AUSTUDY Regulations (Amendment) (Cth)

Statutory Rules 1996

No. 246 1

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AUSTUDY Regulations 2(Amendment)

I, The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, make the following Regulations under the Student and Youth Assistance Act 1973.

Dated 6 November 1996.

 

 WILLIAM DEANE

 Governor-General

By His Excellency’s Command,

  

AMANDA VANSTONE

Minister for Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs

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1.   Amendment

1.1   The AUSTUDY Regulations are amended as set out in these Regulations.

2.   Commencement

2.1   These Regulations (other than subregulations 7.2, 7.4, 9.2, 9.3 and 19.2) are taken to have commenced on 10 September 1996.

[NOTE: Subregulations 7.2, 7.4, 9.2, 9.3 and 19.2 commence on gazettal: see Acts Interpretation Act 1901, s. 48.]

3.   Regulation 4 (Citizenship)

3.1   Paragraph 4 (1) (c):

Omit “a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 58 (2) of the Migration Act 1958.”, substitute “an Australian permanent resident within the meaning of that term in regulation 1.03 of the Migration Regulations.”.

[NOTES:

 1. The Note to regulation 12B should be omitted.

2.

 The Note to regulation 12C should be amended by inserting after “Student”, the words “and Youth”.]

4.   Regulation 18A (What is excluded from assets? (e) farm assets in an “exceptional circumstances drought affected area”)

4.1   Subregulation 18A (1):

Omit “area.”, substitute “area until the end of the year in which the drought recovery period ends.”.

4.2   Subregulation 18A (2):

Insert the following definition:

“‘drought recovery period’, in relation to an area, means the period of 6 months beginning on the day when an RAS Authority decides that the area is no longer an exceptional circumstances drought affected area.”.

5.   Regulation 19 (How are business assets treated?)

5.1   Subregulation 19 (1) (definition of “family member”):

Omit the definition.

6.   Regulation 22 (Excluded: (b) students getting certain pensions and allowances)

6.1   Subregulation 22 (2):

Omit “student, or the student’s spouse,”, substitute “student”.

6.2   Subregulation 22 (2):

Omit all the words after paragraph (b).

7.   Regulation 61 (What is the maximum living allowance?)

7.1   Paragraph 61 (1) (ab):

Omit the paragraph.

7.2   After paragraph 61 (1) (b), insert:

“(ba) subject to subregulation (4)—$5,665, for a student who:

• (i)

  qualifies for the independent living allowance only under regulation 68 (which relates to age); and

• (ii)

  has not reached his or her 25th birthday; and

• (iii)

  normally lives with his or her parents; or”.

7.3   Paragraph 61 (1) (c):

Omit the paragraph, substitute:

“(c) for any other student—in respect of a student in a category set out in column 1 of the following table, the amount set out in whichever of column 2, 3 or 4 of that category applies to the student:

Column 1   Category	Column 2   Under 18 years   $	Column 3   18 years and over   $	Column 4   Special rate   $
Standard	3,666	4,409	5,409
Independent	6,052	6,691	8,129
Away-from-home	6,052	6,691	8,129”

7.4   Add at the end:

“(3) In paragraph (1) (ba):

‘normally lives’ has the same meaning as it has in subregulation 85 (4);

‘parent’ means:

(a) any natural or adoptive parent of the student; or

(b) a spouse of the student’s parent; or

(c) another adult on whom the student is wholly or substantially dependent (except the student’s spouse).

“(4)Paragraph (1) (ba) does not apply to a student:

(a) who would otherwise qualify for a special rate of living allowance under regulation 63; or

(b) if the student qualifies before 1 January 1996 for the independent living allowance under regulation 68 in relation to a course—in respect of that course.”.

8.   Regulation 63 (Who gets special rate living allowance?)

8.1   Subparagraph 63 (1) (ab) (ii):

Omit all the words after “getting”, substitute “an allowance, benefit or payment of a kind referred to in paragraph (a); and”.

[NOTE:   The Notes to regulation 63 should be amended by omitting Note 2.]

9.   Regulation 64 (Is there additional allowance for a spouse?)

9.1   Subregulation 64 (1):

Omit “$7,035”, substitute “$7,352”.

9.2   Paragraph 64 (1) (c):

Omit the paragraph, substitute:

• “(c)

  the spouse does not get:

  • (i)

    under Chapter 2 of the Social Security Act 1991—job search allowance, newstart allowance, sickness allowance, special benefit or benefit parenting allowance; or

  • (ii)

    under the Student and Youth Assistance Act 1973—youth training allowance; and”.

9.3   Subregulation 64 (2):

Omit the subregulation.

10.   Regulation 74 (Independent student: (g) unreasonable to live at home)

10.1   Paragraph 74 (a):

After “her”, insert “natural or adoptive”.

10.2   Paragraph 74 (b):

After “from a”, insert “natural or adoptive”.

