Youth Allowance provides income support for young Australians. There are two main categories: Youth Allowance (Student) for those in full-time study or training, and Youth Allowance (Job Seeker) for those looking for work. This guide covers 2026 rates and eligibility.
Current Youth Allowance Rates (2026)
Fortnightly rates depend on your living situation and whether you are single or partnered:
Youth Allowance for Students & Apprentices
| Situation | Maximum Fortnightly Rate |
|---|---|
| Single, under 18, living at home | $418.90 |
| Single, 18 or older, living away from home | $677.20 |
| Single, with dependent children | $854.20 |
Youth Allowance for Job Seekers
| Situation | Maximum Fortnightly Rate |
|---|---|
| Single, under 18, living at home | $418.90 |
| Single, 18 or older, living away from home | $677.20 |
| Single, with dependent children | $854.20 |
| Partnered (each) | Check current rates — indexed 20 March 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria
Age Requirements
- Students: 16–24 years old
- Job seekers: 16–21 years old (if 22+, claim JobSeeker Payment instead)
- Apprentices: any age, but must be a full-time Australian Apprentice
Study or Work Requirements
- Students: must be undertaking full-time study (or approved part-time with a disability) at an approved institution
- Australian Apprentices: must be in a full-time apprenticeship or traineeship
- Job seekers: must meet mutual obligation requirements
Parental Means Test
If you are under 22 and studying, your parents' income and assets are assessed through the Parental Means Test. This test considers:
- Combined parental income (taxable income, reportable fringe benefits, and total net investment losses)
- Parental assets (excluding the family home)
- The number of dependent children in the family
Note: You may be independent of your parents if you have worked at least 30 hours per week for 18 months (or equivalent), are a single parent, or are in an approved state care arrangement.
Personal Income Test
- You can earn up to $150 per fortnight (if 18+ and looking for work) before your payment reduces
- Student income bank: you can earn around $539 per fortnight before your payment is affected, and unused amounts accumulate for future use
- Payments reduce by 50 cents per dollar earned over the threshold
How to Claim Youth Allowance
- Log into myGov and link Centrelink
- Select "Make a claim" then "Youth Allowance"
- Complete the online questionnaire about your study, work, and living situation
- Provide supporting documents (proof of enrolment, identity, and if independent — proof of work hours)
- Submit the claim and track progress in your Centrelink online account
Relocation Scholarship
If you need to move away from home to study, you may also be eligible for a Relocation Scholarship of up to $5,463 per year to help with accommodation and travel costs.
This guide is updated for 2026. Check Services Australia website for latest rates.
← Back to Centrelink Guide Australia
2026 Rates Update
Youth Allowance rates were indexed on 20 March 2026. The verified figures from Services Australia are: $418.90 per fortnight for a single job seeker under 18 living at home, $677.20 per fortnight for a single student or apprentice aged 18 or older living away from home, and $854.20 per fortnight for a single person with dependent children. Rates differ between students and job seekers in some categories, and they are indexed again on 20 September — check the Services Australia website for the full current table before relying on a figure.
How the Parental Means Test Works
If you are under 22 and dependent on your parents, Youth Allowance is assessed against your parents' income as well as your own. The parental income test reduces your payment once combined parental income passes a threshold, with a family assets test as a secondary test. You can escape the parental test by meeting independence rules — for example, having supported yourself through paid work (around $29,751 earned over 18 months), being orphaned, or being unable to live at home for approved reasons.
Your own income is tested too: students can earn around $539 per fortnight before their payment reduces (unused amounts accumulate in an income bank), while job seekers have a $150 per fortnight free area with a 50 cent taper. Rent Assistance of up to around $184.80 per fortnight is available to those paying rent.
Action Plan: Claiming Youth Allowance for 2026
- Claim online through myGov before your course starts — claims are not backdated more than 7 days before lodgement for students.
- Nominate your parents' details if you are dependent — delayed paperwork is the most common cause of slow processing.
- Check the Relocation Scholarship if you had to move more than 90 minutes from home to study.
- Report income fortnightly on your reporting day to keep payments flowing.
- If you are 22–24 and have been working, ask about the expanded independence criteria introduced in 2026.