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We update these payment rates on 1 January each year.
Increase to payment rate from 20 September 2023
The payment rate for Youth Allowance for students and Australian Apprentices increased from 20 September 2023.
Base rate increase
Your payment rate increased by $40.
You don’t need to do anything. We’ve applied the increase automatically.
The increase is effective from 20 September 2023. This means you may get a partial increase in your first payment after this date, and the full increase after that.
Payment rates
The table is a guide only.
| Your situation | Your maximum fortnightly payment from 20 September 2023 |
|---|---|
| Single, no children, younger than 18, and live at your parent’s home |
$372.90 |
| Single, no children, younger than 18, living away from your parent’s home to study, train or look for work |
$602.80 |
| Single, no children, 18 or older and live at your parent’s home |
$429.40 |
| Single, no children, 18 or older and need to live away from your parent’s home |
$602.80 |
| Single, with children |
$760.40 |
| A couple, with no children |
$602.80 |
| A couple, with children |
$652.60 |
When you apply for a payment you and your partner need to provide income and assets details. This affects how much you can get. If you’re dependent, the parental means test applies. If your parents or guardians earn too much, you won’t be able to get a payment.
Use our Payment and Service Finder to find out how much you could get. It will be an estimate only and depends on you entering accurate information. You’ll need to enter your partner’s or your parents’ or guardians’ income along with other details. This includes your income details.
If you’re younger than 18 and dependent, your parent or guardian will usually get the payment.
Other rates
In some situations, you may be eligible for different rates.
| Your situation | Your maximum fortnightly payment |
|---|---|
| Single and live at your parent’s home |
$505.20 |
| Single and need to live away from home |
$711.90 |
| A couple, with no children |
$652.60 |
If you’re a student, you can only get the rates listed here if:
- you don’t have a dependent child
- you’re a full-time or concessional study load student and your course will last at least 12 months
- the course started after you turned 22.
If you’re an Australian Apprentice you can only get the rates listed here if you:
- don’t have a dependent child
- commenced your apprenticeship after turning 22.
These rates may apply to you if you meet 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.
These rates may also apply if you're 22 or older and have been getting at least one of these payments for 26 out of the last 39 weeks:
- JobSeeker Payment
- Youth Allowance for job seekers
- Parenting Payment Single
- Parenting Payment Partnered
- Disability Support Pension
- Carer Payment
- Special Benefit
- Bereavement Allowance.
Payment reviews
Sometimes we review your payment.
The amount you get may change if your or a family member’s circumstances change.
If you’re a dependant, we’ll ask for details of your parents’ or guardians’ 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.
If your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov, sign in now to tell us about your study details.
You can also do this using the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app.