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Timeline of upcoming changes

1. 

    

   March

   Our temporary waiver for waiting periods ended on 31 March 2021. After this date, these waiting periods might apply to you again. This includes the:

   • newly arrived resident’s waiting period
   • seasonal work preclusion period.

   The temporary Coronavirus Supplement, at a rate of $150 per fortnight, ended on 31 March 2021.

2. 

    

   April

   Some student payments increased by $50 per fortnight from 1 April 2021.

   Independence through work criteria

   You may get Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY as an independent student if you earn $15,000 through agricultural work. You’ll need to earn this money doing approved agricultural work between 30 November 2020 and 31 December 2021.

   We know coronavirus (COVID-19) made work harder in 2020. We’re counting the 6 month period between 25 March 2020 and 24 September 2020 as part of your time spent working. You’ll automatically meet the independence through work criteria for this period, even if you weren’t working. This is for everyone who may be independent through work when claiming one of the following:

   • Youth Allowance as a student or Australian Apprentice
   • Youth Allowance as a job seeker
   • ABSTUDY Living Allowance.