STUDENT INCOME
SUPPORT GUIDE
{ FOR YOU THE CAREER ADVISOR TO ASSIST STUDENTS UNDERSTAND
STUDENT INCOME SUPPORT PAYMENTS AND ELIGIBILITY }
WANT TO REFER YOUR STUDENT TO AN ONLINE SOURCE?
Send them to
www.studyassist.gov.au/sites/StudyAssist/StudentIncomeSupport
where they can use the
‘Student Income Support Eligibility Information Tool’
that helps them understand what student income
support payments they may be eligible for.
BEGIN
STUDENT INCOME SUPPORT GUIDE
info
info
WHAT IS THIS GUIDE ABOUT?
This guide aims to provide you with detailed information on student payments administered by
the Department of Human Services (Human Services — previously known as Centrelink) and to
help you inform students who are, or who may be considering, undertaking tertiary study or an
Australian Apprenticeship.
HOW DO I USE THIS GUIDE?
Refer to the table on page 2 to get an overview of Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY payments
and the main factors that impact on eligibility for each payment. [click here to see the overview table]
More detailed information can be found on each topic throughout the guide. To find out more
information on a particular topic, click on the relevant links in the contents page.
This is to be used as a guide only and does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for a student payment.
WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?
»» Visit www.humanservices.gov.au
»» Call the Human Services Youth and Students Line on 132 490 (for Youth Allowance andAustudy)
or 132 317 (for ABSTUDY)
»» TTY users telephone 1800 810 586 and request the phone number you wish to contact
»» Speak and listen users (speech-to-speech relay) telephone 1300 555 727 and request the phone
number you wish to contact
»» Internet relay users visit the National Relay Service Website at http://www.relayservice.com.au/
and enter the phone number you wish to contact.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
OVERVIEW2
YOUTH ALLOWANCE
4
AUSTUDY5
ABSTUDY6
SCHOLARSHIPS7
MORE INFORMATION
9
STUDY RULES
APPROVED COURSES
DETERMINING INDEPENDENCE
MEANS TESTING
EARNINGS AND THE STUDENT INCOME BANK
9
10
11
12
13
FAQS14
CASE STUDIES
17
OVERVIEW
Q
Q
WHAT STUDENT PAYMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?
Full-time students and Australian Apprentices may be eligible for Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY
depending on their individual situation.
Please use the table below for more information on what a student may be eligible for.
YOUTH ALLOWANCE
AUSTUDY
ABSTUDY
DESCRIPTION
Financial assistance for full-time
students and Australian Apprentices
aged 16–24 years.
Financial assistance for full-time
students or Australian Apprentices
25 years of age or older.
Financial assistance for Australian
Aboriginal or Torres Strait
Islander students and full-time
Australian Apprentices.
STUDY RULES
For tertiary students, full-time study
is defined as at least ¾ of the standard
full-time load.
For tertiary students, full-time study
is defined as at least ¾ of the standard
full-time load.
For tertiary students, full-time study
is defined as at least ¾ of the standard
full-time load.
Some concessional arrangements
apply for certain students who do not
meet the full-time study load criteria.
Some concessional arrangements
apply for certain students who do not
meet the full-time study load criteria.
Some concessional arrangements
apply for certain students who do not
meet the full-time study load criteria.
Students studying part-time may
still be eligible for income support
administered by Human Services.
Part-time students are encouraged to
talk to a Human Services Officer for
more information on their eligibility.
Students studying part-time may
still be eligible for income support
administered by Human Services.
Part-time students are encouraged to
talk to a Human Services Officer for
more information on their eligibility.
Students studying part-time may
still be eligible for income support
administered by Human Services.
Part-time students are encouraged to
talk to a Human Services Officer for
more information on their eligibility.
Continued on next page
2
DETERMINING
INDEPENDENCE
MEANS TESTING
YOUTH ALLOWANCE
AUSTUDY
ABSTUDY
Students under the age of 22 who do
not meet the independent criteria will
be deemed dependent.
Not relevant.
Students under the age of 22 who do
not meet the independent criteria will
be deemed dependent.
All Austudy recipients are independent.
Being dependent means that a
student’s parents’/guardians’ assets,
income and expenditure may impact
on their eligibility and rate of
student payment.
Being dependent means that a
student’s parents’/guardians’ assets,
income and expenditure may impact
on their eligibility and rate of
student payment.
There are many ways to demonstrate
independence and different criteria
apply for students in regional areas.
There are many ways to demonstrate
independence and different criteria
apply for students in regional, areas.
To determine eligibility or rate
of payment, a student’s income
and assets (and their partner’s if
applicable) will be assessed.
