More confusion about Austudy

**Nimra** · May 11th, 2013, 11:35 AM

Just stuck the more Iam searching and reading more Iam getting confused.Presuming Austudy is a lonce a lifetime opportunity is it?

As I am on PP payments and Austudy is on my mind ( still have to confirm wit CL though)

Do I have to pay back course fee once I get employment? its not mentioned anywhere .

now my main concern is Before getting enrol in Bachelors in Feb 2014 intake I want to get enrol in a one year TAFE diploma and that would be great help and on behalf of that diploma I will get some exemption in my bachelors course.

I am thinking to go for Diploma course on VET Fee Help and then for bachelors I will go Austudy.

Would CL allow me to do that? (both Diploma and Austudy will be in graphic designing)

I explain it here I am a graphic designer and in the same field i want to study new subjects like 3D design and games design and for Bachelors There prerequisite
list is pretty strict and diploma will give me that qualification to get eligible to be considered for bachelors otherwise My application will be refused)
I don't know how I explain this all to centerlink.

I apologize if my questions seems a nonsense but Iam just confused,day and night my brain is thinking study and getting back on my foot.

**LimeSlice** · May 11th, 2013, 12:18 PM

Hi Nimra

I think you are confusing two different things.

1) AUSTUDY is an income supplement payment, paid by Centrelink, to students who meet their eligibility criteria, based on hours studying, the course itself, income and maybe assets (both yours and your husband/live in partner.)

2) VET FEE HELP or FEE HELP are scheme through which most Australians can gain access to Higher Education with no or little up front costs. FEE HELP covers the tuition fees only - so NOT textbooks etc - and only applies to certain courses, degrees or units offered.
There is again eligibility criteria, but most Australian citizens will meet those. There are also pass rates applicable to maintain access to the service.
FEE HELP are LOANS. This is important to remember. There is a ceiling limit to the amount you can 'borrow' and you must begin to repay the debt to the Government once your income goes over $49,000 per year.

So, if you qualify for both, you can access BOTH AUSTUDY and FEE HELP to assist you through your studies. They are not interchangeable, AUSTUDY is administered by Centrelink, FEE HELP has absolutely nothing to do with Centrelink - you will apply for it directly through your higher education institution.

I hope that helps a bit, so you can find the real answers and plan you are looking for.

**Rivlas** · May 11th, 2013, 12:53 PM

Just check to see if the TAFE course is fees upfront. Many TAFE courses you have to pay at the start of the course.

If you get help with the Uni fees you pay back a % when you start working and earn a certain amount.

Go and visit a centrelink office if you need more answers. They can help with eligibility for austudy

Also have a look at half year entry into your course at Uni

**briggsy's girl** · May 11th, 2013, 01:30 PM

dont go into the centrelink office!!! it's not going to get you the time and attention you appear to need at the moment to clarify your situation

as LS said, Austudy is administered by centrelink and would replace your PPP - but you have to check with the Youth and Students area whether you are eligible based on previous study and qualifications as well as your current intended course of study. You may not be covered for both the diploma AND the uni study so check with the Youth and Students Team 132490. you may find it's better to stay on ppp while you do the diploma and move to austudy for the uni side of things, provided you don't have previous uni qualifications - definitely check with Youth and Students before you make any decisions. Austudy is a taxable income, the same as parenting payment or newstart. you cannot have parenting payment and Austudy at the same time

Fee HELP is different. it is a loan from the commonwealth. you do have to pay it back when you meet the threshold income (currently about 49k as mentioned above) - depending on your annual income, the percentage of your income you have to pay against the loan varies - minimum is 2%. the loan is also indexed every 12 months so it gets higher every year if you're not repaying it.

**Nimra** · May 11th, 2013, 01:54 PM

Girls thanks a million for clearing the confusion, definitely calling CL to get to know the better possibility

**Nimra** · May 14th, 2013, 10:48 AM

Girls,
I spoke to CL.Lady was more confused than me,

she said I can switch to Austudy from PPP and need to do a online claim.
Se said once you done with your studies you have to payback your loan.( that was my actual confusion because Iwas asuming IF i go to Austudy I don't have to payback anything)

she said I might be eligble for student start-up scholarship whic would be a helping money to buy books or material sorta a things.

But she said She thinks Iam better off on PPP, because this way I can get 24 hours per child JET. this way I have to pay a small amount for childcare.

she said think about it and then lodge a claim.

So what you girls suggest me? shall i go for PPP (JET is something I need ) or Austudy (start up scholarship wuld be a great help to buy expensive material for my course.

And yeaa a news to share I got enrolled for my Bachelors straight away (no more diploma thing anymore)

**LimeSlice** · May 14th, 2013, 11:56 AM

AUSTUDY is *not* a loan.

FEE-HELP/VET FEE-HELP/ HECS HELP *is* a loan.

