AUSTUDY is a very low payment. I can't imagine someone paying a mortgage with that.

Do you qualify for Rent Assistance? (i can't remember if you are renting or have bought a home).

The family tax payment (either b or a) that is tied to income, will probably go up if the $50K stops.

Other options may include:
- studying part-time instead of fulltime
(find out what the percentages are - e.g if studying 75% of a course entitles a person to fulltime AUSTUDY)
- studying online (the bits you can do that are theory)
- doing the parts of the course that are theoretical part-time (while dh is still working), and doing the practical parts fulltime (thereby minimising the length of time your family needs to be existing on F/T CL payments.

Can you learn to be a nurse in Tassie? or do you have to go to QLD to do that?
Is it exam based or does it involve "practical modules" in hospitals?

If you don't understand the CL website (i find it confusing too), maybe get a CL staff member to help you look up the right bits and add them up. (at a CL office).

just a bit of brainstroming from someone who has never studied to be a nurse, so pure brainstorming. but i have lived on AUSTUDY in the past, and it was really hard (as a single person, paying rent, no child). i worked fulltime in the semester breaks, saved EVERYTHING in order to survive for the rest of the year.

don't forget to allow money for text books and course fees. these days, with the internet, fees may be for other things (than text books). Plus the HECS debt that will accrue.

ask at the Uni about scholarships.

The CL site says (under Training - AUSTUDY)
"maximum fortnightly payment for partnered person with children" is $413
plus family tax a and b
plus rent assistance (if you qualify for that)