Legislative Authority
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004
Chapter 5 Part 3 Division 6 Section 258
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme Instrument 2004
Stated Current Purpose/Intent
Section 258 enables the MRCC to establish a scheme to provide education assistance to eligible young persons dependent on certain deceased members and severely impaired members and former members. The scheme is called the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme and is based on the Veterans' Children Education Scheme established under the VEA.
Current Eligibility Criteria
An eligible young person who is a dependant of the following members and is in full-time education in Australia:
- a member or former member who is, or was at some time before his or her death, eligible for the Special Rate Disability Pension (SRDP) or for maximum permanent impairment compensation under the MRCA; or
- a deceased member whose death has been accepted as related to ADF service on or after 1 July 2004 under the MRCA.
Date of Introduction
1 July 2004 (Scheme approved by Minister August 2004)
Original Purpose/Intent
The original intention has not changed.
| Significant Changes in Criteria or Purpose Since Introduction | |
|---|---|
| 2010 | From 1 January 2010 eligible students enrolled in an approved scholarship course at a higher education institution can receive a Student Start-Up Scholarship. In addition, those living away from home or in receipt of the homeless or orphan rates can receive a Relocation Scholarship. |
| 2012 | Clean energy advance payable for the period 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 for eligible recipients. |
| 2013 | Indexation of the student start-up scholarship is paused for 4 years from 1 January 2013. The next indexation date is 1 January 2017. From January 2013, Schoolkids Bonus payable each January and July for those in receipt of education allowance on 1 January or 30 June and at school. This is paid under social security and family assistance legislation. Also payable to Department of Human Services Family Tax Benefit clients. From March 2013, Income Support Bonus payable each March and September for 16 year olds and over and certain eligible under 16 year old students in receipt of education allowance on 20 March or 20 September and in secondary or tertiary education. It is for those relying mainly on government allowances and is to help with unexpected expenses. Also payable to Department of Human Services allowance clients such as Newstart and ABSTUDY. A second clean energy advance payable in July 2013 for the period 1 July 2013 to 31 December 2013. |
| 2014 | Clean energy supplement commenced 1 January 2014 for eligible recipients. Clean energy supplement replaced by energy supplement commenced 20 September 2014. |
| 2020 | The Coronavirus Supplement commenced from 27 April 2020. It was initially payable for a six month period, but was extended twice, at reduced rates, finally ceasing on 31 March 2021. The rates of payment over time were:
The Coronavirus Supplement formed part of the Government’s response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was payable to new and existing recipients who received the education allowance at a similar rate to Youth Allowance. |
| 2021 | The base rates of certain Education Allowance rates increased by $50 from 1 April 2021. Rates of Education Allowance that received this increase were for:
|
| 2023 | The base rates of certain Education Allowance rates were increased by $40 per fortnight from 20 September 2023, in line with changes to the base rates of Youth Allowance and Austudy. Rates of Education Allowance that received this increase were for:
|