Centrelink CANNOT help you with FEE-HELP information or enquiries. AT ALL. They have *nothing* to do with it.

**Nimra** · May 14th, 2013, 12:40 PM

thanks Limeslice,
I got a better understand of things, but is it better to be remain on PPP? for JET benefits?

**LimeSlice** · May 14th, 2013, 02:52 PM

It will depend on your rate of PPP.

I am on PPS and it is better for me to stay on it, rather than switching to AUSTUDY purely based on the amount.
I *do* use JET and it is definitely worth it, particularly if you have more than one child.

My advice would be to stay on PPP and access the JET if you need it.
Are you sure you cannot access JET on AUSTUDY? That seems odd to me.

Briggsy's Girl should be able to clarify that for you.

**e_p** · May 14th, 2013, 03:20 PM

to decide between Austudy and PP you'll need to compare the rates between payments (although the amounts you can earn if you are working) and find out whether you will be eligible for JET if you switch to Austudy

The other thing to consider is that if you are doing bachelor level study and receive Austudy, you should be eligible for the $1000 student start up scholarship at the start of each semester

**Nimra** · May 14th, 2013, 07:08 PM

yes that scholarship seems to be v attractive and I need it for course material but Iam not eleiible for JET on AUSTUDY

**Nimra** · May 15th, 2013, 01:14 PM

Limeslice , CL lady I spoke to was very confused herself too, she took ages to read and answer the question but her ending lines with every answers were "Iam not sure"
I searched myself a lot of stuff it says JET is available to on benefits like newstart, PP payments like stuff.
In the end lady said better you call to family assistance office they will guide you better so Iam thinking to call, previously I was given very wrong information by CL people,one says one stuff and other totally different.

Last time I claimed something and their were simply not approving then I took a whole bunch of my researched papers,few from legislations too and then confused guy took a month and my claim was approved.

At times they also don't know what is right and what is wrong but in this case PP and NS and related benefits are eligible for JET.But I will do my search on this too.

Limeslice, would you please guide me how much one has to pay for childcare on JET.If my children goes to childcare for 24 hours day which Iam dividing like 8 hours for three days I would be able to manage my studies.and for how long it is available. Iam enorled in a fours years course with loads of extra units. I don't think so I could use JET for three or fours years. please advice

**LimeSlice** · May 15th, 2013, 02:23 PM

JET works like this: (Working from your figure of 24hours a day for TWO children.)

- You are able to claim JET funding for 12 hours per DAY, per CHILD.
- Hours cannot be saved up and used any other time. IE: Monday, child is in care for 5 hours, you are eligible for 12, remaining 7 are forfeit. They do carry forward and allow you to access 19 hours on Tuesday.
- You can claim only through approved childcarers, and only in the manner specified. IE: I have 12 hours a day approved for my youngest in a day care centre. However, the 12 hours day for my eldest is approved only for IN HOME CARE (a nanny). So I cannot access funding for my youngest to stay at home with the nanny.
- Daily/hourly rates AFTER JET funding is applied will vary and depend on the rate charged by your centre. For me, my youngest in FULL TIME care, which is a lower rate per day at our centre) works out to me being $33 out of pocket, per week. With no JET and only CCB/CCR the same car costs me $197 a week. The weekly rate with no rebates, etc for my centre for the full time week is $485.
You will need to discuss the rates with your day care centre.

My strongest advice is for you to contact the FAMILY ASSISTANCE OFFICE and when the automated voice asks why you are calling, say JET childcare and when you get a customer service officer, ask them to have someone from the JET team, which the specific JET training, contact you. Nobody else really knows how it works or has any idea - they WILL give you wrong information. Trust me! LOL

Plus, the FAO are the people to talk to about the PPP - not the youth and students line.

FAO you can reach on 13 61 50. Call FIRST THING in the morning, or at about 7pm for the shortest wait times. Oh, and don't call from a phone you are paying for calls by the minute.

**Nimra** · May 15th, 2013, 02:45 PM

Limeslice such a wonderful explanation of JET and fee related stuff, thanks a million honey, with the help of all you lovely ladies I got a lot better understanding of things Once I thought impossible to understand.

hugs <3 <3

**LimeSlice** · May 15th, 2013, 02:50 PM

Happy to help!

Remember, this all happens automatically through your CC provider, so once you get the JET approved, it all links up through their computer every week via your CRN. So you don't have to worry about it, they do it all and give you just the bill for the gap.

**briggsy's girl** · May 15th, 2013, 05:40 PM

yes that scholarship seems to be v attractive and I need it for course material but Iam not eleiible for JET on AUSTUDY

Don't rely on this to make your decisions! Based on last nights budget, and passage of legislation, these will not be the same next year!!! They will be making it into a loan like FEE-HELP