There has been a big change that will affect australian student and that is Centrelink Austudy Payment has Made over 2,000 students affected and it’s Set to Commence from This April 2021.
The $665-a-fortnight payment has become a lifeline for many students studying at tertiary level, but there are set to be changes to who qualifies for the payment and how much you receive.
This detailed guide looks at the changes, the eligibility criteria and what you need to do to make sure that you don’t miss out on this vital support.
Table of Contents
Major changes to Austudy payment arrangement
The Austudy Payment scheme will be modified from April The Australian Government’s Department of Social Services has released details of changes that will be made to the Austudy Payment scheme from April.
The biggest change is in relation to the other, standard rate – until now, $665 a fortnight for single students with no dependents. The rate itself has been up for review by the government as part of its wider welfare reform.
These changes signal an adjustment in the configuration of Australia’s student support settings which takes into consideration fiscal restraints and access to education goals.
The changes will be introduced at a time when there is increased focus on the affordability of higher education and the financial strain on students.
“This Austudy reform is a big change in the way we help students while they are studying,” a Services Australia spokesperson said.
“These amendments mean students need to double check eligibilities to keep receiving student financial assistance.
Detailed Eligibility Following April Changes
To be eligible for Austudy Payment under the new criteria applicants need to meet a number of basic criteria:
Age Requirements
Austudy is still only available for students over 25 years of age. It’s not available to people on Youth Allowance, which helps students younger than them.
You must be 25 years old or younger at the time of application; there are no exceptions for those who will turn 25 during the club year.
Australian residency This article was written in the Australian environment.
Eligibility Australian citizens or holders of permanent humanitarian visas of Australia or New Zealand citizens,New Zealand Special Category Visa holders in Australia (Subclass 444) and holders of Australian Permanent Resident Visa or Australian Permanent Humanitarian Visa) or holders of a valid visa subclass permitting full time studies in Australia.
Changes to residency requirements Changes to residency requirements mean that there will be more extensive assessment for some visa types.
The two-year waiting time for permanent residents still applies, but humanitarian entrants and people under significant new or changed circumstances are exempt.
Course and Educational Institution Approved
Your course must also be Austudy approved and be a course of study at an approved institution. The revised criteria specify:
Full-time equivalent enrolment (usually 75% full-time equivalent).
Accredited under-graduate and post-graduate courses and some vocational education training.
Enrolments with RTOs or TEPs
The meaning of “approved courses” has been narrowed and certain courses at the certificate level are no longer eligible for assistance.
Assessment of Income and Assets
Recalibration of income and assets test impacting rates of payment:
Personal Income Test:
Theincome-free threshold for fortnightly compensation remains at $452
Anything over this and your benefit is reduced by 50 cents for each dollar you earn
You won’t get any payment when your income goes above $1,782 a fortnight
Partner Income Test:
You can be impacted by your partner’s income if you have one
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Assets Test:
The assets test thresholds have been revisited, with homeowners subject to different limits than non-homeowners
An appraisal of immediate assets (savings, investments) is done independently of non-liquid assets (real estate, cars)
These eligibility criteria have been refined to ensure support is targeted at those in real need.
Procedure for Application and Documentation Needed
Making a claim for Austudy under the new model will require careful planning and precise record keeping:
Prepare Your Documents:
Identification document (passport, driving licence)
Evidence the applicant is enrolled in or has been accepted into an acceptable course
Information about the bank account (which will be used for the processing of the payments)
Financial documentation of income and assets
Tax file number
Submit Your Application:
– Online through myGov (connected to Centrelink)
– In a Services Australia centre party.toJSONString () (https://www.facs.gov.au/) andWoolley and OppenheimerKAlexander Woolley and Jonathan K. Oppenheimer, KurtCmUni WA John Curtin School of Medical ResearchWesley C. ZechMani Ramaswam.
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By mail using printed forms
Verification Process:
Under the new guidelines, expect a more robust verification process
Further evidence may be required to support your situation
Lead times have increased to average 28 working days
“The simplified online application process is intended to compensate for the more detailed assessment, but we do expect that there may be some delays with busiest periods.”
Effects of the April Changes on Current Beneficiaries
Impact on Austudy If you are currently receiving Austudy payments, these changes could impact your future eligibility or rates of payment:
Automatic Reassessment: Centrelink to automatically reassess existing recipients for the new criteria.
Notification requirements: They should be notified if anything described in the above 4 points change within a fortnight.
Transitional Provisions : Requestors may be eligible for transitional provisions to help to mitigate payment reductions which occur abruptly
Appeal Process: If you disagree with a decision made for payment to you, you can appeal the decision
The government is transitioning to the new maximum stipend, with an up-scale transition approach to ensure minimum interruption for those already receiving the stipend, and specifically final year students.
Making the Most of Your Eligibility Under New Rules
There are a few things you can do to increase your chances of qualifying for Austudy under the new system:
Choose Your Courses: List the courses as “approved” that are officially liste as such in the updated guidelines which have been already published.
Study Load: You must be enrolled full-time throughout your study session
Income Monitoring: Carefully Adverse Reactions manage part-time employment to keep within relevant income thresholds
Report regularly: Update Centrelink if your study load, income, or personal situation changes.
Document verification: Make sure all records are complete, up to date and verifiable.
Schools have also broadened the scope of their welfare support services to help students manage the changes, many of them focusing on providing targeted assistance for Austudy applicants.
What If You’re Stuck with a Balance You No Longer Qualify for?
If the new criteria mean that you are no longer eligible for Austudy, you do have some other options for support:
ABSTUDY: Indigenous students only
Pensioner Education Supplement: People who get some pensions
Student Start-up Loan A voluntary loan awarded to eligible students
Education Start Up Payment: One-off payment to help with study costs
Institutional Scholarships: Many colleges provide need-based aid.
HECS-HELP: Government loan program that pays the cost of tuition
There has been a surge in calls from consumers inquiring about financial counseling services since the changes in the student loan program were announced, and it is important that you do your homework.
National education implications of the long-term variety for Australia
A recalibrated Austudy as a step along the way What’s happening to Austudy is part of the wider picture on how Australia funds tertiary education.
The changes are a result of changing priorities for the government in educational support and work force development.
Education policy experts say these changes are designed to more closely link student support to job market demands and career results. The attention to licensed courses reflects a greater targeting of skills development in priority sectors.
Student rights advocates are conflicted: they recognize the necessity of longer-term support networks in the absence of official provincial support but are also worried about the barriers to education access.
Over the following months we will see the long-term affect that these changes will have on enrolment and completion rates among students.
The changes to the Centrelink Austudy Payment system mark a turning point for Australia?s support of students.
The changes might make it harder and here is what you need to know and steps you can take to manage and optimise your application to ensure you get the help that you need.
And while these changes continue to rollout, it will be even more critical for students to keep themselves informed as to what they are entitled to and communicate regularly with both the Centrelink and their educational providers.
You can get through these changes and continue to advance toward your educational goals even while policy is in flux so long as you remain informed and equipped.
For advice that takes into account your particular situation, please contact Services Australia directly or speak to the student support services available at your school/education provider. By taking a proactive approach to what you are entitled to, you won’t miss out on the financial support you need to get through your studies.
