were receiving FTB and wish to apply for a DVA education allowance (but have not previously applied for or been receiving a DVA education allowance) for their tertiary studies, payments will commence from the date the student actually commences their tertiary studies but can then be back dated from the first payday in January, provided the student meets all other eligibility criteria from 1 January. This is because the eligibility requirements for payment under the Instrument are not satisfied until the student commences study. However, once the eligibility requirements under of the Instrument are satisfied, payment can be backdated from 1 January. 

Delegates must also make a new decision on who receives the education allowance.