AUSTUDY Scheme


The AUSTUDY scheme was an Australian educational assistance scheme that provided financial assistance to eligible students between 16 and 64 years of age. The program commenced on 1 January 1987 and ceased on 30 June 1998.

History

Commencement

Upon commencement on 1 January 1987, AUSTUDY replaced the Tertiary Education Assistance Scheme which was introduced by the Whitlam Government in 1973 for students enrolled at university or other tertiary education institutions, and Adult Secondary Education Assistance Scheme and Secondary Allowances Scheme for those who needed financial assistance while enrolled at high school.
AUSTUDY was administered through the provisions of the and .
The AUSTUDY scheme had 3 categories:
In general, it provided financial assistance in the form of:
On 1 July 1998, the Australian Government introduced new provisions for this payment to be paid under the Social Security Act 1991. At the same time, the AUSTUDY scheme was renamed to Youth Allowance for 16- to 24-year-old students and Austudy Payment for students between 25 and 64 years of age. The pensioner education supplement program was retained, but its provisions were also moved to the Social Security Act 1991. The payment was administered through various Australian Government Departments including the Department of Education, the Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs, the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs and Centrelink.