The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

3.2.7.10 Activity requirements for YA

Activity requirements for YA

A young person may satisfy the activity requirements for YA if they are considered to be studying an approved course (1.1.A.210) full-time or if they are meeting mutual obligation requirements (3.11) by:

  • participating in approved study or training full-time, OR
  • undertaking a combination of activities, including part-time work, which are assessed as equivalent to a full-time activity load, AND/OR
  • actively seeking suitable work (1.1.U.55) and willing to accept offers of employment, which may include full-time, part-time or casual work.

A young person who is an early school leaver (1.1.E.05) will need to meet specific mutual obligation requirements as described in 3.11.9.

Once an early school leaver has completed year 12 or an equivalent (Certificate III or higher) qualification, the young person will no longer be an early school leaver and will become subject to the activity test or mutual obligation requirements that apply to other YA recipients.

Note: Full-time Australian Apprentices may apply for YA (student). They are required to satisfy the definition of a full-time Australian Apprentice in order to maintain qualification for YA (student).

Act reference: SSAct section 540 Qualification for YA – general rule

SS(Admin)Act section 40A Requirement to enter into employment pathway plans, section 40F Employment pathway plan matters

Failure to meet full-time study requirements

YA recipients who fail to notify that they have ceased full-time study within 14 days are in breach of their notification requirements. They may have their payments cancelled for their failure to notify and for failing to meet their requirements through studying. A debt should be raised for the YA received while they were not meeting their student requirements. A YA recipient cannot be considered as a YA (other) for a period that they received YA (student).

Example: Jill commenced studying a Bachelor of Social Science in early 2010 and finished studies in February 2013. Jill was receiving YA as a full-time student and continued to receive YA as a full-time student until April 2013. In April 2013 an enrolment check showed that Jill was not enrolled at the university and was contacted by Services Australia. Jill advised that she finished studies and had commenced looking for work in February 2013 and had maintained records of her job search. Jill was not qualified for YA from February 2013 to April 2013 because she did not advise of her cessation of studies to Services Australia. YA received during this period is an overpayment and should be raised as a debt.

Activity requirements for Australian Apprentices

Category of Australian Apprentice Activity requirements
Full-time Australian Apprentice Not eligible for YA (other). May qualify for YA (student); must satisfy the definition of a full-time Australian Apprentice (1.1.A.324).
Attending school for part of the week. Considered as an Australian Apprentice if they satisfy the definition of a full-time Australian Apprentice.
Part-time Australian Apprentices undertaking a full-time training/study block. Considered full-time students.
Full-time Australian Apprentice undertaking a full-time training/study block. Considered as an Australian Apprentice rather than a full-time student.
Part-time Australian Apprentices who are studying or training part-time. May need their requirements adjusted to make up a full-time load without jeopardising their apprenticeship.
Part-time Australian Apprentices aged under 18, who are not attending school. May be exempt from the full-time education/training requirement, if that would cause them to give up their apprenticeship.

These recipients will need to undertake other approved activities in order to make up a full-time requirements load.

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