13.2.5 Course Coverage
See paragraph 2.7 of the Instruments
A student may receive benefits under the Schemes if they are undertaking:
(a) general primary or secondary education; or
(b) a tertiary course of education or study that would qualify the student for a youth allowance under Part 2.11 of the Social Security Act 1991 (SSA); or
(c) a course of tertiary study that would not qualify the student for a youth allowance under Part 2.11 of the SSA, but which:
(i) the Commission considers essential for achievement of the student’s vocational aim; and
(ii) no other tertiary course that would qualify the student for a youth allowance under Part 2.11 of the SSA is suitable or available.
Note: On 6 May 2014, the Commissions noted that Apprentices and Trainees meet the eligibility criteria for an eligible child under the VEA and eligible young person under the MRCA and consequently approved the inclusion of apprenticeships and traineeships under the VCES and MRCAETS.
A student will be eligible to receive education allowances for a full time course of study if it is a course that would qualify them for youth allowance – this includes courses offered online. Section 10 of the Student Assistance (Education Institutions and Courses) Determination 2009 (No.2) contains a list of courses that are approved courses – that is courses that will qualify a student to receive youth allowance.
The document has several Schedules attached that are relevant to VCES and MRCAETS. Schedule 2 lists the general types of courses that are approved (ie, Bachelor, Masters bridging course). Schedule 3 lists Masters courses that are also considered tertiary courses.
PhD Courses
PhD level courses (with the one exception of Juris doctor courses) are not included as approved tertiary courses in the Student Assistance (Education Institutions and Courses) Determination 2009 (No.2). They are not courses that qualify a student for youth allowance and, therefore, a student undertaking these courses will generally not qualify for payments under the Schemes.
The one exception to this is where the Commissions approve a course of study on the basis it is essential to achieve the student’s vocational aim. In such an instance, the student must provide DVA with a letter from the university or study institution stating the course is essential to achieving their vocational aim. In most instances, study at a PhD or Masters level is not considered essential.
The following websites may be useful in determining accredited higher education institutions and courses (including TAFE courses) http://cricos.education.gov.au/
Honours Courses
Study at an Honours level is normally considered to be a continuation of an approved course, but this varies from university to university. The delegate will therefore confirm with the University that the Honours course offered is a continuation of the Bachelors degree to assist in determining whether education allowance can be paid.
Courses that do not lead to a tertiary qualification
Generally, post-schooling courses that do not lead to a recognised tertiary qualification are not eligible for support under the schemes. However, in exceptional circumstances where both:
a) the course is essential for the achievement of the student's vocational aim, and
b) no other course of tertiary study that would qualify the student for a youth allowance under Part 2.11 of the SSA is "suitable or available"
some consideration may be given to a non-certificate course to maintain eligibility under the Schemes.
In the most cases, there will be an available course that also meets the students vocational aim and would qualify the student for youth allowance under the SSA. However, in some rare cases where the student has a recognised disability or similar, these tertiary courses may not be suitable for the student to undertake.
An example: A student's mental health conditions prohibit them from undertaking a course with a formal tertiary qualification attached due to their inability to cope with the required contact hours of that course. They have found a training course with a provider that will provide them the skills another way that is less onerous, but provides them with a qualification that is not recognised by the relevant tertiary accreditation body in their State.
Provided the client is aware of the nature of their qualification, and they are able to show that the skills or learnings they recieve from this course will be recognised by potential employers (and thus remains "essential to their vocational aim"), DVA may be able to say that because the tertiary courses are not suitable, the legislative provisions are met for the alternative course to entitle eligibility under the Schemes.
In these cases, the Family Policy team should be contacted to investigate whether Education Scheme support may still be appropriate before any decision is made.