Job Guide

Tertiary Education

Commonwealth Supported Places

The government supports domestic students undertaking higher education by funding Commonwealth supported places (previously called ‘HECS’ places) at public universities. These places are subsidised by the government so that students only have to pay a ‘student contribution’ amount for their units of study. Commonwealth supported places are mainly offered at the undergraduate level and are also available at a small number of private higher education providers in approved national priority areas.

While fee paying places are not subsidised, the government offers the FEE-HELP or VET FEE-HELP loan scheme to assist eligible fee paying students pay their tuition fees. Fee paying places are mainly offered at private education providers and at the postgraduate level at universities.

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Higher Education Loan Program

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) offers a suite of loans for different types of study. The HELP scheme provides income contingent loans to eligible higher education and vocational education students to assist them with their tuition costs.

HECS-HELP assists eligible higher education students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place to pay their student contribution amounts or receive a discount for up-front student contribution payments of $500 or more.

FEE-HELP is available to eligible higher education students enrolled in a fee paying place to pay their tuition fees.

More information regarding FEE-HELP, including a list of all approved private higher education providers that offer FEE-HELP, can be found under the ‘Providers that offer Commonwealth assistance’ tab on the Study Assist website at http://studyassist.gov.au, or by calling the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) student enquiry line on 1800 020 108.

OS-HELP assists eligible Commonwealth supported higher education students with some of the costs associated with completing a portion of their studies overseas.

Financial Assistance

Youth Allowance

Youth Allowance helps young people while they are studying full time, looking for work, doing an approved training course or undertaking a combination of these activities. You may also be eligible for Youth Allowance if you are undertaking a full-time Australian Apprenticeship.

Young people claiming Youth Allowance who are not full-time students and do not already have Year 12 or an equivalent qualification (Certificate II or above) will need to:

• undertake a program of study or training to be eligible to receive Youth Allowance
• in some cases, undertake a combination of education and training with other approved activities.

From 1 July 2012, these Learn or Earn requirements will be extended to unemployed 21 year olds who do not have a Year 12 or equivalent qualification. This means they will need to participate in education and training full time, or participate in study, training and other approved activities (usually for at least 25 hours per week) until they attain Year 12 or equivalent.

For more information about Youth Allowance, ask at your local Centrelink Customer Service Centre, phone 13 24 90 or visit www.centrelink.gov.au. For information in languages other than English, phone 13 12 02.

ABSTUDY

ABSTUDY helps Indigenous secondary or tertiary students remain at school, go on to further study, or undertake an Australian Apprenticeship. For more information about ABSTUDY you can visit your local Centrelink Customer Service Centre, call 13 23 17 or visit www.centrelink.gov.au.

Student Income Support Reforms

In April 2010, the Australian Government implemented significant changes to student income support to improve access to, and better target, income support for students who need it most.

The Parental Income Test threshold for the maximum rate of Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY increased, and is indexed each year. The way that income support reduces for incomes above the threshold also changed to a 20 per cent family taper. These changes mean more young people receive Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY or a higher payment rate.

Scholarships

All university students receiving Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY are now entitled to a Student Start-up Scholarship for each year of their course, to assist with the high up-front costs of textbooks and specialised equipment.

In addition, the Relocation Scholarship provides assistance with the cost of establishing accommodation for university students receiving Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY who are:

• dependants living away from the family home for study
• independent students who are disadvantaged by personal and relationship circumstances and are unable to live in the family home.

Payment of the Relocation Scholarship benefits dependent rural and regional students in particular.

Both of these scholarship payments are indexed annually.

Other changes to Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY include:

• a lowering of the age of independence to 22 years from 1 January 2012
• the exemption of equity and merit-based scholarships from being treated as assessable income for means testing up to a certain threshold — this threshold is indexed each year
• from 1 July 2010, the tightening of the workforce participation criterion for independence under Youth Allowance — students who have worked an average of 30 hours a week in one or more jobs
for at least 18 months in a two-year period are considered independent
• from 1 January 2012, the extension of Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY and Austudy to all masters by coursework study
• from 1 July 2012, an increase to the personal income threshold from $236 to $400 a fortnight, to enable students to earn more from part-time work before their payments are reduced.

Fact sheets providing detailed information on the reforms to student income support are available on the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website at www.deewr.gov.au/youthallowance. A Student Assistance Estimator is also available on this website, which allows students to enter their parents’ income level and family type to gain an indication of the level of support they might expect to receive under the Government’s changes to student income support.

Assistance for Isolated Children

The Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) scheme provides financial assistance to families of primary, secondary and certain tertiary students who do not have reasonable daily access to an appropriate state school due to geographical isolation or because they have a special health need.

For more information visit your local Centrelink Customer Service Centre, call 13 23 18 or visit www.centrelink.gov.au. For information in languages other than English, call 13 12 02.