To determine eligibility or rate
of payment, a student’s income
and assets (and their partner’s if
applicable) will be assessed.
To determine eligibility or rate
of payment, a student’s income
and assets (and their partner’s if
applicable) will be assessed.
Where a student is considered
dependent, their parents’/guardians’
income, assets and expenditure will
be assessed to determine if they can
financially support the student while
they are studying.
Parental means testing does not apply
for Austudy.
Where a student is considered
dependent, their parents’/guardians’
income, assets and expenditure will
be assessed to determine if they can
financially support the student while
they are studying.
Parental means testing generally does
not apply to independent students.
Parental means testing generally does
not apply to independent students.
STUDENT
START-UP
SCHOLARSHIP
Eligible full-time higher education
students undertaking an approved
scholarship course may receive
scholarship payments to help with the
up-front costs of studying.
Eligible full-time higher education
students undertaking an approved
scholarship course may receive
scholarship payments to help with the
up-front costs of studying.
Eligible full-time higher education
students undertaking an approved
scholarship course may receive
scholarship payments to help with the
up-front costs of studying.
RELOCATION
SCHOLARSHIP
Eligible full-time higher education
students who are deemed as being
dependent and who have to live away
from home to study may be eligible for
a Relocation Scholarship payment.
Does not apply.
Eligible full-time higher education
students who are deemed as being
dependent and who have to live away
from home to study may be eligible for
a Relocation Scholarship payment.
Also available to independent students
under limited circumstances.
EARNINGS AND
THE STUDENT
INCOME BANK
Also available to independent students
under limited circumstances.
Full-time students can work and earn
up to a fortnightly income free area
of $400 before their student payment
is reduced.
Full-time students can work and earn
up to a fortnightly income free area
of $400 before their student payment
is reduced.
Full-time students can work and earn
up to a fortnightly income free area
of $400 before their student payment
is reduced.
If any of the income free area is not
used, it can be accumulated up to a
maximum amount in a student income
bank to offset times when income is
earned above the income free area.
If any of the income free area is not
used, it can be accumulated up to a
maximum amount in a student income
bank to offset times when income is
earned above the income free area.
If any of the income free area is not
used, it can be accumulated up to a
maximum amount in a student income
bank to offset times when income is
earned above the income free area.
3
YOUTH ALLOWANCE
• Full time students & Australian Apprentices
• 16 – 24 years
• Fortnightly means-tested payment
Youth Allowance provides support
for full-time students and Australian
Apprentices aged 16-24 years who
are in need of financial assistance
to undertake secondary or tertiary
education or training.
It is a means-tested, fortnightly payment administered
by Human Services.
To lodge a Youth Allowance claim, the student must
be an Australian resident and in Australia on the day
on which they lodge their claim. To be paid Youth
Allowance, they also need to have been in Australia
as an Australian resident for at least two years (with
some exceptions).
The amount of Youth Allowance the student receives
depends on whether they are single, have a partner
and/or child(ren), how much they (and their partner)
earns, whether or not they are assessed as being
dependent or independent or if they are living at or
away from their parent’s home.
Assistance for students and Australian Apprentices
aged 25 years or over is generally provided through
Austudy. [click here to go to the Austudy page]
YOUTH ALLOWANCE FOR STUDENTS
UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE
If a student is under 18 years of age, they can only
qualify for Youth Allowance under certain circumstances.
For example, students under 18 years of age who have
not completed year 12 (or equivalent), can only qualify
for Youth Allowance if they:
»» are in full-time study or training in a post-secondary
course, or
»» have a disability which prevents them from studying
a post-secondary course full-time and they are
studying a post-secondary course part-time, or
»» agree to enter an Employment Pathway Plan, or
»» are a full-time Australian Apprentice, or
»» are the principal carer of a dependent child(ren), or
»» are independent for other reasons, or dependent and
living away from home.
If a student is under 18 years of age,
they can only qualify for Youth Allowance
under certain circumstances
If the student is temporarily unable to study or train
because of an illness, or for certain other reasons,
they may be granted a short-term exemption from
these requirements for up to 13 weeks.
Students are encouraged to contact Human Services to
discuss the special rules that apply to students under
18 and to find out how these rules relate to their own
individual situation.
4
AUSTUDY
• Full time students & Australian Apprentices
QUALIFYING FOR AUSTUDY
• 25 years of age and over
To qualify for Austudy, a person must meet the
following criteria:
• Fortnightly means-tested payment
»» Be of Austudy payment age, AND
»» Satisfy the residency requirements, AND
Austudy provides financial help to
people who are 25 years of age or
older who are undertaking either
approved full-time study or a
full-time Australian Apprenticeship.