10.3   Paragraph 74 (c):

After “than a”, insert “natural or adoptive”.

[NOTE:   The Note to regulation 74 should be amended by omitting Note 1.]

11.   Regulation 75 (Independent student: (h) refugee)

11.1   Subregulation 75 (1):

Omit the subregulation, substitute:

“75.(1)The student qualifies as independent by reason of being a refugee if he or she holds, or has held, a visa or entry permit under the Migration Act 1958, for the grant of which a criterion or requirement was that the person demonstrate that he or she:

(a) is a refugee; or

(b) has other humanitarian needs.”.

[NOTE:   Note 1 to regulation 83 should be amended by inserting after “Student”, the words “and Youth”.]

12.   Regulation 85 (Whose income is taken into account?)

12.1   Add at the end:

“(3)‘Spouse’, in relation to a student’s parent, means a person:

(a) who is married to the parent and not separated from him or her; or

(b) who lives with the parent in a de facto relationship.

“(4)A student is taken to normally live with a person if the student maintains a permanent home with the person, despite occasionally living away from that home temporarily (for example, while studying or during holidays).”.

[NOTE:   The Note to regulation 85 should be omitted.]

13.   Regulation 86 (What is parental income?)

13.1  After subregulation 86 (7), insert:

“(7A)Subregulation (7) does not apply if:

(a) parental income for the year of study, as determined from the student’s AUSTUDY application for the year, is less than or equal to the amount specified in subregulation 88 (1); and

(b) that income increases in the year by at least 25% (that is, the prescribed event referred to in paragraph 109 (1) (d) occurs); and

(c) the increased amount does not exceed an amount calculated as follows:

where

 Y is the amount specified in subregulation 88 (1).

“[Example: A student’s entitlement to AUSTUDY for 1995 is assessed on the basis of parental income of $15 000 in the 1993/94 financial year. In the 1994/95 financial year, parental income increases to $24 000 (an increase of 60%). However, subregulation 86 (7) will not apply because, despite the 60% increase, parental income is still less than $28 312 (the amount referred to in subregulation 88 (1) plus 25% of that amount).]”.

14.   Regulation 91 (Concession to the parental income test: (c) pensions and allowances)

14.1   Paragraph 91 (1) (d):

Omit the paragraph, substitute:

“(d) AUSTUDY or ABSTUDY if, at the same time:

• (i)

  the parent gets an additional allowance for a spouse under regulation 64, or under the ABSTUDY scheme; or

• (ii)

  the spouse of the parent gets parenting allowance under Chapter 2 of the Social Security Act 1991; or

• (iii)

  the spouse of the parent gets AUSTUDY or ABSTUDY; or

• (iv)

  the parent is a single parent.”.

14.2   After subregulation 91 (1), insert:

“(1AA)For the purposes of paragraph 91 (1) (ac), if, in a year of study, a parent’s entitlement to get a payment under the Drought Relief Payments Scheme ends, the parent is taken to be receiving a payment under the Scheme until the end of that year.”.

[NOTE:   The following note should be added at the end of regulation 91:

“1‘Spouse’, in relation to a student’s parent, is defined in subregulation 85 (3): see regulation 113.”]

15.   Regulation 94 (What is the spouse’s income?)

15.1   After subregulation 94 (1A), insert:

“(1AB)Subregulation (1A) does not apply if:

(a) the spouse’s income for the year of study, as determined from the student’s AUSTUDY application for the year, is less than or equal to the amount specified in subregulation 95 (1); and

(b) that income increases in the year by at least 25% (that is, the prescribed event referred to in paragraph 109 (1) (d) occurs); and

(c) the increased amount does not exceed an amount calculated as follows:

where

 Y is the amount specified in subregulation 95 (1).

“[Example: A student’s entitlement to AUSTUDY for 1995 is assessed on the basis of his or her spouse’s income of $8 000 in the 1993/94 financial year. In the 1994/95 financial year, the spouse’s income increases to $14 000 (an increase of 75%). However, subregulation 94 (1A) will not apply because, despite the 75% increase, the spouse’s income is still less than $17 812 (the amount referred to in subregulation 95 (1) plus 25% of that amount).]”.

16.   Regulation 97 (Concession to the spouse’s income test: (b) pensions and allowances)

16.1   After subregulation 97 (1), insert:

“(1AA)For the purposes of paragraph 97 (1) (bb), if, in a year of study, a spouse’s entitlement to get a payment under the Drought Relief Payments Scheme ends, the spouse is taken to be receiving a payment under the Scheme until the end of that year.”.

17.   Regulation 101 (How much is the fares allowance?)

17.1   Paragraph 101 (4) (a):

Omit “56.9”, substitute “58.8”.

