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Post by firefly on May 3, 2020 8:24:23 GMT 7
Hi everyone, I'm new here today. I don't know where else to go to get some answers...
I am on a DSP and am an Australian citizen/resident. I am 37 years old, single with no dependants.
I am, at this stage capable of working/studying part-time (so as not to exceed the 30hrs)
I want to go to Vietnam next year for 12 months... but nearly every site tells me this is impossible without losing my pension!!
I thought I may have found a way, when I stumbled across a criteria that states I could possibly be allowed to study full time overseas without having my payment cut off, if I am studying an australian approved course.
I found many TAFE courses that I would be willing to commit to during my time away...
However, to the best of my recollection, studying FULL-TIME exceeds the 30hrs and therefore would still affects my DSP payment...?
So now I'm confused!!
Can I sign up to an Australian approved course and study it part-time via distance/online... stretching it out over the duration of my intended stay??
Otherwise, does anyone have any other ideas/suggestions about how to get around this? Could I perhapsworkpart-time in a bar or even help to teach English???
Please help. Thanks in advance
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Post by bear on May 3, 2020 8:43:05 GMT 7
G'day firefly welcome to the forum. We have had a member achieve your aims. I have to go out for a few hours. If you click here hemingway click on view members recent threads. You'll learn all about the process. I'm not sure if the necessary Services Australia contact number is in the thread, however, I'll check back later to read any more queries or thoughts you may have. Cheers bear
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Post by firefly on May 3, 2020 9:20:18 GMT 7
Hi bear. I clicked on Hemingway and both posts and threads are empty. ?
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Post by Banjo on May 3, 2020 9:38:18 GMT 7
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Post by firefly on May 3, 2020 10:13:25 GMT 7
Hi banjo. I clicked on your link and it says "this board is password protected- please enter password "??
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Post by Banjo on May 3, 2020 10:26:46 GMT 7
Personal Message sent.
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Post by firefly on May 3, 2020 17:19:51 GMT 7
hey so Hemingways thread was SOOOOOOO helpful!! Thank you guys so much. It appears there's hope for 12months abroad while keeping my dsp if I study an approved course. My next question is... **** Is there a way to work part-time overseas for the 12 months while still on the dsp??
I'm hoping this question is not too hard. Thanks again for your time and help. Firefly
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Post by Banjo on May 3, 2020 18:40:02 GMT 7
That's a question you need to ask Centrelink. Don't be surprised if they ask you a few questions in return regarding your ability to work.
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Post by firefly on May 4, 2020 5:23:58 GMT 7
Thanks Banjo. Yes, over the last 2 years I have managed to hold down a couple of different jobs... including working for myself...
but i have never worked more than 20 hours a week so my centrelink declared earnings will show that I am capable of working part time.
I hope this helps me when asking permission to leave the country for 12 months.
I will still be under monitoring from my Psychiatrist via phone and/or Skype while I'm away and will have to organise a way to make sure I always have my medication available to me...
guess that'll be a different thread altogether if or when I get the go ahead.
Which area of Centrelink do u have to call to get this information and can u remain anonymous with your enquiry to begin with??
Thanks so much for ur help AGAIN 🤗👌
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Post by bear on May 4, 2020 10:35:39 GMT 7
Call Centrelink International Services on (131673) with a general inquiry to remain anonymous. They are the experts on most things overseas. In your case see highlighted text below. "Bear, Tasjo and Banjo you were all correct - there was no need for me to apply for UP, and once I referred CL to the portability table Bear linked to and SSAct Section 1218 they realised there was a specific team within International Services that deals with this issue, called the 'Restricted Portability' team. This team then confirmed that DSP is payable o/s if you're studying as part of an Australian degree course, independent of applying for UP." dspoverseas.proboards.com/thread/5413/dsp-on-student-exchange-conundrums
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Post by firefly on May 5, 2020 8:46:47 GMT 7
Hi guys, I just got off the phone to CL they were SO RUDE! I aksed to remain anonymous and she said "well my first question would be what are you trying to hide!!!"