»» Be undertaking qualifying study OR a full-time
Australian Apprenticeship.
It is a means-tested, fortnightly payment administered
by Human Services.
»» A qualification of the same standing from an
overseas institution.
A person may not be eligible for Austudy if they
have already completed:
»» A Doctorate or a qualification of the same standing
from an Australian institution, OR
The amount of Austudy a student may receive depends
on whether they are single, have a partner and/or
child(ren) and how much they (and their partner) earn.
Income support for eligible full-time students under the
age of 25 years is available through Youth Allowance.
[click here to go to the Youth Allowance page]
Q
Q
If a 24 year old student is receiving Youth Allowance, do they automatically start
receiving Austudy from the time they turn 25?
A: The minimum age for Austudy is 25 years. However, full-time students and Australian Apprentices
who are in receipt of Youth Allowance immediately before turning 25 and who intend to continue
studying the same course or intend to complete the same apprenticeship or traineeship will contineu
to receive Youth Allowance while completing their course or apprenticeship.
5
ABSTUDY
• Full time students & Australian Apprentices
• Australian Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islanders
• Fortnightly means-tested payment
ABSTUDY provides a means-tested
living allowance and a range of
supplementary benefits to assist
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
students and apprentices.
To be eligible for ABSTUDY a student must be:
»» an Australian citizen
»» an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
»» enrolled in an approved course or undertaking an
Australian Apprenticeship
»» not receiving any other government assistance to
study or complete an apprenticeship, and
»» living in Australia.
Depending on the student’s individual circumstances
and course of study, apprenticeship or traineeship,
they may be eligible for ABSTUDY assistance to help
with the costs of education, accommodation, living
expenses and fares (if they need to study away
from home).
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There are many types of ABSTUDY payments, depending on the circumstances of the student. In
order to provide the best advice to your students, more detailed information on each ABSTUDY
payment can be found on the following websites:
Department of Human Services:
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/abstudy
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations:
http://www.deewr.gov.au/Indigenous/Schooling/Programs/Pages/abstudy.aspx
Students are also encouraged to consult with the Department of Human Services ABSTUDY Call
Centre on 132 317 for advice on their individual circumstances.
6
SCHOLARSHIPS
STUDENT START-UP SCHOLARSHIP
RELOCATION SCHOLARSHIP
• Assists with up-front study costs
(e.g. text books or specialised equipment)
• Assists with living away from home costs
• For students receiving Youth Allowance,
ABSTUDY or Austudy
• For dependent higher education students
receiving Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY
• One lump sum payment each year
• Two lump sum payments each year
To be eligible for a Student Start-up Scholarship, a
student must be receiving Youth Allowance, Austudy,
or ABSTUDY Living Allowance and be a full-time
higher education student undertaking an accredited
higher education or university preparatory course
(e.g. an enabling or foundation course) at a university
or another approved higher education provider.
Eligible students will automatically receive the
Student Start-up Scholarship generally soon after
the beginning of each traditional semester (in each
half year period) and it is paid to eligible students
twice a year in equal instalments. The first payment
normally coincides with the start of the traditional
academic year.
The Relocation Scholarship provides assistance to
eligible dependent Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY Living
Allowance recipients enrolled full-time in an approved
higher education or university preparatory course
(e.g. an enabling or foundation course) at a university
or another approved higher education provider and who
need to live away from home to study.
Under limited circumstances, some independent higher
education students who are disadvantaged by certain
personal circumstances, who need to live away from
home to study and are receiving Youth Allowance or
ABSTUDY may be eligible for a Relocation Scholarship.
It is a lump sum payment paid each year to help with the
costs of living away from home. The payment normally
coincides with the start of the traditional academic year.
Important information about Scholarships continued on next page
View David’s Case Study
David is a full-time, dependent university student living away from home to study.
Click on the icon to find out if he is eligible for a scholarship payment.
7
SCHOLARSHIPS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
»» A student does not need to make a separate claim
for a scholarship payment. When a claim for Youth
Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY is submitted,
eligibility for a scholarship will be assessed at the
same time. The information a student provides to
Human Services during the application process
will help to determine a student’s eligibility for a
scholarship payment.
»» Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses
at TAFE or a private VET provider do not attract
a scholarship. If a TAFE or private VET provider
is registered as a higher education provider that
delivers an accredited higher education course
(e.g. an associate degree or bachelor degree),
that course may be an approved course for
scholarship payments.
