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Special rules apply to get Rent Assistance with an eligible payment if you’re 25 or younger.
If you get ABSTUDY Living Allowance
To get Rent Assistance with ABSTUDY Living Allowance, you must meet some special rules.
You must not be studying at a master or doctorate level.
When you live with your parents or guardians
When you’re younger than 22
You may get Rent Assistance if you live with your parents or guardians, you’re younger than 22 and you’re independent for one of these reasons:
- you have or had a dependent child
- you are or were married or in a registered relationship
- you and your partner are above the age of consent within your state or territory and have been in a de-facto relationship for at least 6 months
- you’re 16 or over and living in an Aboriginal community after a non-Aboriginal family adopted or fostered you for more than 2 years
- you currently have the care or custody of another person’s dependent child, dependent student or Australian Apprentice.
When you’re 22 to 24 years old
You may get Rent Assistance when you’re 22, 23 or 24 if you’re both:
- living with your parents or guardians
- a member of a couple.
When you’re 25 or older
You may get Rent Assistance if you’re 25 or older and you live with your parents or guardians.
Find out more about Rent Assistance for young people living with or without their parents.
When you don’t live with your parents or guardians
You may get Rent Assistance if you don’t live with your parents or guardians and you’re independent or eligible for the away from home rate of ABSTUDY Living Allowance.
If you get Disability Support Pension
To get Rent Assistance with Disability Support Pension (DSP) when you’re younger than 21 and you don’t have a dependent child in your care, you must meet some special rules.
When you’re 16 or 17 years old
To get Rent Assistance when you’re 16 or 17 years old, one of the following must apply:
- you’re independent
- you’re a member of a couple
- you’re living in disability accommodation
- you’re living away from your parents’ or guardians’ home because of a medical condition.
If you’re eligible for Rent Assistance as an independent when you’re younger than 18, you’ll need to contact us when you turn 18 to make sure you’re still eligible for Rent Assistance.
When you’re 18 to 20 years old
To get Rent Assistance when you’re 18, 19 or 20 years old, one of the following must apply:
- you’re a member of a couple
- you’re living away from your parents or guardians permanently
- you’re living in disability accommodation.
When you’re 21 years old
There are no special rules to get Rent Assistance with DSP once you turn 21 years old. You must meet the general eligibility requirements to keep getting it. Find out more about who can get it.
If you get JobSeeker Payment
To get Rent Assistance with JobSeeker Payment when you live with your parents or guardians, you must be either:
- 25 or older
- a member of a couple.
If you get JobSeeker Payment and don’t live with your parents or guardians, you must meet the general eligibility requirements to get Rent Assistance. Find out more about who can get it.
If you get Youth Allowance
To get Rent Assistance with Youth Allowance as a student, apprentice or job seeker, you must meet some special rules.
When you live with your parents or guardians
To get Rent Assistance with Youth Allowance if you live with your parents or guardians, you must either:
- care for or have cared for a dependent child
- be or have been in a relationship that qualified you as independent for Youth Allowance.
When you don’t live with your parents or guardians
To get Rent Assistance with Youth Allowance if you don’t live with your parents or guardians, you must be one of the following:
- independent on Youth Allowance as a student or apprentice
- independent on Youth Allowance as a job seeker
- eligible for the away from home rate of Youth Allowance as a student or apprentice or as a job seeker.