OS-HELP (OS) & Revised OS-HELP (RO) scope

Version Details

Version: 5.1
First Year: 2014
Last Year: 2014

About

The OS‑HELP (OS) file contains records of students who receive OS‑HELP assistance.

OS‑HELP provides financial assistance to eligible students to undertake some of the study towards their Australian qualification overseas. OS‑HELP assistance may be used to cover expenses associated with the overseas study, such as airfares, accommodation and other expenses. OS‑HELP assistance may also be used for language study.

This Revised OS‑HELP (RO) file enables providers to revise previously reported OS‑HELP data. This file is used in the OS‑HELP Revisions submission (see Revisions below).

For more information about OS‑HELP see the Administrative Information for Providers (AIP): Student Support.

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Timing

Timing of submissions is detailed in the reporting schedule for the relevant reporting year.

There are two deadlines a year for OS‑HELP submissions. The first submission includes debts incurred between 1 January and 30 June. The second submission includes debts incurred between 1 July and 31 December.

The submission dates included in the reporting schedule are the final deadlines when data should be received by the department. Data can be submitted prior to the due date.

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Submission method

The OS file is one of two files incorporated in the OS‑HELP submission. The other file is the Commonwealth Assisted Students (DU) file. In each OS‑HELP submission, if there is a record on the OS file, there must be a matching record on the DU file for the same reporting year and period.

When reporting an OS‑HELP submission it is recommended that you read DU file scope guidelines in conjunction with the OS scope.

Submissions are made using the Higher Education Provider Client Assistance Tool (HEPCAT). More information about this process is in the HEPCAT User Guide Part 2.

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Structure

Information about the structure and the elements in the OS/RO files are in the structure guidelines for the relevant reporting year.

Each record in the OS/RO files must have a unique combination of values for:

These elements are the key identifiers for a student's OS‑HELP record. A record to be revised will be matched on these elements.

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Revisions

OS‑HELP data that has previously been reported to the department in an OS‑HELP submission can be revised through an OS‑HELP Revision submission.

The OS‑HELP Revisions submission incorporates data from two files:

When reporting an OS‑HELP Revisions submission it is recommended that you read the OR and DU file scope guidelines in conjunction with these scope guidelines.

Revised data can be submitted at any time. For detailed information on how to revise previously reported load liability data see the higher education revision guides.

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More information

For more information about terms used in these guidelines see the glossary.


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