»» Scholarship payments are not payable if:
–– A student does not continue full-time study
for at least 35 days after qualifying for the
scholarship, or
–– A student also receives, or qualifies for, any
type of Commonwealth Accommodation
Scholarship or Commonwealth Education Costs
Scholarship, or
Q
–– A student is in receipt of a Relocation
Scholarship or Student Start-up Scholarship
paid by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Q
If I go to TAFE, can I get a Student Start-Up or Relocation Scholarship?
A: No. It is important to note that even though a course is approved for the payment of Youth
Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY, it does not mean that it will automatically attract a scholarship
payment. Students must be undertaking an approved scholarship course. Approved scholarship
courses include accredited higher education or university preparatory courses (e.g. an enabling or
foundation course) undertaken at a university or another approved higher education provider
(which could be a TAFE). This was also the case under the previous Commonwealth Scholarships
program, which was introduced in 2004 and was administered by universities and only available
to university students.
8
MORE INFORMATION
STUDY RULES
FULL-TIME STUDY
For secondary students, full-time study includes:
»» attending full-time at a secondary school, or
»» enrolled in and studying at least 75 per cent of the
normal full-time study load at an institution other
than a secondary school or by correspondence/
distance education.
Students undertaking competency based training/open
learning courses will have varied weekly hours and the
institution is best placed to determine the study load
the student is undertaking during a period.
For tertiary students, full-time study is defined as
at least three quarters of the standard full-time load.
But, the full-time load differs depending on whether
the course is a Commonwealth supported course
(a course for which HECS-HELP is available)
or a fee-paying course.
For a Commonwealth supported course, a student
is considered full-time when:
»» they maintain at least an aggregate Equivalent Full
Time Study Load (EFTSL) of 75 per cent of a normal
amount of full-time study for their course over a
year (e.g. 0.75 for a full year), OR
»» If enrolled on a trimester or semester basis, they
maintain an aggregate EFTSL of at least 75 per
cent of a normal amount of full-time study for their
course over the trimester or semester (e.g. 0.375
for a semester).
For a fee-paying course (or non-Commonwealth
supported courses), a student is considered
full‑time if:
»» they are doing at least three quarters of the full‑time
load and the institution classifies their course as
full-time, or
»» they are undertaking an amount of study equivalent
to at least three quarters of the average amount
required to complete the course in the minimum
time, or
»» if neither of the first or second conditions apply, they
undertake at least 15 hours face-to-face study in
a week (this may be a combination of lectures and
formal consultations with course supervisors).
PART-TIME STUDY
If a student is studying part-time, under certain
circumstances, they may still be eligible for student
payments administered by Human Services.
For example, tertiary students who are not
undertaking full-time study may still qualify for the
Pensioner Education Supplement, Youth Allowance,
Austudy or ABSTUDY if they meet the requirements
for concessional study-load students (see more
information below).
Human Services also administers several other
payments to support students while undertaking
activities that may increase their chances of finding a
job, such as part-time study. If a student is studying
part-time, they may also need to look for work or
undertake other activities to be eligible for a student
payment. More information on these other payments
can be found on the Human Services website.
Study rules continued on next page
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MORE INFORMATION
CONCESSIONAL STUDY LOADS
(AUSTUDY AND YOUTH ALLOWANCE)
Secondary and tertiary students who are studying
at least two thirds of the normal full-time load may
still be eligible for Youth Allowance or Austudy as a
full-time student if their study load has been reduced
because of:
»» the institution’s normal requirements, for example,
timetable clashes, subject prerequisites have not
been satisfied because of failure or other reasons,
subject stopped or over-enrolled, or reduced study
load needed to complete the course, or
CONCESSIONAL STUDY LOAD FOR
STUDENTS WITH A DISABILITY
(AUSTUDY ONLY)
Concessional rules can apply for some students who
have a physical, psychiatric or intellectual disability.
For instance, under certain circumstances, some
students may still be able to receive Austudy if they
are undertaking at least 25 per cent of the normal
full-time study load for the course. Students are
encouraged to contact Human Services to discuss
their individual situation further.
»» a specific direction in writing from the academic
registrar or equivalent officer, or
»» a recommendation in writing from the academic
registrar or equivalent officer for academic or
vocational reasons, regardless of whether or not
a reason is given with the recommendation.
APPROVED COURSES
An approved course of education or study is one
approved by the Minister for Tertiary Education who
has the authority to approve courses and institutions
for student payment assistance.
The Minister has issued a legislative instrument
(Ministerial Determination) called the Student
Assistance (Education Institutions and Courses)
Determination that outlines courses approved in
relation to receiving student payments.
Most accredited higher education and Vocational
Education and Training (VET) courses, other than
specific Masters by Coursework programs that are
listed separately in the Determination, are approved
courses for student payments. Other Masters courses
and Doctorate level courses are not approved courses
for Youth Allowance and Austudy.