17.2   Paragraph 101 (4) (b):

Omit the table, substitute:

“Engine (except rotary engine) capacity of motor vehicle   (cubic centimetres)	Engine capacity (rotary engine)     (cubic centimetres)	Rate for each kilometre     (cents)
1600 or less	800 or less	48.1
1601-2000	801-1000	54.5
2001-3000	1001-1500	56.2
More than 3000	More than 1500	58.8”

18.   Regulation 108 (Insufficient information or evidence about a student)

18.1   Subregulations 108 (1), (2) and (3):

Omit the subregulations, substitute:

“108.(1)A notice of a requirement under section 343 of the Act (which authorises the Secretary to require a person to give information or produce a document) must state:

(a) if it is in respect of an application for a benefit under these Regulations—that the benefit cannot be paid until the information is given or the document is produced; or

(b) if it is in respect of existing payments to a student—that the payments may cease if the information is not given, or the document is not produced, before the end of the period specified in the notice.”.

18.2   Subregulation 108 (4):

Omit “(2)”, substitute “(1)”.

[NOTE:   The following note should be added at the end of regulation 108:

“Note to Regulation 108

1Section 347 of the Act sets out the requirements for a notice under section 343: for example, it must be in writing and must specify the period within which the person is to give the information.”]

19.   Regulation 109 (What changes in circumstances must the Department be told about?)

19.1   Subregulation 109 (1):

Omit “which the student must tell the Department about within 7 days:”, substitute “about which the student must tell the Department:”.

19.2   Paragraph 109 (1) (a):

Add at the end:

• “(xix)

  ceases to be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia; or”.

[NOTES:   1.   Note 1 to regulation 109 should be amended by inserting after “Student”, the words “and Youth”.

 2.   The following note should be added at the end of regulation 109:

“3‘Permanent resident of Australia’ is defined in subregulation 4 (2).”]

20.   Regulation 113 (Definitions)

20.1   Subregulation 113 (1):

Omit the reference to “spouse” in the Index, substitute:

“spouse, in relation to a student ......93 (2)

spouse, in relation to

a student’s parent ............................85 (3)”.

[NOTE:   The note to regulation 113 should be amended by inserting after “Student”, the words “and Youth”.]

21.   Schedule 6 (Fringe Benefits)

21.1   Subclause 16 (2):

Omit the table, substitute:

Fringe Benefits year	Notional rate of interest
Housing loan	Other loan
starting 1/4/93	9.9%	12.92%
starting 1/4/94	8.75%	12.75%
starting 1/4/95	10.5%	14.5%

22.   Further amendments—rates and thresholds

22.1   The AUSTUDY Regulations are further amended as set out in Schedule 1.

23. Further amendments—references to Student Assistance Act 1973

23.1   The AUSTUDY Regulations are further amended as set out in Schedule 2.

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SCHEDULE 1 Regulation 22

FURTHER AMENDMENTS—RATES AND THRESHOLDS

 

Column 1 Item No.	Column 2 Provision amended	Column 3 Omit	Column 4 Substitute
1	Paragraph 13 (1) (a)	$111,870	$116,950
2	Paragraph 13 (1) (b)	$159,470	$166,650
3	Paragraph 13 (1) (c)	$375,630	$393,750
4	Paragraph 61 (1) (a)	$8,270	$8,642
5	Paragraph 61 (1) (b)	$7,035	$7,352
6	Subregulation 88 (1)	$21,660	$22,650
7	Subregulation 88 (2)	$21,660	$22,650
8	Subregulation 95 (1)	$13,630	$14,250
9	Subregulation 95 (2)	$13,630	$14,250
10	Regulation 102E	$30.90	$32.20
11	Subregulation 102F (1)	$30.90	$32.20
12	Subregulation 102F (2)	$34.60	$36.20

SCHEDULE 2 Regulation 23

FURTHER AMENDMENTS—REFERENCES TO STUDENT ASSISTANCE ACT 1973

 

Column 1 Item No.	Column 2 Provision amended	Column 3 Omit	Column 4 Substitute
1	Subregulation 4 (2)	Assistance	and Youth Assistance
2	Subregulation 6 (1)	Assistance	and Youth Assistance
3	Subregulation 27 (2)	Assistance	and Youth Assistance
4	Subregulation 33 (3)	Assistance	and Youth Assistance
5	Subregulation 33 (4)	Assistance	and Youth Assistance
6	Subregulation 109 (1)	Assistance	and Youth Assistance
7	Regulation 110	Assistance	and Youth Assistance
8	Subregulation 113 (2)	Assistance	and Youth Assistance
9	Subregulation 113 (4)	Assistance	and Youth Assistance
10	Schedule 1: Group C: Item 1, paragraph (c)	Assistance	and Youth Assistance

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NOTES

1. Notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 8 November 1996.

2. Statutory Rules 1990 No. 443 as amended by 1991 No. 480; 1992 Nos. 24 and 399; 1993 No. 367; 1994 Nos. 13, 91 and 409; 1995 Nos. 132 and 393 (disallowed in the Senate on 10 September 1996); 1996 Nos. 21 and 245.