t n e t d r u o St supp 14 Dece The purpose of this Note is to provide some brief information for domestic and international students studying in Australia on some of 12 mber 20 the financial support available such as public transport concessions, child care, and other government financial assistance schemes. It also includes a brief summary of the Overseas Student Health Cover. Public Transport Concessions NSW Victoria Full-time student attending day classes and not in paid employment or otherwise receiving an income Full-time student Eligibility Victorian Public Transport concession card South Australia Full-time student Australian Capital Territory Full-time student Western Australia Full-time student Student ID card Student ID card Tertiary SmartRider card Student ID card (with NSW concession printed image or foil sticker) Queensland Full-time student Student ID card with Queensland Rail logo or the Dept of Transport and Main Roads public transport concession identifier Northern Tasmania Territory Full-time and part Full-time student time students Student ID card Student ID card OR Postgraduate students* International students* Interstate students* however Premier announced on 30/10/12 that this will change 50% Approximate concession Tertiary Transport card 50% 50% 50% up to 25% 50% free bus and concession ferry 50% Or unlimited travel with Victorian Student Pass (currently a yearly pass is approx. $450) or Regional Transit Student pass for either the Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Warrnambool, Portland or Colac areas (TransPerth, TransWA and regional services) *subject to eligibility requirements Go8 Note: Student Support Page 1 Train South Australia Australian Capital Territory N/A Western Australia (Westgate Punt) N/A N/A NSW Victoria CityRail • MyTrain single/return • AirportLink Station Access Fee • MyTrain 7 and 14 Day, Monthly, Quarterly and Yearly Rail Passes • MyMulti (Day Pass and Weekly) Northern Territory N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A (AirTrain) N/A N/A N/A Queensland Tasmania N/A CountryLink • Single/Return Bus Ferry Light Rail Tram Great Southern Rail • Single/Return • MyBus Single • MyBus Travel Ten • MyMulti (day and weekly) • MyFerry single/return • MyFerry Travel Ten • MyMulti (day and weekly) • MyMulti (Day Pass and Weekly) Child care All Go8 universities have one or more child care centres based on or near the university campus. Enrolment priority is usually given to staff and students of the university. Some universities also offer a means-tested rebate to their students to help with the costs of child care. The Australian Government provides support to help with the costs of child care. The Child Care Benefit may be available if approved or registered care is used, the child is immunised, and the income and residency requirements are met. The Child Care Benefit is only available to Australian residents so this will usually exclude students on a temporary visa. However international students who are sponsored by the Australian Government to undertake a course of study in Australia, such as through an AusAID scholarship, may qualify for the Child Care Benefit. Go8 Note: Student Support Page 2 Child Care Benefit per child per week* Additional Requirement 24 hours Meet test for approved care 24-50 hours Meet test for approved care and; Both spouses have work-related commitments for at least 30 hours per fortnight *For the current hourly rates see www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/centrelink/child-care-benefit/payment-rates The Child Care Rebate is a tax rebate available for 50 per cent of out-of-pocket expenses (up to a maximum amount per child per year) for parents who are working, training or studying. Any Child Care Benefit received will be deducted from the total child care fees when calculating the rebate. The Rebate can either be received weekly, fortnightly, quarterly or annually. To be eligible for the Child Care Rebate, the parent must be eligible for the Child Care Benefit (even if found eligible with zero benefit) and must spend 15 hours per week (or 30 hours per fortnight) in work-related commitments which can include a combination of the following: paid work or self employment; setting up a business; looking for work; voluntary work to improve work skills. For more information on the Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate visit www.humanservices.gov.au Health insurance – international students The Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is the system of health cover in Australia for international students. Student must purchase this insurance prior to leaving their home country. The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship requires that students maintain this insurance for the entire duration of their Australian student visa. Each university will usually have a preferred OSHC provider, but students are free to choose any OSHC Australian provider. There are currently five providers in Australia: • Australian Health Management OSHC • BUPA Australia • Medibank Private • OSHC Worldcare • NIB OSHC Go8 Note: Student Support Go8 university Preferred provider The Australian National University OSHC Worldcare The University of New South Wales Medibank Private The University of Adelaide OSHC Worldcare Monash University OSHC Worldcare The University of Queensland OSHC Worldcare The University of Western Australia OSHC Worldcare The University of Melbourne OSHC Worldcare The University of Sydney OSHC Worldcare Page 3 The OSHC insurance covers most medical or hospital care in Australia, a portion of most prescription medicines, and the cost of an ambulance in an emergency. At a minimum, each OSHC product must include cover for: • the benefit amount listed in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for out-of-hospital medical services (for example, a general practitioner) • 100 per cent of the MBS fee for in-patient medical services (for example, surgery) • public hospital shared ward accommodation • private hospital shared ward accommodation (only for hospitals that have contractual arrangements with the overseas student’s health insurer) • day surgery accommodation • some prosthetic devices • pharmaceutical benefits up to $50 per pharmaceutical item to a maximum of $300 a year for a single membership ($600 for a family membership). Overseas students may face significant out-of-pocket costs if they do not have appropriate coverage for treatment with pharmaceuticals, particularly oncology (cancer) treatment. • ambulance services.1 OSHC does not cover dental, optical or physiotherapy. These treatments can be covered through additional private health insurance, such as extra OSHC provided by some OSHC providers, international travel insurance or general treatment cover with any Australian private health insurer. Other Government assistance – domestic students The Australian Government provides a number of other financial assistance programs to support domestic tertiary students. Below is a brief summary. More information can be found on the Department of Human Services website. What is it? ABSTUDY Austudy 1 Eligibility • an Australia citizen • an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian Financial assistance to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australians, who are studying at a TAFE or university or completing a full-time Australian apprenticeship, to help meet education, accommodation, travel and • enrolled in an approve course medicinal costs • not receiving any other government assistance to study or complete apprenticeship • normally living in Australia • Australian resident • aged 25 and over Financial assistance to full-time students and Australian apprentices aged 25 and over • studying full-time in an approved course at an approved educational institution or undertaking a full time Australian apprenticeship Department of Health and Ageing, www.health.gov.au/internet/main/Publishing.nsf/Content/Overseas+Student+Health+Cover+FAQ-1#oshccover Go8 Note: Student Support Page 4 What is it? Youth Allowance Financial assistance to young people who are studying full time, undertaking a full-time Australian apprenticeship, training, looking for work or sick Fares Allowance Helps students who are living away from home because of study to meet the cost of travelling between their permanent home and place of study Rent Assistance Financial assistance to help people pay rent and receive a Centrelink payment Eligibility • Australian resident • Meet the parental means test • 16 to 21 years old, with Year 12 certificate or equivalent, and looking for full-time work or undertaking approved activities • 18 to 24 years old and studying full-time • 16 to 24 years old and undertaking a full-time Australian apprenticeship • living away from permanent home to study • receiving either ABSTUDY, Austudy, a pensioner education supplement or Youth Allowance (as a full-time student) • paying rent (can include lodging, boarding, site fees) • are eligible to receive a different Centrelink payment This Note is based on information valid at the date of publication. 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