A student is not to be paid benefits under the MRCAETS if they receive a financial benefit in the nature of educational assistance, or income support, from any other Commonwealth Department or agency.
A student who is eligible to receive benefits under the Education Schemes but is instead receiving another mutually exclusive Commonwealth payment may still be eligible for other MRCAETS benefits such as guidance, counselling special assistance and additional tuition.
A student may only be paid a benefit under the Scheme if the Commonwealth educational assistance or income support:
- is provided (whether directly or indirectly) by the Department or the Commission; or
- is provided under a scholarship from the Commonwealth known as the Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship; or
- is provided under a scholarship from the Commonwealth known as the Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship; or
- is a payment received under a grant known as the Commonwealth Practicum Payment.
A student may, subject to eligibility, cease receiving a payment under another Commonwealth benefits scheme and apply for support under the MRCAETS, or cease receiving Education Scheme payments and apply for another Commonwealth payment.
Commonwealth Practicum Payment
The Commonwealth Practicum Payment (CPP) is a payment intended to assist students studying teaching, nursing, midwifery or social work to manage the costs associated with mandatory placements. It came into effect on 1 July 2025 and is delivered through the Department of Education and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. The MRCAETS instrument specifies that CPP is not considered mutually exclusive with support under the Scheme.
Australian Defence Force Academy Students
Students studying through the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) receive a fully funded tertiary education plus salary and other financial benefits in return for a minimum period of military service.
According to legal advice received October 2023, the full subsidisation of an ADFA student’s tertiary course, and payment of salary in respect of their full-time employment, should be taken to constitute ‘educational assistance’ and ‘income support’ respectively, provided by the Commonwealth. As such, in accordance with paragraph 2.11 of the Instruments, ADFA students are ineligible for benefits under the Schemes as they are receiving a financial benefit from the Department of Defence. Students studying at ADFA are a unique cohort, and cases where similar questions may be raised as to what constitutes educational assistance and income support should be considered on a case-by-case basis.