FINANCING YOUR STUDY

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE

Most eligible domestic students who get some form of government income support are on either Youth Allowance or AUSTUDY. Which one you are eligible for depends on your age and circumstances and the eligibility of the course you choose.

YOUTH ALLOWANCE

You may get Youth Allowance if you are:

• aged 16-24 and studying or undertaking a New Apprenticeship full time (or aged 15 if considered independent), or
• aged 16-20 and looking for work full time (or aged 15 if considered independent), undertaking a combination of approved activities like Work for the Dole or volunteering, or have a temporary exemption from the Activity Test (for example, due to illness), or aged 25 and over and studying or undertaking a New Apprenticeship full time, if you were getting Youth Allowance immediately before turning 25 and are still doing the same course or New Apprenticeship. (Other full time students aged 25 and over can apply for Austudy), and meet residence requirements.

If you are under 18, and have not completed Year 12, you are usually required to be in full time education, undertaking a New Apprenticeship or training to qualify for Youth Allowance, although some exemptions apply. If you are not studying or undertaking a full time traineeship and you are getting Youth Allowance, you must show Centrelink you are actively looking for work by meeting the Activity Test.

For more information, visit: Centre Link's website

AUSTUDY

You qualify for Austudy payment if you are:
over 25 years
doing an approved full-time course at an approved institution or undertaking a full-time New Apprenticeship, and
meet residence requirements.
You are considered independent so there is no Parental Means Test, but you must meet a personal (and partner) income and assets tests.
For more information, visit: Centre Link's website