13.2.6.1 Mutually Exclusive Payments
‘Educational assistance’ and ‘income support’ are not defined under the Instruments.
‘Income support payment’ is defined in s 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 (s 23 of the Social Security Act 1991):
- Youth allowance;
- Austudy payment
- JobSeeker payment
- Special benefit
- Mature age allowance
- Mature age partner allowance
- 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 by Services Australia that provides financial support to people aged between 16 and Age pension age who are unable to work in substantial paid employment because they provide full time daily care to someone with a severe disability or medical condition, or to someone who is frail aged. 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 financial support paid by Services Australia for people who have a physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition that prevents them from working 15 hours or more per week or who are permanently blind. Disability Support Pension may be paid to individuals aged between 16 years of age and Age Pension Age. Students who turn 16 years of age and 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)
Under s 22A of the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999, 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 who are eligible to receive an education allowance under the Schemes but elect to receive FTB instead are still eligible for other benefits under the Schemes such as guidance, counselling, special assistance and additional tuition.