The Grant

The grant can provide for:

• Course fees
• Payment of Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) fees for the first year of a university course
• First year Higher Education student contribution
• Child care to cover the parent’s attendance at training
• Broadband access where the participant is studying by remote access (distance learning)
• Transport costs incurred to attend training where there is demonstrated need
• Course materials such as prescribed books and software required for the course or other prescribed tools and equipment required for the course
• Uniforms required for specific training e.g. hospitality uniform.

The grant is to be used to directly assist the parent to participate in training to return to the workforce.

Examples of activities that will not be funded include:

• Rent, utility bills and any other household or personal bills
• Medical bills
• Vehicle registration, running costs, traffic and parking infringements
• Car hire
• Health Club / Gym membership
• Capital expenditures
• Furniture and office equipment including desks, chairs, filing cabinets etc
• Mobile phones, cameras, computers and related equipment
• Stationery not specifically required as part of the course

How to claim training related costs

Once a parent has enrolled in a course, the training provider will record details of the course on the Returning to Earning website and will make a claim on the parent’s behalf for the cost of the course.

The process for making a claim for training related costs, other than course fees, depends on whether you have a login for this website.

If you have been provided with a login, complete the Make a Claim form in your secure login area. Once you have made a claim you will need to print out the claim form and any other provided forms. You will need to send the receipt for your claim, signed and dated by the parent on the reverse side, along with the printed claim form and other related forms to the address below.

If you do not have a login, download an appropriate form from the list below. Mail the completed claim request form and the original receipt, signed and dated by the parent on the reverse side to the address below.

Claiming child care costs

Claims can be made for child care costs incurred on the days a grant holder attends training. Claims for childcare expenses must meet the following criteria:

• Childcare must be taken at a registered childcare centre.
• The childcare costs must be paid for by the grant holder and evidence of payment provided, with payment in the grant holders name.
• The online claim form and associated download form must be completed. The downloaded form must be verified by the training provider or course teacher.
• The printed online claim form, download form, and childcare expense statement must be mailed to the RTE address.

Students studying via distance learning should contact the program hotline on 1300 303 413 if they wish to claim childcare for study hours.

Note that insufficient documentation will delay the reimbursement process. Please contact the Hotline staff before you make your claim if you are unsure about what you need to provide. Note that Returning to Earning may contact your training provider or childcare provider to clarify any details you provide.

	Claim request for training related costs (PDF 87KB) Claim request for child care expenses (PDF 41KB) Claim request for transport (PDF 87KB)

Returning to Earning Program
AMES Education
GPO Box 4728
Melbourne 3001

Parents will receive their refund within 2 weeks from the date of receipt of the required documentation by the Returning to Earning program.

Grant Conditions

• Grants must be activated by enrolment in an appropriate, eligible course within 3 months of date of issue. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture.
• The grant is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
• Any unused entitlement will be forfeited at the end of 12 months.
• Only one grant can be used per person for the life of the program (including PRTW except for circumstances addressed under Grant Eligibility).
• For the initial allocation (February 2008) only, participants who have applied for a course after 1 January 2008 and have been accepted into that course, may claim the costs of that course against a grant.

	Am I eligible for the Program?

For more information about the Parents Returning to Earning Program contact:

Parents Returning to Earning Program
AMES (Adult Multicultural Education Services)
Phone: 1300 303 413