Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Act 2010 (17 of 2010)

Schedule 4   Higher education assistance for rural and regional students

Social Security Act 1991

1   After Chapter 2B

Insert:

Chapter 2BA - Higher education assistance for rural and regional students

Part 2BA.1 - Higher education assistance for rural and regional students

1061ZZFW Scheme for higher education assistance for rural and regional students

(1) The Minister must, by legislative instrument, determine a scheme for paying $20 million, in the period starting on 1 January 2011 and ending at the end of 30 June 2013, for assistance for the undertaking of higher education by people under 25 years old who both:

(a) have their main place of residence in a rural or regional area; and

(b) would experience financial hardship in undertaking higher education without the assistance.

(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the scheme may deal with the following:

(a) the form of the assistance;

(b) the circumstances in which payment is to be made, or assistance is to be provided, to particular persons;

(c) the amounts of payments to, or assistance for, particular persons;

(d) which persons qualify for payments or assistance;

(e) administrative matters, such as determination of entitlement and how and when payments will be made or assistance will be provided.

(3) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, vary the scheme, but not so as to reduce the total of payments to less than $20 million or delay the day by which that amount is to be paid.