Youth Allowance — eligibility, tests and how to claim

Who it is for

full-time students and apprentices aged 18–24 (16–17 in some cases), and job seekers aged 16–21.

Main eligibility factors

• Age and activity: student/apprentice 18–24, or job seeker 16–21.
• Under 18 students generally need to be independent or need to live away from home to study.
• Full-time study load in an approved course.
• Residence rules.

Income and assets tests

• Parental means test (income, assets, family actual means) unless independent.
• Your own income test, with an income bank for students.
• Partner income test if partnered.

Documents and information to prepare

• Course enrolment details.
• Parents' tax details (they may need to provide them).
• Evidence for independence claims (work history, relationship, living situation).

How to claim

1. Sign in to myGov and link your Centrelink online account (create one if needed).
2. Check you meet the rules on the official Youth Allowance page.
3. Start the claim online, answer every question and upload requested documents.
4. Respond to any request for more information by the date given — late replies can lead to rejection.
5. Track the claim status in your Centrelink online account or the Express Plus app.

Reporting and changes to check

• Tell Services Australia within the required time (usually 14 days) about changes to income, assets, relationship, address, rent or study load.
• If your payment requires fortnightly reporting, report even when you earned nothing — missed reports can pause payments.
• Keep payslips and statements; you may be asked to prove what you reported.

Common problems and next steps

• Parental income too high — check whether you qualify as independent.
• Study load drops below full-time — tell Services Australia straight away.

Related pages

• Parental income test
• Youth Allowance for students
• Eligibility questionnaire