You are independent for
If you're 22 or older, we'll treat you as permanently independent. If you're younger than 22, you may be permanently independent or your independence may be reviewable. Permanent independence means you'll always be independent. Reviewable independence means if your circumstances change, you might be dependent again.
When you become 22 years old you are automatically considered as 'independent' for Independent Youth Allowance purposes. If you are 25 years of age, and starting a new course, you can apply for Austudy.
If you're 21 or younger, you're dependent unless you meet 1 of the conditions that make you independent. This means your parents' or guardians' income may affect if you get a payment and how much you get.
To get this payment, you must be 16 to 21 and one of the following: looking for full time work. studying part time and looking for work.
We look at the income of your parents or guardians you normally live with, or last lived with. This includes step parents if you normally live with them. We assess your parents' or guardians' income even if you don't live with them now.
The Work Bonus income bank is useful for pensioners who wish to work, particularly those who undertake intermittent or occasional work. Note: from 1 December 2022 to 31 December 2023, a one-off, temporary credit of $4,000 applies to Work Bonus income bank balances.
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.
If your parents or guardians don't update their income details by the due date, we may stop or suspend your payment.
You must have worked an average of 30 hours a week for at least 18 months within any 2 year period. You may be independent through work for Youth Allowance if you're a student from a rural or remote area. You may be independent for Youth Allowance if you worked full time.
You may be considered independent if you have supported yourself through full-time paid employment for at least 18 months within any two year period. You do not need to work for 18 consecutive months, or work in the same job.
The Tertiary Access Payment is a payment of $3,000 or $5,000. How much you can get depends on where your family home is located. Complete the following steps to claim the Tertiary Access Payment from us.
You can get the loan up to 2 times a year, once each loan period. Loans are tax free and you don't need to declare them to us as income for your regular student payment. You have to pay back the loan once you start earning a certain amount of income.
The Cost of Living Payment is a $250 one-off payment to help with the cost of living. The Cost of Living Payment is not taxable, and you don't need to report it as income. You'll get it if you were residing in Australia on 29 March 2022, and: you were able to claim, or were getting an eligible payment.
Youth allowance is not paid back. Students have to repay the start-up loan through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) when income exceeds the minimum repayment threshold, as you would with the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) debts.
If you're unemployed, or you're not in full time work, you may get Youth Allowance as a job seeker. This can include if you're doing part time or casual work. If you get Youth Allowance and you earn income over a certain amount, it will affect how much you get. Read more about personal income test.
Effect on your payment
If you are an eligible student or Australian Apprentice, we start to reduce your payment if your personal income is over $480 a fortnight. Personal income is your gross income. This is the income you get before any deductions, like tax.
The Government announced on 1 February 2022 that an aged care workforce bonus of up to $800 will be paid to eligible aged care staff in Government subsidised home care and residential care.
have a Pensioner Concession Card, (including those issued by the Department of Veterans' Affairs) (DVA) have a Health Care Card (including Low Income Health Care Card) have a DVA Gold Card. have a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (including those issued by DVA)
The Carer Supplement is an annual payment of $600 which is attached to each Carer Allowance. The Supplement is paid in July each year.
Home Loans when you are receiving Centrelink benefits
If you are receiving Centrelink payments, you can apply for a home loan, whether it is to refinance or purchase a home. However, in some cases you will need to have another main source of income from employment.
Can you get a home loan on Centrelink benefits? If you receive Centrelink benefits, some lenders will consider these payments as part of your income when assessing a home loan application, but approval is not guaranteed.