Unemployment Benefit Training (including Hardship)
If you currently get the Unemployment Benefit Training (including Hardship), this is how becoming a student would affect you.
General criteria
You can only continue to receive Unemployment Benefit Training if you continue to attend an approved training course. You must still meet your work test obligations and be available for work. You will not usually qualify for this benefit when doing courses that qualify for the Student Allowance or a Student Loan.
Please make an appointment to see your case manager to discuss your intention to study.
If you are not able to remain on this benefit, you may be eligible for the Student Allowance and/or Student Loan instead.
We will need to cancel your benefit before your Student Allowance can be approved.
Partner also receiving benefit
If you and your partner have no children or your youngest child is aged 6 or over, you may study full-time without it affecting your partner's benefit eligibility if you have been granted an exemption from your work test obligations because you:
- were in full-time approved study at the time they became subject to the work test or
- are engaged in approved full-time study.
Contact your case manager to discuss this.
If you are aged 24+ and there are no children
If you are aged 24 years or more with no children, and you and your partner are both getting a benefit, the same rules apply to their benefit as to yours.
If you or your partner are under 24
If you or your partner are aged under 24 years, with no children, your relationship will not be recognised for a Student Allowance. You may apply for the Student Allowance and a Student Loan as if you were a single person.
Your partner may be able to remain on a half-married rate of benefit.
