supporting statement from the education authority, confirming that Allison is suffering serious educational disadvantage because she cannot get facetoface tuition in English. The claim may be approved, because English is a core subject in Year 11. not Japanese. An AIC Scheme claim on these grounds should not be approved, because a desire to attend a school to enhance a student’s academic prospects is outside the scope of the scheme. distance education methods. An AIC Scheme claim on this basis should not be approved, because it is not expected that all students at Carrie’s year level learn Spanish (i.e. Spanish is not a ‘core’ subject). Example 19: Specialist or selective school An education authority has reclassified a number of high schools as ‘specialist’ schools. Mary has gained a place in one such school for gifted and talented students but she lives too far away to attend on a daily basis. Her father enquires about the AIC Scheme to help with her boarding costs. A claim should not be approved unless there is no appropriate state school within the distances specified in Rules 1 and 2. Example 20: Boarding for noneducational reasons Craig and Stuart’s mother died 2 years ago. Their father has enrolled them at a boarding school in the city, as he finds it difficult to care for them on his own. An AIC Scheme claim should not be approved, as the boys are not boarding to fulfil an educational or medical need. Example 21: Education authority refuses recommendation Phoebe’s elder sister Phillipa received AIC allowances in Years 11 and 12 because the local school catered to Year 10 only. The school now provides up to Year 12, but there are only two students in Year 11 and all subjects except English are delivered by distance education methods. Phoebe’s parents believe she would be disadvantaged at the local school, and want her to board. A teacher supports the family’s case, but the education authority makes no recommendation. An AIC Scheme claim cannot be approved.
6.10.2.1 Special assessment as a result of receipt of assistance Special assessment applies for the period that either the applicant or is receiving Australian Government assistance through either: an income support payment, social security pension/benefit as defined under the Social Security Act 1991 a Department of Veterans’ Affairs pension (excluding the Disability Pension) Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment Farm Family Support Payment the income support component of the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY Living Allowance an allowance for full-time vocational training or education or a Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) wage as a participant (i.e. the wage is not paid for administering a CDEP). 6.10.2.2 Special assessment as result of receipt of certain health care cards Special assessment applies for the period the applicant or their partner holds a certain valid Australian Government health care cards for low-income earners (including health care cards issued to families in receipt of the maximum rate of the Family Tax Benefit Part A). However, the special assessment concession does not apply either: after the expiry date on the card a holds a health care card because they receive a social security Mobility Allowance or Carer Allowance (for a disabled child) or where the applicant or their partner holds only a Pensioner Concession Card or a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. 6.10.2.3 Special assessment because student is in foster care Subject to their boarding costs, a student in or a foster care arrangement may receive maximum Additional Boarding Allowance if the foster carer is not receiving a foster care or similar allowance from a government authority (see for eligibility and evidence requirements in such circumstances). In such cases, the applicant is the official foster parent (or their partner), and the Parental Income Test is waived. 6.10.2.4 Special assessment applicant is an organisation or institution Where an organisation or institution is the , the income test is waived and maximum Additional Boarding Allowance is payable, subject to boarding costs.