Assistance under ABSTUDY based on the Australian
Postgraduate Awards model is provided for students
to undertake higher degrees at the Masters and
Doctorate levels.
To view a copy of the legislative instrument and the list
of courses set out in the Determination visit
http://www.deewr.gov.au/HigherEducation/Programs/
StudentSupport/Pages/StudentIncomeSupport.aspx
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MORE INFORMATION
DETERMINING
INDEPENDENCE
Students under the age of 22 will have their
independence assessed by Human Services if they
|apply for a student payment.
A student is considered independent if they meet any
one of the following criteria;
»» aged 22 or more and a full-time student or
Australian Apprentice
»» are or have been legally married, in a registered
relationship, or living in a de facto relationship with
another person as a member of a couple
»» have, or have had, a dependent child
»» have supported themself through employment
(see below)
»» have parents who cannot exercise
their responsibilities
»» are unable to live at home, due to extreme family
breakdown, violence in the home, or serious threats
to their health or well-being
»» are a refugee without parents who are living
in Australia
»» are an orphan and have not been legally adopted
»» are in state care, or only stopped being in state care
because of their age
»» independence through workforce
participation (employment).
A student may also be considered independent if they
demonstrate that they have worked full-time in paid
employment for at least 18 months within a period of
two years. Full-time employment means working for
an average of at least 30 hours per week throughout
the 18 months.
Where a young person has not consistently had 30 hours
of work per week, their hours of work can be averaged
over periods of 13 weeks provided they can reasonably be
considered to be engaged in full-time employment through
the 18 month period.
INDEPENDENCE CRITERIA FOR
STUDENTS IN REGIONAL AND
REMOTE AUSTRALIA
If the tertiary student’s family home is in a regional area
— classified as inner regional, outer regional, remote
or very remote according to the Australian Standard
Geographical Classification and they are a full-time
student and they need to live away from their family home
to study and their parents’ income is less than $150,000
per annum, independence can be demonstrated if they
have supported themself through paid employment by:
»» earning at least 75 per cent of the Wage Level A of the
National Training Wage Schedule included in a modern
award (currently $21,618) within an
18 month period since last leaving secondary school
(a period of 18 months must have elapsed since last
leaving school before being eligible as an independent
student), or
»» working in part-time paid employment of at least 15
hours per week for at least 2 years since last leaving
secondary school.
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE DEPENDENT
Students under the age of 22 who do not meet the
independence criteria will be deemed dependent.
Being dependent means that the student’s parents’
income, assets and expenditure may impact on their
eligibility and rate of student payment.
Before the student’s eligibility for, or rate of, payment can
be determined, Human Services will assess their parents’
income, assets and/or family actual means.
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MORE INFORMATION
MEANS TESTING
»» Family Assets Test: takes into account personal,
business and farming assets.
PERSONAL INCOME AND ASSETS
»» Family Actual Means Test: applies if a student’s
parents are self-employed, have income or
assets outside Australia, have claimed a business
loss, have interests in a trust or company, or are
business migrants.
When a student completes an application for a student
payment, Human Services will assess their personal
income and assets (and their partner’s if applicable) to
work out eligibility for payment, or to determine the rate
of payment they may receive.
Human Services will ask for verification of income,
including money received from employment or
investments. Income may be verified by providing tax
returns, payslips or a letter from an employer.
Human Services will also complete a personal assets
test to work out the rate of a student payment.
Assets include things such as property, cars or
financial investments owned either partly or wholly.
An application for student payments may be rejected,
or the start date for payments may be delayed, if a
student has assets that exceed certain thresholds.
Where parental income is above the threshold (currently
$46,355), the amount of Youth Allowance payable to
a dependent young person is gradually reduced by
20 per cent ($1 for each $5 of parental income above
the threshold). The parental income cut-off is higher for
students who need to live away from home to study.
The more siblings receiving Youth Allowance in a family,
or 16–19 year olds in full-time secondary education,
the higher the parental income threshold is before
Youth Allowance cuts out completely.
PARENTAL INCOME AND ASSETS
FOR DEPENDENT STUDENTS
The parental income test arrangements are the same
for all dependent students no matter whether they are
from metropolitan or regional areas.
The parental means test is used to work out whether
a student’s parents can financially support them while
they study. There are three parts to the parental means
testing arrangements that may be used to assess the
impact of the student’s parents’ financial situation:
»» Parental Income Test: considers combined parental
taxable income, child support, fringe benefits,
superannuation contributions, net passive business
losses and the number and circumstances of any
other dependent children in the student’s family
who are 16 years of age or older in full-time study.
