EXPLANATORY NOTE
Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986
Subsection 117(2)
Veterans' Children Education Scheme (Leave of Absence) Instrument No. 30/2000
The attached Instrument removes the requirement in the Veterans' Children Education Scheme ("the Scheme") that in order to be eligible for benefits under the Scheme a student must not cease to be in full-time education for more than three years (“the 3 year rule”).
It was considered desirable to remove this rule to enable children who have ceased full-time education for whatever reason to re-enter the Scheme and access the benefits provided by the Scheme to enable them to achieve their full potential in education or career training.
The 3 year rule has been removed with effect on and from
1 January 2001.
In relation to former participants in the Scheme who were excluded from re-entering the scheme by the 3 year rule, the intention is that they may now re-enter the scheme albeit they will not be entitled to any benefits they forfeited by reason of the operation of the rule.