Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2025C00162:section:542fa:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2025C00162
Segment Type: section
Provision Reference: s 542FA (pt 1/3)
Character Range: 791032–793596

542FA  Disabled children or other family circumstances exemption

General
 (1) A person has a disabled children or other family circumstances exemption in respect of a period that the Secretary determines under this section in relation to the person.

Circumstances in which a determination may be made
 (2) The Secretary may make a determination under this section in relation to the person if the Secretary is satisfied that the person is the principal carer of one or more children:
 (a) who suffer from a physical, intellectual or psychiatric disability or illness; and
 (b) whose care needs are such that the person should, for the period specified in the determination, be exempt from undertaking full‑time study.
Note: For principal carer see subsections 5(15) to (24).
 (3) The Secretary must make a determination under this section in relation to the person if the Secretary is satisfied that the person is the principal carer of one or more children, and that:
 (a) the person is a registered and active foster carer; or
 (b) the person is a home educator of that child, or one or more of those children; or
 (c) the person is a distance educator of that child, or one or more of those children; or
 (d) under a family law order that the person is complying with, a child, of whom the person is a relative (other than a parent), is to live with the person.
Note 1: For principal carer see subsections 5(15) to (24).
Note 2: For registered and active foster carer see section 5B.
Note 3: For home educator see section 5C.
Note 4: For distance educator see section 5D.
Note 5: For family law order see subsection 23(1).
Note 6: For relative (other than a parent) see section 5E.
 (3A) The Secretary must make a determination under this section in relation to the person if the Secretary is satisfied that:
 (a) the person is the principal carer of a child; and
 (b) the person is one or both of the following:
 (i) the principal carer of one or more other children;
 (ii) the main supporter of one or more secondary pupil children; and
 (c) there are 4 or more of the children of whom the person is the principal carer or main supporter.
Note 1: For principal carer see subsections 5(15) to (24).
Note 2: For main supporter see section 5G.
Note 3: For secondary pupil child see section 5F.
 (3B) The Secretary must make a determination under this section in relation to the person if the Secretary is satisfied that the person:
 (a) is not the principal carer of one or more children; and
 (b) is a registered and active foster carer; and
 (c) is providing