Centrelink allowances
Accredited TAFE Open Learning courses are approved courses for Centrelink student payments such as Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY, Austudy and Pensioner Education Supplement.
Each student payment that Centrelink administers has workload requirements that students must adhere to in order to qualify. Most payments require you to study full time however workload concessions do apply, in particular (but not limiting to) the Pensioner Education Supplement.
If you are choosing to study part time please contact Centrelink to determine if you are able to study part time to qualify for your payment. If you intend to study at the prescribed workload for your payment and meet other eligibility requirements, Centrelink may pay you an allowance.
If you apply for a Centrelink student payment, you must ensure that:
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your chosen course is approved by Centrelink
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you enrol in the prescribed workload for the payment you are receiving for each study period
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you submit all the required assessments
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you notify Centrelink of any changes that may affect your payment within 14 days.
If you do not meet your study commitments while in receipt of Centrelink allowances, you may be required to repay all the allowance paid to you for that period. Centrelink conducts regular checks on your enrolment and workload.
The agreed base calculation between Centrelink and TAFE Queensland for a full time workload is 11.5 nominal unit hours per week. Full time and part time workload percentages are then calculated according to the number of nominal unit hours a student has enrolled in over the duration of their study period. Centrelink will consider your eligibility for study allowance in accordance with the details stated on your TAFE Queensland Confirmation of Enrolment.
For further information or any assistance on how to apply and for the types of Centrelink student payments available please visit the Centrelink website.
For further information on enrolling in an appropriate workload, please call the TAFE Open Learning Customer Service Contact Centre on 1800 657 387.