Parents studying - are you eligible for assistance?
Scholarships for a competitive future
Additional Commonwealth Supported Places
Maths and Science initiatives
Early childhood education teachers
Parents studying - are you eligible for assistance?
From 1 July 2008, the Government will extend the length of time eligible parents studying can receive JETCCFA from one to two years.
The extension will benefit current or new JETCCFA participants who are studying multi-year courses.
The JETCCFA program can assist parents meet the costs of approved child care while they study, to help them enter or re-enter the workforce.
Existing JETCCFA participants currently studying will be able to access the extended period of assistance from 1 July 2008.
If you are already receiving JETCCFA for study, you will receive a letter advising you to contact the Family Assistance Office before your activity end date to confirm that you are still studying.
To find out if you are eligible, contact the Family Assistance Office on 13 61 50.
JETCCFA Fact sheet
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Scholarships for a competitive future
The Commonwealth Scholarships Program has substantially expanded as a result of the Scholarships for a Competitive Future measure announced in the 2008-09 Budget. This measure will double the number of available scholarships to 88,000 by 2012. This most recent expansion of Commonwealth Scholarships follows an increase in the number of new Commonwealth Scholarships in 2008 from 8,500 to 12,900.
Two new scholarship categories will be introduced in 2009:
• National Priority Scholarships (NPS) targeting undergraduate students enrolling in priority disciplines; and
• National Accommodation Scholarships (NAS) for students relocating interstate to study specialist courses not available near their home.
For more information about scholarships click here.
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Additional Commonwealth Supported Places
As part of the 2008-09 Budget, the Australian Government is providing funding for additional Commonwealth supported places in nursing (90 places commencing in second semester 2008 and 1,170 commencing in 2009) and early childhood education (500 places commencing in each of 2009, 2010 and 2011). These new places will provide more opportunities for students to study in these important areas of skills shortage.
For information on which higher education providers offer nursing and early childhood education, visit the course finder here.
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Maths and Science
From 1 January 2009 the maximum annual student contribution amount (previously called ‘HECS’) for commencing Commonwealth supported students studying mathematics (including statistics) and science will be reduced from $7,412 to the lowest ‘national priority’ rate of $4,162 (2009 rates). The lower contribution will apply to new students (and some existing students who transfer from a course of study that is not in the natural and physical sciences to one that is). Current students (other than the transferring students described above) will continue under existing arrangements.
From the 2008-09 income year, eligible mathematics and science graduates who take up related occupations, including teaching of these subjects in secondary school, will be eligible to apply for a reduction (by around half on average) of their compulsory Higher Education Loan Program repayment. This will apply to people who graduate from second semester 2008 onwards. Further information about the initiative will be available on this website and, for information about HELP repayment reductions, the Tax Office website at www.ato.gov.au before the end of 2008.
To find out what you pay for your Commonwealth supported place click here.
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Early childhood education teachers
Early childhood education teachers who work in a childcare centre, kindergarten or pre-school in a regional or remote area, Indigenous community or an area of high socio-economic disadvantage for up to five years will be eligible to apply for a reduction (by around half on average) of their compulsory Higher Education Loan Program repayment. Further information about the initiative will be available on this website and, for information about HELP repayment reductions, the Tax Office website at www.ato.gov.au before the end of 2008.
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