I aksed about goin overseas on the DSP for 12months and she said what I expected... 28days only. I aksed if there was another way that I could extend the duration of the stay...
she said "you will have to be reviewed and that may have an affect on whether you are even still eligible to receive DSP at all!! um. What?
I then asked if she could check under section 1218AB to see if I mite be able to meet the criteria... She said "if you're quoting legislation to me then you clearly know what you're doing, If you want any further information then I will need your CRN otherwise I suggest you come in for review as soon as possible"
I politely said thanks for nothing and redailled the number.
A friendly young man seemed to be as helpful as he could... But the news was not good! He said i can't just take an Australian approved course with me overseas to study online... it has to be as part of an "exchange" program course (requiring me to be in my country of choice- VN as PART of the course...)
There are no such courses offered where I am here in Tasmania.
He said the ONLY other way to stay 12months with my DSP is to be rendered incapable of work entirely for a period of 5years!!
Something my doctors will not sign off on. 2 maybe hahaha but not 5.
He said there are no more loop holes or fine print for me find.
These are my only 2 options. They also said it is NOT an option to work in any capacity!😔😔
I know Hemingway had success with her attempt but was it because London was a co operation country? Or that her course was university exchange student??
I feel so defeated right now. 😥
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Post by bear on May 5, 2020 11:53:57 GMT 7
Sorry to hear about your bad interaction with International Services this morning firefly . However I do think you have been given incorrect information. Here are the parameters: section 1218AB Extended portability period for DSP A recipient whose overseas absence is for the purpose of undertaking overseas study as a part of a "full time" Australian course may be paid for the duration of the overseas study as long as the study can be credited towards their Australian course. Australian Apprentices in receipt of DSP will continue to be paid as long as they are working or training overseas in their Australian Apprenticeship and they continue to satisfy the definition of an Australian Apprentice (1.1.A.324). SSAct section 1218 Exception-full-time students outside Australia for purposes of Australian course guides.dss.gov.au/guide-social-security-law/7/1/2/20He said i can't just take an Australian approved course with me overseas to study online...... Correct; you need to be enrolled with an institutionit has to be as part of an "exchange"(see below) program course (requiring me to be in my country of choice- VN as PART of the course...) My thoughts:.if you were to enroll in a Vietnamese Language course at an Australian institution, could find a Vietnamese institution to enroll and study at, where your study would count towards your Australian course; that should satisfy the requirements. The country of overseas study is/should not be at issue.1.There does not appear to be any "exchange" requirements and it's nothing to do with co-operation. It's to do with whether or not your study overseas will count towards your full time Australian course. 2. Regarding hemingway I do believe she was doing a uni course here and was given the opportunity to enroll in uni in London. 3. This has nothing to do with loopholes or fine print..... it's allowable to those who meet the criteria. It is written in legislation. I'm not being critical here, but I think you put the cart before the horse by calling Centrelink so quickly, before you had all of the necessary information; especially if you're not yet enrolled in a course that may or may not meet their requirements. With the situation as it stands re travel at the moment, it may be a good opportunity to scope out courses available and make contingency plans. I would start by contacting Vietnamese educational institutions to see which, if any courses they may have, which may count towards an Australian course, and work backwards from there. Cheers bear If you aren't happy with your treatment this morning call Centrelink Complaints line on: 1800132468 P.S. hemingway had two distinct advantages. Part way through an Australian course and being accepted to study overseas in an institution that could credit her Australian course. Starting from scratch and trying to reverse engineer this scenario to a particular country......whilst it may not be impossible, I don't think it will be easy.
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Post by tasjo on May 5, 2020 16:23:20 GMT 7
The 2nd person you spoke to is partially correct firefly...
You cannot start a course of study and in all circumstances be able to go overseas for 12 months and continue it.
It very much depends on the course and whether the study can be credited towards that course or the study can be performed remotely at all.
It's not a black and white answer unfortunately, when even the legislation says that DSP 'may' be paid it is likely to be based on individual circumstances.
I would be checking for a course first and that it can be studied remotely. If you are looking at UTAS, personal experience (a number of years ago) was that even 'online' courses had a face to face component.
