Centrelink assistance

It is important that you are fully aware of the financial entitlements that you are eligible for while you are studying. Student Services can help you to explore your eligibility for Centrelink payments, grants, subsidies, and other financial initiatives.

For further information about Centrelink, go to www.centrelink.gov.au

ABSTUDY

If you are an Indigenous secondary or tertiary student or a full-time Australian Apprentice, ABSTUDY is an allowance that may help you stay at school or in further study. Depending on your situation, you might also be eligible for extra payments to help with the costs of studying.

You may be eligible for ABSTUDY if you are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, identify as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person and are accepted as such in the community you live or have lived, and are enrolled part-time or full-time in a course at TAFE, university or other approved tertiary institution. You may be eligible if you are:

  • doing secondary school studies
  • studying full-time or part-time at a TAFE, university or tertiary institution
  • undertaking a full-time Australian Apprenticeship
  • doing a distance education or correspondence course
  • studying for a Masters or Doctorate degree.

Incidentals Allowance

Incidentals Allowance is a non means-tested allowance that helps you pay for general course expenses, paid at the beginning of your studies for the year. Different amounts are paid depending on the length of your course. You must be either:

  • enrolled in a tertiary level course, or
  • enrolled in a preparatory course that is delivered by a higher education institution and designed to assist people to gain entry to higher education level courses (also known as a bridging, access or enabling course), or
  • enrolled in a secondary school and aged 18 years or older at 1 January in the year of study, or
  • enrolled in a secondary non-school level course, and aged 18 years or older at 1 January in the year of study.

The student or Australian Apprentice must commence in the course or apprenticeship, traineeship or trainee apprenticeship.

More information about studying at Wodonga Institute and applying for ABSTUDY is available by going to the ABSTUDY information page on the Centrelink website, at www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/abstudy.htm
or by contacting Student Services.

Phone 02 6055 6606 | Email ls@wodongatafe.edu.au

 

Austudy

You may be eligible for financial assistance from the Australian Government while you are studying at Wodonga Institute of TAFE. When you enrol, check whether you are eligible for Austudy, ABSTUDY, or a youth allowance. It may make a big difference!

Austudy provides support for full-time students and new apprentices (apprentices or trainees). You may be eligible for Austudy if you:

  • are a full-time student or new apprentice (apprentice or trainee), aged 25 years and over (new apprentices will need a current Australian Government registration identification number)
  • are enrolled in an 'approved' course at an approved institution like Wodonga Institute of TAFE
  • are a permanent Australian resident
  • have lived in Australia for a total of two years (or more).

Contact Centrelink on 131 021 for more information.

Learner Services at Wodonga TAFE will also be able to give you more information and advice about applying for Austudy.

Phone 02 6055 6606 | Email ls@wodongatafe.edu.au