Eligibility for a student payment, or how much a
student receives, is also impacted by the number and
circumstances of any other children in the family.
View Lucy and Matthew’s
Case Study
Eligibility for a student payment, or
how much a student recieves, is also
impacted by the number and
circumstances of any other children in
the family. Click on the icon to find out
how Lucy’s family situation impacts on
her eligibility for a student payment.
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MORE INFORMATION
WAITING PERIODS
A student may qualify for Youth Allowance, Austudy or
ABSTUDY but need to serve a waiting period before
payment can commence. A waiting period may apply
if the student:
»» Has liquid assets (for example, money in the bank
or cash) worth more than $2,500 (single recipients),
or $5,000 (recipients with a partner or child)
»» had a lump sum compensation payment (for
example, insurance payouts for damages)
»» was not born in Australia and has not lived in
Australia for a total of 2 years
»» or their partner received a payment for leave
entitlements or a redundancy payment
»» or their partner ceased seasonal, contract or
intermittent work in the 6 months before claiming
and earned money above a certain level from
that work
»» voluntarily left employment without a valid reason
or were dismissed from employment due to
misconduct (this only applies to job seekers), or
»» has not started their course.
Full-time tertiary students claiming Youth Allowance or
Austudy, may have their liquid assets reduced by certain
allowable deductions directly related to their course of
study. Human Services will use the information provided
in a claim form to work out any deductions that apply.
EARNINGS AND THE
STUDENT INCOME BANK
STUDENTS
The Student Income Bank is available to people
on Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY who are
full‑time students. While studying, a student can
work and earn up to certain thresholds before a
student payment is reduced.
A student can accumulate any unused part of their
fortnightly income free area of $400 over the duration
of their study up to a maximum of $10,000. The Student
Income Bank can then be used to offset income earned
at a later date. It allows students the flexibility to earn
money later without necessarily affecting their payment
of Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY.
APPRENTICES
The Income Bank is also available to people on
Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY who are
full-time Australian Apprentices. Apprentices can
accumulate any unused part of their fortnightly
income free area of $400 over the duration of the
apprenticeship or traineeship up to a maximum
of $1,000. The Income Bank can then be used to
offset income earned at a later date.
13
FAQS
Students often approach careers
advisors with specific questions
about student payments. Below is a
list of commonly asked questions and
relevant answers that may assist you
in advising your students.
ARE THERE OTHER PAYMENTS THAT
HUMAN SERVICES MAKE THAT I MIGHT
BE ELIGIBLE FOR IF I CAN’T GET A
STUDENT PAYMENT?
Human Services administers several other
payments to support people while undertaking activities
that may increase their chances of finding a job, such
as part‑time study. If a student is studying part-time,
they may also need to look for work or undertake other
activities to be eligible for an income support payment.
More information on these other payments can be
found on the Human Services website.
HOW DO I FIND OUT IF MY HOME
IS CLASSED AS INNER REGIONAL,
OUTER REGIONAL, REMOTE OR
VERY REMOTE?
WHAT IF I HAVE WORKED
IRREGULAR HOURS, CAN I STILL BE
CLASSIFIED AS BEING INDEPENDENT?
All students (metropolitan and regional) are able
to establish independence for Youth Allowance through
working if they have had full-time employment in one
or more jobs averaging 30 hours or more per week for
at least 18 months during a two-year period. Where a
young person has not consistently had 30 hours work
per week, their hours of work can be averaged over
periods of up to 13 weeks provided that they can
reasonably be considered to be engaged in full-time
employment throughout the 18 month period.
CAN INDEPENDENT STUDENTS
QUALIFY FOR RELOCATION
SCHOLARSHIP?
The Relocation Scholarship is designed to assist
dependent students with the cost of establishing
new accommodation in order to undertake study
away from home. The scholarship may also be paid
to independent students who are disadvantaged by
personal circumstances and are generally unable to
live in the parental home.
To find out whether a student’s family home
is located in an area classified as a Major City,
Inner Regional, Outer Regional, Remote or Very
Remote, follow this link to an interactive map:
http://www.doctorconnect.gov.au/internet/otd/
Publishing.nsf/Content/locator, and enter a postcode
or full address for a more accurate result.
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FAQS
WHY AM I NOT INDEPENDENT IF I
AM 18 YEARS OLD?
While young people over the age of 18 may be
considered by the community to be independent
and able to undertake various activities associated
with adulthood, they may still be dependent on their
parents for financial assistance. Under Youth Allowance
and ABSTUDY, it is recognised that some young people
will establish financial independence from their
parents and are self-supporting. These young people
are considered independent and the amount of Youth
Allowance payable to them is generally not affected
by parental means testing.
