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How do I Qualify for Assistance for Isolated Children?

You may qualify for Assistance for Isolated Children if:

  • your family home is considered to be geographically isolated from an appropriate state school, or
  • the student has a proven special health-related or educational need that cannot be catered for locally, and
  • the student boards away from home at a school, hostel or privately, or
  • your family maintains a second home so that a student can attend school daily, or
  • the student lives at home and is enrolled at an approved distance education institution, and
  • the student is enrolled in full-time:
    • primary or secondary studies (or equivalent ungraded studies), or
    • tertiary study where the student is under either the minimum age that the state or territory requires them to participate in education or training or 16 years of age (whichever is the greater).

Usually, students must:

  • have reached minimum school entry age, and
  • be under 19 years of age at 1 January of the year of study, and
  • be undertaking approved studies at an approved institution, and
  • meet residence requirements.

Exceptions:

  1. A child may qualify from age 3 years and 6 months if he/she has a disability or other health-related condition.
  2. If the student's progress through school has been delayed by special circumstances, the maximum age limit for primary, secondary and ungraded level students may be extended by one year (i.e. the student must be under 20 years of age at 1 January in the year of study).
  3. Certain pensioner students may be eligible for Assistance for Isolated Children Pensioner Education Supplement up to their 21st birthday.

Please Note: If you get Assistance for Isolated Children for a student, you may also be able to receive Family Tax Benefit for the student.

If you get Assistance for Isolated Children, the student cannot get Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY, Pensioner Education Supplement or the Veterans' Children Education Scheme (VCES) at the same time. Depending on parental means, a student aged 16 or over may get a higher payment if they are eligible for Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY, but you will not be eligible for Family Tax Benefit for the student if they get one of these payments.

To find out more about what options are best for you, telephone Centrelink on 13 2318.

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