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 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.

This study must be undertaken on a full time basis.

A student undertaking part time study may be deemed to be studying full time under the Schemes where:

(a)the Commission is satisfied that the amount of study that the student must complete in order to finish a course constitutes less than one year full-time study; or

(b)through geographical isolation, the student is unable to take advantage of full-time study facilities; or

(c)for health, economic or academic reasons, the student has shown ability to undertake full-time studies but needs to study part-time temporarily.

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.  Section 10 of the Student Assistance (Education Institutions and Courses) Determination 2009 (No.2) (November 2009) contains a list of courses that are approved courses – that is – courses that will qualify a student to receive youth allowance:

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/comlaw/Legislation/LegislativeInstrument1.nsf/0/5F1A41BF5470D7F4CA257678000E983F?OpenDocument

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 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 not qualify for VCES payments.

The one exception to this is where the Board approves a course of study on the basis that it is essential to achievement of the student's vocational aim.  In such an instance, it will be necessary for the Board to acquire a letter from the university or study institution stating that the course is essential to achievement of the student's vocational aim.  In most instances, study at a PhD or Masters level is not considered essential.

The EAS database contains a list provided by Centrelink of all accredited educational institutions within Australia.  Additionally, the following websites may be useful in determining accredited higher education institutions and courses (including TAFE courses). http://www.goingtouni.gov.au/Main/CoursesAndProviders/ProvidersAndCourses/HigherEducationProviders/Default.htm

http://www.aqf.edu.au/RegisterAccreditation/AQFRegister/tabid/174/Default.aspx

Study at an honours level is considered to be a continuation of an approved course.  For example, if a student has undertaken a Bachelor of Arts degree and is enrolled in the Honours course for that degree, it will be considered to be an approved course.