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Post by firefly on May 5, 2020 18:33:41 GMT 7
Sorry to hear about your bad interaction with International Services this morning firefly . However I do think you have been given incorrect information. Here are the parameters: section 1218AB Extended portability period for DSP A recipient whose overseas absence is for the purpose of undertaking overseas study as a part of a "full time" Australian course may be paid for the duration of the overseas study as long as the study can be credited towards their Australian course. Australian Apprentices in receipt of DSP will continue to be paid as long as they are working or training overseas in their Australian Apprenticeship and they continue to satisfy the definition of an Australian Apprentice (1.1.A.324). SSAct section 1218 Exception-full-time students outside Australia for purposes of Australian course guides.dss.gov.au/guide-social-security-law/7/1/2/20He said i can't just take an Australian approved course with me overseas to study online...... Correct; you need to be enrolled with an institutionit has to be as part of an "exchange"(see below) program course (requiring me to be in my country of choice- VN as PART of the course...) My thoughts:.if you were to enroll in a Vietnamese Language course at an Australian institution, could find a Vietnamese institution to enroll and study at, where your study would count towards your Australian course; that should satisfy the requirements. The country of overseas study is/should not be at issue.1.There does not appear to be any "exchange" requirements and it's nothing to do with co-operation. It's to do with whether or not your study overseas will count towards your full time Australian course. 2. Regarding hemingway I do believe she was doing a uni course here and was given the opportunity to enroll in uni in London. 3. This has nothing to do with loopholes or fine print..... it's allowable to those who meet the criteria. It is written in legislation. I'm not being critical here, but I think you put the cart before the horse by calling Centrelink so quickly, before you had all of the necessary information; especially if you're not yet enrolled in a course that may or may not meet their requirements. With the situation as it stands re travel at the moment, it may be a good opportunity to scope out courses available and make contingency plans. I would start by contacting Vietnamese educational institutions to see which, if any courses they may have, which may count towards an Australian course, and work backwards from there. Cheers bear If you aren't happy with your treatment this morning call Centrelink Complaints line on: 1800132468 P.S. hemingway had two distinct advantages. Part way through an Australian course and being accepted to study overseas in an institution that could credit her Australian course. Starting from scratch and trying to reverse engineer this scenario to a particular country......whilst it may not be impossible, I don't think it will be easy. Thanks bear. It is written there in the legislation so I don't see how or why they said it's not possible. To be honest... it really sounded like neither of them could be bothered even taking the call. 🙄 I may have put the cart before the horse but I did remain anonymous for now and don't intend on travelling until March 2021 so have plenty of time to find a course and institution that meet the eligibility criteria. The Vietnamese institution idea sounds great!! I mite look into that. My first choice would be a Cert IV in business management through the tafe institution. To the best of my knowledge this is an Australian approved institute and can be completed 100% via online/distance. The final accreditation would go a long way in helping me get my own business up and running PROPERLY when I return to Australia. What do u think? Also, I was wondering does "full time study" exceed the 15 or 30hr work load for the dsp?? Thanks again for your patience, kindness and help 😊
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Post by firefly on May 5, 2020 18:39:47 GMT 7
The 2nd person you spoke to is partially correct firefly... You cannot start a course of study and in all circumstances be able to go overseas for 12 months and continue it. It very much depends on the course and whether the study can be credited towards that course or the study can be performed remotely at all. It's not a black and white answer unfortunately, when even the legislation says that DSP 'may' be paid it is likely to be based on individual circumstances. I would be checking for a course first and that it can be studied remotely. If you are looking at UTAS, personal experience (a number of years ago) was that even 'online' courses had a face to face component. Thanks for your reply tasjo, So are u saying I should enroll in the course- from an approved Australian institute PRIOR to leaving the country and have the start date to begin after I arrive in Vietnam? I was not looking for a university course but found 100% online courses available through tafe institute- which you the best of my knowledge is approved. Again, no rush, just putting my feelers out to see which way is best to go. I appreciate all the advice I can get. Thank you.
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