Please refer to Centrelink directly for support and advice about your options or eligibility for Austudy or other Centrelink or DSS supports during your studies.
Cairnmillar is an approved for the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP). We can provide proof of enrolment letters for Centrelink on request. See: https://my.cairnmillar.edu.au/knowledgebase/i-need-a-letter-of-enrolment-for-centrelink-ahpra-other/
If you are otherwise eligible and studying full-time the following Cairnmillar courses are approved by Centrelink for Austudy:
- Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
- Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science
- Graduate Certificate of Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (see notes)
- Master of Professional Psychology
- Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology)
Note: As far as we are aware, the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy is currently eligible. We have however had conflicting advice at various times about the status of this course for student payments, often due to ongoing changes and lack of clarity in PACFA registration and training standards. As of 26 February 2019 the DSS advised that the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy is approved. Should PACFA standards change and allow the Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy (full-time) as a registration option then this approval/advice for the Masters level may change again. Please check with Centrelink to be sure of your options and eligibility. For more information on PACFA registration see: https://my.cairnmillar.edu.au/knowledgebase/provisional-pacfa-registration/
Approval of Masters Courses for Student Payments
Student payments (including Youth Allowance (student), Austudy, ABSTUDY, and the Pensioner Education Supplement) are restricted by the government.
The Department of Social Services (DSS) only approves masters courses for student payments which meet specific legislated criteria. Generally, only masters by coursework programs where DSS consider that the “qualification is legally or professional required for entry-level employment in a profession” and/or “The course is the fastest pathway to professional entry-level employment provided by the institution” will be approved as eligible for student payments.
Centrelink for MPPP (Interns)
The Master of Professional Psychology Practice (MPPP Internship) is not approved for student payments. The DSS assessed that a MPPP degree was not “legally or professional required for entry-level employment in a profession” even though the Internship itself is required. Some MPPP students and other interns have been able to work with Centrelink to find alternative support options while they complete their internship year. We recommend that you raise this with Centrelink directly if you may be impacted.
Centrelink for DPsych
As a doctoral degree the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) is not eligible for student payments.
Centrelink for MCP(PostReg)
The Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration) is a post-registration program designed to upskill working professionals and is not eligible for Centrelink payments.
Centrelink for Child, Youth and Family (CYF)
Because the Child, Youth and Family suite are only offered part-time they will not normally be eligible for Centrelink support. The Master of Child, Youth and Family is not eligible for Centrelink payments.