How part time study affects your student payment

Published: 21 September 2026

If you want to claim Youth Allowance or Austudy as a tertiary student, you usually need to study full time.

We consider you a full time student if you study 75% of your course’s full time study load.

Sometimes your study load may change during the year and you may need to drop below 75%.

Tell us within 14 days if your study load changes so we can adjust your payment if we need to.

Going part time doesn’t always mean your payment will be cancelled. Getting us the right supporting evidence can mean your payment will continue. For example, if you are sick or injured.

Read more about study loads.

Page last updated: 21 September 2026.
QC 84536