QTAC Information Sheet

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EAS - Categories and Documentation

For each category of EAS you need to complete a cover sheet (which should be printed at the end of your QTAC application). These cover sheets list what documentation you MUST supply.   For most EAS categories this will include the requirement to provide a personal statement.

 

Your personal statement does not need to be long but it is very important. It is your opportunity to explain why you should be given assistance through the EAS scheme. You must be able to show in your statement that your circumstances had a direct impact on your education.

It will strongly support your EAS application if you are able to provide academic records that demonstrate a decrease in achievement as a result of your circumstances.

EAS Category - Financial Hardship

 

This category is applicable if you are from a low income background. Financial hardship is assessed based on your total family income. If you receive a full rate of a means and asset tested Centrelink income support benefit in your own right and enter your Centrelink Customer Reference Number in the QTAC application you will usually not be required to provide any additional documents for this category. If you do not receive a full rate of an eligible Centrelink benefit, then you will be assessed in this category based on the gross income for your household.

Calculating gross household income

You can demonstrate gross household income by providing a copy of the most recent Tax Return you provided to the Australian Taxation Office. Please note, this is NOT the Notice of Assessment that is sent to you by the Taxation Office, as this does not include gross income. Your Tax Return is the document that you (or your accountant) prepare, which shows all income and deductions claimed.

If your family income includes benefits from Centrelink, you can demonstrate this income by providing a recent Centrelink Income Statement. 

Are you partnered?

If you have a partner, you must provide documentation for your partner's gross income, including a Centrelink Income Statement, if relevant.

Are you a dependant?

 

If you are under 22 years of age and rely upon the financial support of your parents or guardians you are considered to be dependent and need to provide evidence of your parent's or guardian's gross income, including a Centrelink Income Statement, if relevant.

Calculating gross income

Gross income is your income before taxation and other expenses are deducted. When calculating gross income for your household, you need to include income from all sources identified below:

  • gross income from earnings, including fringe benefits
  • income benefits from Centrelink
  • deemed income from financial investments
  • employment income salary sacrificed into superannuation
  • gross income from businesses, including farms
  • family trust distributions or dividends from private company shares
  • net income from rental property
  • total net losses from rental property
  • income from boarders and lodgers
  • deemed income on money in superannuation funds if you have reached age pension age
  • reportable superannuation contributions (salary sacrificed contributions)
  • non-Australian pensions and income
  • any income from sources outside Australia
  • income from income stream products, such as annuities, allocated products and superannuation pensions.

Income that you do not need to include in gross income calculations:

  • received by dependants in your household (e.g. if you have a sibling or dependent child who receives a Centrelink benefit, you do not need to include this in the calculation of gross income)

  • a rent subsidy paid by the Commonwealth, a state or a territory

  • payments made by Centrelink on behalf of other government departments

  • compensation for loss of, or damage to, building, plant and personal effects

  • payment for a dependent child

  • Pensioner Education Supplement and Education Entry Payment if you are receiving a pension, allowance or benefit

  • Carer Allowance

  • the value of any free board and lodging you receive

  • emergency relief or similar assistance

  • any restitution payments you receive because you were the victim of National Socialist persecution

  • payment under the Handicapped Persons Assistance Act 1974

  • any withdrawals from, or returns paid, on a First Home Saver Account.

  • reimbursement of expenses

EAS Category - Home Environment and Responsibilities

You can apply for this category if your home environment has made it difficult for you to study. The circumstances recognised within this category include family conflict, abuse, divorce, illness or death of a family member, and caring responsibilities. Caring responsibilities can include being forced by circumstances beyond your control to become independent and care for yourself while you are still at school, or having extensive caring responsibilities for siblings or other family members (in excessive of normal contributions to domestic arrangements).

You MUST provide a detailed personal statement which includes:

  • the circumstance you have experienced;

  • how the adverse situation affected your most recent study;

  • when you advised the education provider about your adverse situation (if you did so); and,

  • the extent and nature of assistance the education provider made available to you (extensions for assignments, counselling etc).