Pensioner Education Supplement

The Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) helps with the costs of undertaking full-time or part-time study. It is available to the recipients of some Centrelink and Veterans’ Affairs income support payments.

For more information about PES, call 13 24 90 or visit www.centrelink.gov.au . For information in languages other than English, call 13 12 02.

Veterans' Children Education Scheme

Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (VCES) provides assistance to children of certain deceased, disabled, or incapacitated veterans or members of the defence or peacekeeping forces.

For further information visit the website at www.dva.gov.au or phone your state or territory office of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Transition to Independent Living Allowance

The Transition to Independent Living Allowance (TILA) provides one-off financial assistance to young people (aged 15-25) who are leaving state-supported care to help them make the transition to independent living.

For more information, visit www.tila.org.au .

The Australian Government has implemented a range of initiatives which provide assistance to Australian Apprentices in the form of income support or financial incentives. Refer to the Australian Apprenticeships website at www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au for more information.

Australian Apprenticeships Access Program

The Australian Apprenticeships Access Program (Access Program) helps job seekers who experience barriers to skilled employment to obtain and maintain an Australian Apprenticeship. The program helps disadvantaged job seekers by providing pre-vocational training linked to an Australian Apprenticeship pathway, intensive job search assistance and help adjusting to the workplace. Job seekers can also use the Access Program to get into employment, or further education or training.

For more information about the Access Program, contact your local Centrelink Customer Service Centre or phone 13 38 73. More information about the program is also available at www.deewr.gov.au/accessprogram.

Support for Australian Apprentices with disabilities

The Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program provides assistance for apprentices and trainees with disabilities including a wage support payment for the employer and assistance for tutorial, interpreter and mentor services to assist the apprentice.

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Education and training assistance

School Business Community Partnership Brokers

School Business Community Partnership Brokers (Partnership Brokers) work to build partnerships between education and training providers, business and industry, parents and families and community groups to support young people to be engaged in education, perform better in school and realise their full potential.

Partnership Brokers will develop links to provide learning opportunities outside the classroom, mentoring opportunities for young people, help for parents to become better informed about leaning and career options and give young people the chance to improve their employability and life skills.

Youth Connections

Youth Connections is a program helping young people stay in school, get back into school or find alternative pathways that lead to attaining Year 12 or an equivalent Certificate II qualification.

Youth Connections is flexible and individualised for each young person. Youth Connections focuses on improving educational, life skills and personal development outcomes for young people facing significant difficulties.

There are lots of ways to find out more — for instance, check out the website at www.youth.gov.au/transitions; ask about Youth Connections at your local Centrelink office; or ask your school career adviser, welfare officer or teachers.

Centrelink Career Information Centres

Centrelink’s Career Information Centres (CICs) provide a comprehensive free service to all Australians. Specialist staff help students, the unemployed or people looking at changing jobs to make informed decisions about education, training and employment options and pathways.

For more information ask at your local Centrelink Customer Service Centre or visit www.centrelink.gov.au. A list of CICs can also be found in the Useful addresses section.

The Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program

The Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program (LLNP) assists job seekers whose basic English, reading, writing or mathematics skills are making it difficult for them to get a job.

For more information ask at your local Centrelink Customer Service Centre, call 13 28 50 (for Employment Services) or 13 24 90 (for Youth and Student Services), or visit www.centrelink.gov.au. For information in languages other than English, call 13 12 02.

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Employment assistance

Job Services Australia

Job Services Australia (JSA) is the Australian Government’s national employment services system. JSA is the gateway for jobseekers to access one-on-one assistance and tailored employment services.

JSA providers are organisations contracted by the Australian Government to provide employment services and are available across Australia in more than 2000 locations. They can provide or connect you to a wide range of government services to give you the skills and training you need.

Your Job Services Australia provider will work with you to develop an Employment Pathway Plan (EPP). The EPP is based on your individual needs and circumstances and sets out the services and training that will help you to find and keep a job. Depending on your situation, this might include things like further education or work experience.

This support can help you to:

• write a résumé
• gain better qualifications
• overcome any barriers you might have in gaining and keeping a job
• access other government services that might be useful for your employment purposes.

One element of your EPP can be to undertake work experience. This will help you gain new skills or further develop relevant workplace skills. It will also give you an opportunity to demonstrate your skills to potential employers, meet new work contacts and stay connected to the workforce. Taking part in work experience activities also provides opportunities for on-the-job and formal training that will increase your chances of getting and keeping a job.

Work experience activities can be part time, casual or full time, and either paid or unpaid. It can include:

• Work for the Dole and other community work
• Green Corps environmental activities
• Drought Force
• Defence Force Reserves.

