Looking for Centrelink Youth Allowance, you are at the right place. Financial help if you’re 24 or younger and a student or Australian Apprentice, or 21 or younger and looking for work.
- 16 to 21 and looking for full time work
- 18 to 24 and studying full time
- 16 to 24 and doing a full time Australian Apprenticeship
- 16 to 17 and independent or needing to live away from home to study
- 16 to 17, studying full time and have completed year 12 or equivalent.
Youth Allowance for students and apprentices
If you’re 24 or younger and a student or Australian Apprentice studying full time, read how we can help.
Youth Allowance for job seekers
If you’re 21 or younger and looking for work, or temporarily unable to work, read how we can help.
How much you can get
We use income and assets tests to work out how much Youth Allowance for students and Australian Apprentices you get. These are the maximum rates.
We update rates on 20 March and 20 September each year.
Payment rates
The table is a guide only.
| Your circumstances | Your maximum fortnightly payment |
|---|---|
| Single, no children, younger than 18, and live at your parent’s home | $313.80 |
| Single, no children, younger than 18, living away from your parent’s home to study, train or look for work | $530.40 |
| Single, no children, 18 or older and live at your parent’s home | $367.00 |
| Single, no children, 18 or older and need to live away from your parent’s home | $530.40 |
| Single, with children | $679.00 |
| A couple, with no children | $530.40 |
| A couple, with children | $577.40 |
Personal and partner income and assets tests may affect how much you can get. If you’re dependent, the parental means test will also apply. If you’re younger than 18 and dependent, your parent or guardian will usually get the payment.
Long term income support
Special rates may apply if you’re 22 or older and get an income support payment. You need to have been getting the payment for at least 26 of the last 39 weeks. You also need to have been getting the payment before you started your course or Australian Apprenticeship. You must not have a dependent child. You must also meet one of the following conditions:
- you’re studying a course which will last at least 12 months
- you became an Australian Apprentice after turning 22.
Special rates may also apply if you’re all of the following:
- you’re 22 or older
- you don’t have a dependent child
- English is not your first language
- you’re studying an English language course.
| Your circumstances | Your maximum fortnightly payment |
|---|---|
| Single and live at your parents’ home | $438.50 |
| Single and need to live away from home | $633.30 |
| A couple, with no children | $577.40 |
Payment reviews
Sometimes we review your payment.
The amount you get may change if you or a family member’s circumstances change.
If you’re a dependant, we’ll ask for details of your parents’ taxable income in September or October each year.
If you’re a student, we’ll ask for details about your future study intentions. We’ll ask you 4 weeks before your course finishes. You can tell us using your Centrelink online account through myGov or the Express Plus mobile app.
Who can get it
Check if you’re eligible to get Youth Allowance as a student or an Australian Apprentice.
To get Youth Allowance as a student or an Australian Apprentice you must be one of the following:
- 18 to 24 and studying full time
- 16 to 24 and doing a full time Australian Apprenticeship
- 16 to 17 and independent or needing to live away from home to study
- 16 to 17, studying full time and have completed year 12 or equivalent.
You must also do all of the following:
- meet Australian residence rules
- satisfy income and assets tests
- be doing an approved course or full time Australian Apprenticeship.
You may stay on Youth Allowance after you turn 25 until you finish your course or apprenticeship.
You normally can’t get Youth Allowance if you’re studying full time in secondary school and under 18. You will only qualify for it if you meet one of the following criteria. You:
- are eligible for the away from home rate of Youth Allowance
- meet the independence criteria for Youth Allowance
- got Youth Allowance before starting a full time secondary course and transferred straight from Youth Allowance for job seekers to Youth Allowance for students.
You can use our Payment and Service Finder to help check if you’re eligible.
If you’re 21 or younger and looking for full time work, read more about Youth Allowance for job seekers.