IF I GO TO TAFE, CAN I GET A
STUDENT START-UP OR RELOCATION
SCHOLARSHIP?
No. It is important to note that even though
a course is approved for the payment of Youth
Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY, it does not mean
that it will automatically attract a scholarship
payment. Students must be undertaking an approved
scholarship course. Approved scholarship courses
include accredited higher education or university
preparatory courses (e.g. an enabling or foundation
course) undertaken at a university or another
approved higher education provider (which could be
a TAFE.) This was also the case under the previous
Commonwealth Scholarships program, which
was introduced in 2004 and was administered by
universities and only available to university students.
IS THERE ANY ASSISTANCE
AVAILABLE TO HELP ME PAY RENT
WHILE I STUDY?
Rent Assistance is an additional form of support
available to young people receiving student payments
to help them with the costs of accommodation.
The amount of Rent Assistance payable is based on
the amount of rent paid by the young person above
a specified rent threshold, and whether the person is
sharing the accommodation with others. This ensures
that people paying similar amounts of rent receive
assistance at similar levels based on the ongoing costs
of their accommodation. Rent Assistance is not paid:
»» to people paying rent to a government housing
authority, although in some situations sub-tenants
may qualify for Rent Assistance
»» for residents of Australian Government funded
nursing homes and hostels
»» to single Disability Support Pensioners aged under
21, without dependants, living with parents.
HOW DO I MAKE AN APPLICATION
FOR A STUDENT PAYMENT?
Contact Human Services over the phone,
collect an application form in person at one of the
Human Services offices or use the Human Services
online services to complete an application:
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/subjects/
get-it-done-online
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FAQS
HOW DO I FIND OUT THE RATES OF
STUDENT PAYMENTS?
If you think you may be eligible for a student
payment, Human Services has online estimators that
lets you estimate or compare payments. Click here to
access the rate estimators.
WHAT ISN’T CONSIDERED INCOME
OR AN ASSET?
Income does NOT include:
»» Family Tax Benefit
»» Tools for Your Trade payments
»» some other scholarships
WHAT IF I AM ALREADY GETTING
YOUTH ALLOWANCE BUT I’M ABOUT
TO TURN 25 YEARS OLD — DO I
AUTOMATICALLY START GETTING
AUSTUDY FROM THE DAY I TURN 25?
Full-time students and Australian Apprentices
who were in receipt of Youth Allowance immediately
before turning 25 and who intend to continue
studying the same course or intend to complete
the same apprenticeship or traineeship, continue
to receive Youth Allowance while completing their
course or apprenticeship.
»» health insurance benefits, or
»» pay and allowances received by Defence Force
reservists (Army, Navy and Air Force) other
than pay and allowances in respect of full-time
continuous service.
WHAT ISN’T CONSIDERED AN ASSET:
»» the principal family home (and up to 2 hectares
of privately used surrounding land on the
same title document as the home) and any
permanent fixtures such as wall-to-wall carpet
and wall heaters
»» special aids for people with disabilities
»» some income stream products
»» cemetery plots
»» pre-paid funeral expenses
»» certain funeral bonds
»» accommodation bonds.
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CASE STUDIES
DAVID: DEPENDANT, AT UNIVERSITY, LIVING AWAY FROM HOME,
LOW INCOME FAMILY.
David is 18 years old and has been living with his parents after finishing high school in Parkes, NSW. He has
accepted a place in the Bachelor of Agricultural Science course at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.
He has moved away from home to live on campus in university accommodation while completing his studies.
Because of his parents’ low income, which is under the parental income test threshold, as a dependant David is
eligible for the maximum rate of Youth Allowance and may also receive Rent Assistance (depending on the type and
cost of his accommodation). Because he needed to move away from home to study he is entitled to a Relocation
Scholarship and will receive a Student Start-Up Scholarship payment each half-year to help him with the costs of
textbooks and study equipment.
David is also aware that he can supplement his income through part-time work while studying, earning up to $400
a fortnight before his payments are reduced. He is very happy about this because it means that he can pool his
resources together to buy his own laptop.
Eligible for: Youth Allowance, Rent Assistance, Relocation and Student Start-up Scholarships.
JESSICA: INDEPENDENT, 20 YEARS OLD, AT UNIVERSITY, LIVING AWAY
FROM HOME
Jessica, aged 20, has been working full-time in hospitality in her home town of Port Douglas since she finished
secondary school two years ago. She has decided to broaden her career prospects by studying law full-time, which
requires her to move to Cairns to take up a place at James Cook University.
