Chapter 4 - Other assistance to veterans participating in the Scheme
Purpose of this Chapter:
Veterans participating in an approved program may receive other assistance under this Scheme. This Chapter provides the rules for such other assistance and the criteria by which applications for assistance are assessed.
4.1 Other assistance available under this Chapter
Availability of other assistance
4.1.1
A veteran who is participating in an approved program under Chapter 2 or Chapter 3 may receive one or more of the following kinds of assistance under this Chapter:(a) transport and accommodation assistance;
(b) aids, appliances and workplace modifications; and
(c) education expenses;
only if the relevant kind of assistance is not reasonably available to the veteran from another source.
Application for a grant under this Chapter
4.1.2
A veteran who is participating in an approved program under Chapter 2 or Chapter 3 may apply for a grant under this Chapter by making an application:(a) in writing; and
(b) in accordance with a form approved by the Commission for that purpose.
4.2 Transport and accommodation assistance
Grant may be made in special circumstances
4.2.1
The Commission may, in special circumstances, make a grant towards assisting a veteran to meet additional transport and accommodation costs involved in obtaining rehabilitation services or other assistance under this Scheme that are provided a substantial distance from the veteran's usual place of residence.
4.3 Aids, appliances, and workplace modifications
4.3.1
The Commission may make a grant to a veteran or to a veteran's employer (for the veteran's benefit) for the provision of aids, appliances or modifications of the veteran's workplace that would enable the veteran to obtain or retain particular employment, and which the employer would not normally have to provide as an equal opportunity employer providing a safe working environment.
Assessment report to be obtained
4.3.2
If a veteran has applied for a grant under paragraph 4.3.1, the Secretary must obtain a report from a relevantly qualified person (such as an occupational therapist or rehabilitation specialist) assessing the veteran's need for any aid, appliance or modifications of the veteran's workplace for which an application has been made.
Regard must be had to assessment report
4.3.3
In considering an application for a grant under paragraph 4.3.1, the Commission must have regard to an assessment report obtained under paragraph 4.3.2.
Grant not to be for tools of trade or establishing a business
4.3.4
A grant under paragraph 4.3.1 is not to be made for the purchase of tools of trade or to assist in establishing a business.
4.4.1
An education program may be part of an approved program and may include short course or other studies (not being a post-graduate degree or graduate diploma course) at an educational institution, if the veteran requires:(a) a refresher course; or
(b) an upgrade of existing qualifications; or
(c) short term study;
to obtain employment in the same field or a related field in which the veteran has expertise or experience, provided that:
(d) the studies are essential for the veteran to retain or obtain employment in the relevant field; and
(e) there is a reasonable expectation that the veteran will retain or obtain sustainable employment in that field during, or at the end of, the studies; and
(f) the Commission is satisfied that the veteran has the capacity to complete the education program successfully.
Grants for text books and study materials
4.4.2
Subject to paragraph 4.4.4, the Commission may approve grants totalling not more than $500 per semester to a veteran participating in the Scheme towards the cost of purchasing text books, a computer, software and other study materials necessary for the veteran's approved program.
Application for excess expenses grant
4.4.3
If a veteran considers that the necessary expenditure in a semester will be substantially greater than the amount specified in paragraph 4.4.2, the veteran may apply for an excess expenses grant.
Commission may make excess expenses grant
4.4.4
The Commission may approve, in whole or in part, an application under paragraph 4.4.3 for an excess expenses grant, and in considering the application, must take into account:(a) the cost and availability of the required text books, a computer and other study materials from other reasonably accessible sources, such as educational institutions and libraries; and
(b) the cost and availability of second-hand text books and other study materials.
Payment of Higher Education Contribution Scheme fees
4.4.5
If the Commission has approved an education program as part of a veteran's approved program, the Commission may grant to the veteran an amount equal to the amount for which the veteran would be liable under the Higher Education Contribution Scheme for the current semester of study.
Payment of Higher Education Contribution Scheme fees after the first semester of a course of study
4.4.6
After the first semester of an education program, the Commission may grant to the veteran an amount equal to the amount for which the veteran would be liable under the Higher Education Contribution Scheme for the current semester of study only if:(a) the veteran has achieved a satisfactory standard of academic performance in the previous semester; or
(b) the Commission is satisfied that the veteran will gain a significant vocational benefit from pursuing the course of study.
4.4.7
If the Commission has approved an education program as part of a veteran's approved program, the Commission may grant to the veteran an amount equal to the amount for which the veteran is liable for student union fees.
4.5 Grants must be applied to the relevant purpose
Proof of payment may be required
4.5.1
If the Commission has made a grant under this Chapter, the Secretary may require the veteran to provide documentary evidence to show that the grant has been applied to the purpose for which it was granted.
Recovery of grant if not applied for the proper purpose
4.5.2
If the Commission has made a grant under this Chapter, and the Commission is satisfied that the grant (either in whole or in part) has not, within a reasonable time, been applied to the purpose for which it was granted, so much of that grant as the Commission determines has not been applied to that purpose, is an unauthorised payment for the purposes of paragraph 205(1)(d) of the Act and may be recovered in accordance with section 205 of the Act.Contents | .. | Chapter 1 | .. | Chapter 2 | .. | Chapter 3 | .. | Chapter 4 | .. | Chapter 5