PART 5Other Assistance

PART 5—Other Assistance

5.1 Fares allowance

5.1.1 Where the Commission has approved payment to a student of an education allowance under paragraph 3.5.1, it may accept financial liability for a fare (or part thereof) paid, or to be paid, by the student for a journey between the student’s home and place of study.

Note: a fare may be the cost of using private transport.

5.1.2 In making a decision under paragraph 5.1.1 in respect of whether to accept liability for a fare, the Commission is to take into account Part 2.26 of the Social Security Act 1991 as it relates to the circumstances in which fares allowance under that Act is payable and as it relates to the level of fares allowance payable in those circumstances.

Note: under Part 2.26 of the Social Security Act 1991 (SSA) a determination may be made amending levels of fares allowance in the Act (Henry VIII clause). The SSA as amended by any such determination would constitute the SSA “in force from time to time” (see definition of SSA) and therefore the Commission could lawfully consider those new levels of fares allowance as introduced by the determination.

5.2 Additional Tuition

5.2.1 Where an education authority has established that a discrepancy exists between the student’s intellectual potential and the student’s actual academic achievement, the Commission may arrange for provision of Additional Tuition in respect of that student. 5.2.2 The Commission may approve payment for Additional Tuition arranged under paragraph 5.2.1. 5.2.3 Request for Additional Tuition must be accompanied by an appropriate assessment, from a suitably qualified education authority, as to the value of the proposed tuition or the continuing need for such assistance.

5.3 Special Assistance

5.3.1 Where the Commission considers that exceptional circumstances, beyond the control of the student, have hindered or will hinder a student’s progress the Commission may approve payment of Special Assistance in respect of that student.

5.4 Rates for Additional Tuition and Special Assistance

5.4.1 The Commission shall determine from time to time the maximum value of Additional Tuition and Special Assistance which may be provided to a student in any year.

5.5 Rent assistance

5.5.1 Subject to paragraph 5.5.2, a student who has been granted a Homeless Student Education Allowance or an education allowance at a ‘living away from home’ rate is entitled to the payment of rent assistance. 5.5.2 Rent assistance payable under the Scheme, whether to a student in or outside Australia, is only payable in the same circumstances that rent assistance would have been payable to the student under the Social Security Act 1991 if the student had not been a student receiving benefits under the Scheme but had been a person receiving youth allowance under that Act.