Because she has been working full-time (an average of at least 30 hours per week) for at least 18 months out of
the previous two years, Jessica qualifies as independent under Youth Allowance.
Jessica hopes her hospitality experience will help her find part-time work in Cairns to supplement her Youth
Allowance payment. She will be able to earn up to $400 a fortnight before her benefit is reduced. While she is
studying, Jessica will also receive a Student Start-up Scholarship payment each half-year of her degree program.
She may also be eligible for other benefits associated with Youth Allowance, such as Rent Assistance. Even though
Jessica is living away from home, she is not eligible for the Relocation Scholarship as she has been deemed
independent through employment under Youth Allowance.
Eligible for: Youth Allowance, Rent Assistance, Student Start-up Scholarship
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CASE STUDIES
JULIA: INDEPENDENT, FROM OUTER REGIONAL AUSTRALIA, LIVING AWAY
FROM HOME TO STUDY
Julia lives with her parents in Goondiwindi, Queensland. She took a gap year immediately after finishing secondary
school and is now studying Economics at Queensland University. She needed to move away from home to pursue
her chosen tertiary course.
As Julia is from a regional area she is able to qualify for independent Youth Allowance under concessional
workforce participation arrangements for independence as her parents’ income is less than $150 000 per annum.
As she is eligible for Youth Allowance as an independent, she will also receive Student Start-up Scholarship
payments for each year of study to help her with the cost of books and study equipment and may also be eligible
for the other benefits associated with Youth Allowance, such as Rent Assistance (depending on the type and cost of
her accommodation).
Eligible for: Youth Allowance, Student Start-up Scholarship, Rent Assistance.
LUCY AND MATTHEW: DEPENDENT, CHANGES IN SIBLING CIRCUMSTANCES
Lucy is 18 years old, lives with her parents in Canberra and will soon commence a Bachelor of Commerce at the
Australian National University.
Lucy’s older brother Matthew is in his final year of a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Sydney and
lives in Sydney. Their parent’s combined income is $95,000.
If Lucy was an only child and living at home, she would not be eligible for Youth Allowance because of her parent’s
income. However, as Matthew is also dependent on his parents for financial support and is currently living away
from home to study, they are both eligible for different rates of Youth Allowance. They are also eligible for the
Student Start-Up Scholarship while they are studying.
As Matthew is living away from home to study he is eligible for the Relocation Scholarship and may also be eligible
for Rent Assistance (depending on the type and cost of his accommodation).
Matthew will soon be reaching the age of independence (22 years old). Once this happens, Lucy will be the only
dependent child in her family and, because she lives at home and her parent’s income is too high, she will no
longer be eligible for student payments from the time Matthew turns 22.
As an independent student, once he turns 22, Matthew will be eligible for the maximum rate of Youth Allowance
(subject to personal earnings), the Student Start-Up Scholarship and, depending on the type and cost of his
accommodation, Rent Assistance. He will no longer be eligible for the Relocation Scholarship.
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CASE STUDIES
SIMON: INDEPENDENT, LIVING AWAY FROM HOME, UNDERTAKING AN
AUSTRALIAN APPRENTICESHIP
Simon is 22 years old and renting a house with two other friends in Adelaide while completing an
Australian Apprenticeship.
As Simon is independent, he is eligible for Youth Allowance, however the rate of Youth Allowance he is eligible for
depends on how much he is earning each fortnight as an apprentice. He may also be eligible for Rent Assistance to
help him pay his share of the rent.
If Simon receives Youth Allowance, he is also able to use the Income Bank to accumulate any unused part of his
fortnightly income under $400 over the duration of his apprenticeship, up to a maximum of $1,000. The Income
Bank can then be used to offset times when he earns more income at a later date.
Eligible for: Youth Allowance and Rent Assistance
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MORE INFO
WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?
VISIT
www.humanservices.gov.au
CALL
The Human Services Youth and Students Line on 132 490
(for Youth Allowance and Austudy) or 132 317 (for ABSTUDY)
TTY users telephone 1800 810 586 and request the phone number you wish to contact
Speak and listen users (speech-to-speech relay) telephone 1300 555 727 and request the phone
number you wish to contact
Internet relay users visit the National Relay Service Website at http://www.relayservice.com.au/
and enter the phone number you wish to contact.
info
info
WANT TO REFER YOUR STUDENT TO AN ONLINE SOURCE?
Send them to www.studyassist.gov.au/sites/StudyAssist/StudentIncomeSupport
where they can use the ‘Student Income Support Eligibility Information Tool’
that helps them understand what student Income support payments they
may be eligible for.
info
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