You MUST provide supporting documents that substantiate the information you have provided in your personal statement. Depending on the situation, this could include:

  • A letter from your General Practitioner (GP)

  • A letter from a psychologist or counsellor

  • A police report/statement

  • Court/legal documents

  • A death certificate

  • Medical reports

  • Centrelink documents

  • A letter from a community organisation with direct knowledge of your home environment

You may wish to attach academic results showing how your circumstances have affected your educational performance.

EAS Category - English Language Difficulty

You can only apply for this category if you have lived in Australian for less than 10 years and if your most recent study was negatively impacted by a profound level of difficulty communicating in English.

If you have been enrolled in education where the medium of instruction was English (in any country) for more than five years, you would not normally be able to apply on this basis, although some exceptions do apply, especially if the language spoken in your home is not English. Applicants who are hearing or speech impaired should apply under the category Personal illness and disability.

You MUST provide a detailed personal statement which includes:

  • your previous exposure to English;

  • details of English classes you have participated in (both overseas and in Australia);

  • how your English language difficulties affected your most recent study; and,

  • extent and nature of assistance your education provider made available to you (ESL support, extensions on assignments etc).

You MUST provide supporting documentation that confirms your arrival in Australia. This may include:

  • A copy of your passport showing departure and entry arrival stamps

  • A letter from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship

  • A letter from an appropriate community organisation.

If you are a current Year 12 student or on a gap year between Year 12 and tertiary study, you MUST ensure that your education provider completes an Educational Support Statement (ESS). You must also arrange for your education provider to complete an ESS if you are completing a Year 12 equivalent studies such as External Senior.  

EAS Category - Educational Disruption

If your education was disrupted by frequent change of school, peer conflict or a disrupted school environment, you may wish to apply under this category.

You should apply under this category if you have experienced:

  • significant disruption to your school (eg buildings destroyed)
  • rural, regional or remote schooling
  • frequent change of teachers or lack of subject choices
  • frequent change of school and/or change of school system in Years 11 and 12
  • peer conflict
  • limited school participation due to gender or family and/or cultural demands and expectations.

You MUST provide a detailed personal statement which includes: 

  • the circumstance you have experienced;

  • how the adverse situation affected your most recent study; and

  • the extent and nature of assistance the education provider made available to you (e.g. extensions for assignments, rescheduling of exams).

You MUST provide supporting documentation that substantiates the information you have provided in your personal statement. Depending on the situation this could include:

  • A letter from your school or education provider

  • A letter from a health care professional if you have experienced peer conflict

If you are a current Year 12 student or on a gap year between Year 12 and tertiary study, you MUST ensure that your education provider completes an Educational Support Statement (ESS). You must also arrange for your education provider to complete an ESS if you are completing a Year 12 equivalent studies such as External Senior. 

EAS Category - Personal Illness and Disability

If you have experienced long term or recurrent illness or disability you can apply for consideration under this category. You should only do so if your education provider has not been able to provide sufficient compensation for your circumstances.

This category is not intended for students who experienced mild or short episodes of illness, or for students who experienced illness that is well managed with medical treatment and therefore had limited impact on educational outcomes. In the normal course of events your school or education provider should make arrangements to assist you if you experience short term illness (i.e. the flu) or if you have long term but minor medical conditions or disabilities. Your education provider may not be able to make provision if your illness or disability have been long term (more than a few weeks) or has been recurrent (reappeared on a regular basis over a long period of time).

You MUST provide a detailed personal statement which includes: 

 

  • name of your condition, including when you were diagnosed and how long you have been receiving treatment;
  • treatment you have been receiving from a health care professional and how regularly you have been receiving treatment;
  • how your condition affected your most recent study;
  • when you advised the education provider about your condition (if you did so); and,
  • the extent and nature of assistance the education provider made available to you (extensions for assignments, re-scheduling of exams etc).

You MUST provide supporting documentation that substantiates the information you have provided in your personal statement. Depending on the situation this could include:

  • A letter from your health care professional describing your condition, date of diagnosis, treatment plan, and how your condition affected your studies.
  • Hospital records
  • Psychological/psychiatric reports

If you are a current Year 12 student or on a gap year between Year 12 and tertiary study, you MUST ensure that your education provider completes an Educational Support Statement (ESS). You must also arrange for your education provider to complete an ESS if you are completing a Year 12 equivalent studies such as External Senior.  


 

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