Youth Allowance Australia — Rates, Eligibility and Income Test
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Contents
Youth Allowance is an income support payment for young Australians aged 16–24 who are studying full-time, undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship, or actively looking for work. It is one of the main study support payments alongside Austudy (for students 25 and over).
Key Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Age range | 16–24 (or 16–21 for job seekers) |
| Rate (single, at home, FY2025–26) | ~$376/fortnight |
| Rate (single, away from home) | ~$593/fortnight |
| Rate (single, independent) | ~$693/fortnight |
| Subject to | Income test, parental income test (if dependent) |
| Job seeker age | 16–21 (22+ receive JobSeeker) |
| Student age | 16–24 |
Who Is Youth Allowance For?
Youth Allowance covers two main groups:
1. Full-time students and Australian Apprentices (aged 16–24)
- Studying at a secondary or tertiary institution
- Completing a Commonwealth-supported or full-fee course
- Undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship (apprenticeship or traineeship)
2. Job seekers (aged 16–21)
- Looking for work and meeting mutual obligation requirements
- Young people aged 22+ who are looking for work receive JobSeeker Payment instead
Youth Allowance Rates (FY2025–26)
Your rate depends on whether you are classified as dependent (on parents) or independent, and whether you live at home or away.
| Situation | Fortnightly rate (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Dependent — living at parents’ home | ~$376 |
| Dependent — away from parents’ home | ~$593 |
| Independent | ~$693 |
| Partnered | ~$625 |
| With dependent children | Higher rates apply |
Rates are indexed in January each year. Verify at servicesaustralia.gov.au.
Independent vs Dependent
Whether you are classified as independent significantly affects your rate. You are considered independent if you meet at least one of:
- Aged 22 or over (if a student)
- Married or in a registered relationship
- Have a dependent child
- Have worked independently for at least 18 months (meeting an hours and earnings threshold)
- Have been an orphan, or in state care for extended periods
- Are a refugee or former refugee
- Have met specific self-support work tests prior to study
Most school leavers starting university are classified as dependent on their parents until they meet one of these criteria.
Parental Income Test (for Dependent Students)
If you are a dependent student, your parents’ income affects your Youth Allowance entitlement.
| Combined parental income (approx.) | Effect |
|---|---|
| Under ~$60,900 | Full Youth Allowance (subject to your own income test) |
| ~$60,900 – ~$150,000+ | Reduces by $0.20 per dollar above threshold |
| Above cut-off | No Youth Allowance for dependent child |
Sibling deductions: If you have siblings also receiving Youth Allowance or Austudy, the parental income threshold increases, allowing more income before the cut-off applies.
Youth Allowance Income Test (Your Own Income)
Your own fortnightly income also affects your payment:
| Your fortnightly income | Effect on Youth Allowance |
|---|---|
| Under ~$437 (student) | No reduction (income bank buffer may apply) |
| Above ~$437 | Reduces by $0.50 per dollar |
The Student Income Bank: Students can accumulate up to $12,000 of unused income free area in a “bank” across the year, allowing them to earn more in some fortnights (e.g., summer holidays) without losing Youth Allowance in other fortnights.
Mutual Obligation — Job Seekers
Young job seekers on Youth Allowance must meet mutual obligation requirements, which include:
- Applying for a certain number of jobs per month
- Attending appointments with their Workforce Australia provider
- Completing any approved activities
- Reporting earnings fortnightly
How to Apply
- Log in to myGov → Centrelink → Apply for payment → Youth Allowance
- Provide details about your study enrolment (or job search status)
- If dependent, provide parental income details (your parents will need to confirm income)
- Centrelink will assess your rate and pay you fortnightly
FAQ
Can I receive Youth Allowance and work at the same time? Yes. The student income bank allows you to earn up to ~$437/fortnight without affecting your payment, with accumulated savings from low-earning fortnights available to offset high-earning fortnights.
Do my parents need to provide their income details? Yes — if you are classified as a dependent student, your parents need to confirm their income to Centrelink. If they refuse, your Youth Allowance may not be processed.
Can I receive Youth Allowance if I am studying part-time? Generally no — Youth Allowance requires full-time study (at least 75% of the normal full-time load). Part-time students may be eligible for JobSeeker or Austudy in some circumstances.
See also: Austudy Guide | JobSeeker Payment | Centrelink Payments Guide