La Trobe University Postgraduate Association Inc. (LUPA)

News Item

FACT SHEET ONE‐OFF $950 TRAINING AND LEARNING BONUS PAYMENT

Published 04-05-2009

What is the Training and Learning Bonus?

The Australian Government’s Nation Building and Jobs Plan announced on 3 February 2009 is designed to support jobs across Australia and invest in the nation’s future long‐term economic growth. To assist eligible postgraduate scholarship students with study costs during the 2009 academic year, the plan includes a one‐off $950 Training and Learning Bonus payment.

Who is eligible?

The bonus is payable to eligible postgraduate students who receive an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA), an APA (Industry) or National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) PhD scholarship, or postgraduate students in receipt of any other scholarship, where the scholarship is equivalent in value and nature to an APA. To be eligible, a postgraduate student must: • be undertaking full‐time study in a higher education degree by research program in Semester 1 2009, • be living in Australia on the date of claim, • be a citizen, or permanent resident, of Australia, • not already hold a research doctorate, • be in receipt of, for Semester 1 2009 - an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA), or - an Australian Postgraduate Award (Industry) (APA(I)) or National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) PhD scholarship, or - a qualifying scholarship: (a) the value of which is at least $20 427 in the 2009 calendar year, and (b) that is payable as a stipend.

How do I claim?

If you believe you meet these criteria, you may be eligible for the bonus. To lodge a claim complete the claim form (available on the Centrelink website at www.centrelink.gov.au from 11 May 2009) and mail it with your supporting documentation to: Training and Learning Bonus Postgraduate Scholarship Holders Processing Centre - Centrelink, Locked Bag 5 Wallsend NSW 2287

When will I be paid?

Payment will be made as early as possible. Bonus payments to eligible postgraduate students are expected to be made from 18 May 2009. Payment will be credited directly into the bank account nominated by you on your claim form.

Further information For information about eligibility and the claim process, please go to the Centrelink website at www.centrelink.gov.au or contact Centrelink on 13 24 90.

The above information from Australian Government - Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.