Permanent independence for ABSTUDY
If you’re 22 or older we’ll treat you as permanently independent. We may also do this in certain circumstances.
You may be permanently independent if you are:
- 22 or older
- independent through work
- 15 or older and an orphan
- 15 or older and have special adult status in a traditional community.
This also applies if you:
- have or had a dependent child
- have spent a total of 6 months or more in lawful custody
- are, or were, married under Australian law or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian lore
- are, or were in, a registered relationship.
Page last updated: 3 September 2020
This information was printed 1 March 2021 from https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/topics/permanent-independence-abstudy/52721. It may not include all of the relevant information on this topic. Please consider any relevant site notices at https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/site-notices when using this material.