JSA providers work with local employers; Registered Training Organisations; state, territory and local governments; community and health services; and other organisations. They will know where the jobs are and what to do to help you get one.

The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) is also available to jobseekers who wish to establish a new small business. NEIS provides accredited small business training, business advice and mentoring, as well as ongoing income support for up to 52 weeks. To check eligibility requirements visit www.deewr.gov.au/neis.

All JSA providers can deliver specific services to meet your needs if you are a disadvantaged jobseeker. You may also be given the choice of attending a specialist Job Services Australia provider, for example, a youth or disability specialist or a provider with special skills to assist people from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background.

A range of multilingual employment and related services brochures that cater to the needs of jobseekers from a CALD background is available in 14 languages from JSA providers or online at www.deewr.gov.au/employment/jsa/resources/pages/translatedbrochures.aspx.

For more information on Job Services Australia call 13 17 64, visit www.deewr.gov.au/employment/jsa or visit your local Centrelink office.

National Green Jobs Corps Program

The National Green Jobs Corps Program assist young job seekers aged between 17 and 24 (inclusive) to get environmental work experience and training, leading to Certificate II qualifications.

For more information ask at your local Centrelink Customer Service Centre, call 13 28 50 (for Employment Services) or 13 24 90 (for Youth and Student Services), or visit www.deewr.gov.au/newgreenjobs.

Assistance for Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander jobseekers

Centrelink is the gateway to the Job Services Australia, the national network of Australian Government employment offices. Centrelink staff, including Indigenous Customer Service Officers, provide Indigenous job seekers with advice and assistance about employment, including Job Services Australia and ABSTUDY.

Specialist Indigenous Job Services Australia members are available in some locations. Centrelink can tell you if there is one in your area.

Indigenous Wage Subsidy

If you are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person and registered as a jobseeker with Centrelink or a Job Services Australia provider, you may be eligible to attract Indigenous Wage Subsidy when an employer offers you employment. You may also be given an Indigenous Wage Subsidy card to assist you with your job search. The Indigenous Wage Subsidy card lets employers know that they may be eligible to receive Indigenous Wage Subsidy if they employ you.

For more information, visit www.deewr.gov.au/iws or phone the Indigenous Employment Line on 1802 102 (Toll Free).

Indigenous Cadetship Support (ICS)

Indigenous Cadetship Support links Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tertiary students with employers in a cadetship arrangement involving full-time study and work placements. It assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students by providing money to cover living costs while studying, as well as paid work experience during holiday and semester breaks throughout the year.

The ICS is part of the Australian Government’s Indigenous Employment Policy (IEP). The IEP aims to generate more employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians. For more information, visit www.deewr.gov.au/ics or phone the Indigenous Employment Line on 1802 102 (Toll Free).

For further information about employers seeking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander jobseekers, visit http://jobsearch.gov.au, click on ‘Advanced search’ under ‘Additional search criteria’ and tick ‘Indigenous jobs only’.

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Assistance for job seekers with family responsibilities

Child Care Benefit

Child Care Benefit is a payment to assist families with the costs of child care. If you are eligible for Child Care Benefit you may also be entitled to receive the Child Care Rebate. The rebate is an additional payment which also helps with the cost of child care. To find out more, contact your local Family Assistance Office or call 13 61 50.

Jobs, Education and Training (JET) Child Care fee assistance

JET Child Care fee assistance provides extra help with the cost of approved child care for eligible parents while they are undertaking activities such as work, study or looking for a job as part of an Employment Pathway Plan. To find out more, contact your local Centrelink Customer Service Centre or phone 13 61 50.

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Multicultural assistance

Multicultural Service Officers

Multicultural Service Officers (MSOs) are specialist staff who help migrant and refugee communities access appropriate services, payments and support. Every Centrelink Services Centre has access to an MSO.

Languages other than English

Centrelink can provide interpreters (including AUSLAN interpreters) and also has bilingual staff who can provide assistance in languages other than English.

Detailed information on services available through Centrelink is available in over 50 languages on the website at www.centrelink.gov.au. You can also phone the Centrelink Multicultural Call Centre on 13 12 02 to access bilingual information and services.

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Other specialised assistance

Centrelink has specialist officers to help customers with specific needs. These include Social Workers, Financial Information Service Officers, Senior Customer Service Advisers, Indigenous Customer Service Officers, Multicultural Service Officers, Rural Service Officers and Community Contact Officers. To see if these officers can help you, visit a Centrelink Customer Service Centre or call 13 10 21.

Translating and Interpreting Services (TIS) National has access to more than 2000 contracted interpreters across Australia, speaking more than 170 languages and dialects. TIS National is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any person or organisation in Australia requiring interpreting services. It provides immediate telephone interpreting services, as well as pre-booked telephone and on-site interpreting. To find out if TIS can assist you, phone 13 14 50.

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