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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
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 are in a de-facto relationship for at least 6 months
- you’re 16 or over 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.
If you live with your parents or guardians and you’re 22, 23 or 24 you must be a member of a couple to get Rent Assistance.
If you live with your parents or guardians and you’re 25 or over you may get Rent Assistance.
When you don’t live with your parents
You may get Rent Assistance if you don’t live with your parents 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 DSP when you are younger than 21 years old and you don’t have a dependent child in your care, you must meet some special rules.
When you are 16 or 17 years old
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’ home due to a medical condition.
If you qualify 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 continue to qualify for Rent Assistance.
When you are 18, 19 or 20 years old
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 or
- you’re living in disability accommodation.
When you turn 21 years old, there are no special rules to get Rent Assistance. Read more about who can get it.
If you get JobSeeker Payment
To get Rent Assistance with JobSeeker Payment, you must meet some special rules.
When you live with your parents
If you live with your parents or guardians one of the following must apply:
- you’re 25 or older
- you’re a member of a couple.
When you don’t live with your parents
If you don’t live with your parents or guardians you may get Rent Assistance without meeting special rules.
Read more about JobSeeker Payment.
If you get Youth Allowance
To get Rent Assistance with Youth Allowance, you must meet some special rules.
When you live with your parents
If you live with your parents or guardians one of the following must apply:
- you care or have cared for a dependent child
- you are or were in a relationship that qualified you as independent for Youth Allowance.
When you don’t live with your parents
If you don’t live with your parents or guardians one of the following must apply:
- you’re independent on Youth Allowance as a Student
- you’re independent on Youth Allowance as a JobSeeker
- you’re eligible for the away from home rate of Youth Allowance.
You can get the away from home rate of Youth Allowance if you’re either:
- living away from home to study, do your Australian Apprenticeship or train
- living away from home to look for work.