An eligible child who resides overseas and wishes to claim benefits under the VCES has to convince the Commission that their circumstances are 'exceptional';  that their educational progress is being adversely affected as a result;  and that the receipt of VCES benefits would assist their educational progress. Exceptional circumstances may include things such as:

• extreme financial hardship,
• family trauma,
• mental or physical disability,
• unavoidable detrimental circumstances, or
• access to an educational or training opportunity not available in Australia.