Most useful information

1. Income and assets tests
2. What the parental means test is

Maintenance income test for Youth Allowance students and Australian Apprentices

Maintenance income your parents or guardians get may affect your payment.

1. How much you can get
2. Income and assets tests

Partner Income Test for Youth Allowance students and Australian Apprentices

If you’re independent and you have a partner, we assess their gross income too. This is the income they get before any deductions, like tax.

1. How much you can get
2. Income and assets tests

What the parental means test is for Youth Allowance students and Australian Apprentices

We assess your parents’ or guardians’ income when you claim Youth Allowance as a dependent student or Australian Apprentice.

1. Dependent or independent
2. Reviewable independence

Independent for Youth Allowance if you’re an orphan

If you’re an orphan, you may be independent for Youth Allowance.

1. Dependent or independent
2. Reviewable independence

Independent for Youth Allowance if you’re a refugee

If you’re a refugee and your parents don’t live in Australia, you may be independent for Youth Allowance.

1. Dependent or independent
2. Reviewable independence

Independent for Youth Allowance if you’re in state care

You may be independent for Youth Allowance if you are in state care. This includes foster care.

1. Dependent or independent
2. Reviewable independence

Independent for Youth Allowance if your parents can’t take care of you

If your parents can’t take care of you, you may be independent.

1. Who can get it
2. Dependent or independent

Reviewable independence for Youth Allowance for students and Australian apprentices

We might consider you as independent under the reviewable criteria.

1. Dependent or independent
2. Permanent independence

Independent for Youth Allowance if you have, or have had, a dependent child

You may be independent for Youth Allowance if you have, or had, a dependent child.

1. Dependent or independent
2. Permanent independence

Independent for Youth Allowance if you’re in a de facto relationship

You may be independent for Youth Allowance if you’ve been in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months or 6 months in special circumstances.