Away from home (students and Australian Apprentices)
If you need to live away from your parents’ home to study or train, you may be eligible for the higher Away From Home rate of Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY Living Allowance.
Approval to live away from home for tertiary students
If you are a full-time tertiary student who needs to live away from home to study, you may be eligible for the higher rate if:
- it takes more than 90 minutes by public transport to travel from your parents’ home to your place of study
- there is a compulsory requirement to reside at your education institution while you study
- you are undertaking part of your Australian approved course at an overseas institution.
Approval to live away from home for secondary school students
If you are a secondary school student who needs to live away from home to study, you may be eligible for the higher rate if:
- it takes more than 90 minutes by public transport to travel from your parents’ home to your place of study
- your parents’ home is located in an isolated area (for example, it is at least 56 km away from an appropriate Government school, or is isolated because of impassable roads for 20 school days in a year)
- your parents’ home is a not an adequate place to study because your parents move frequently, or because of family conflict or illness
- you have a disability and your parents’ home is isolated from special facilities you may require
- your parents move out of the area (Year 11 and 12 students only)
- an equivalent activity is not available locally.
Note: Secondary level students cannot bypass local schools out of choice. If your local area provides reasonable access to an appropriate Government school, you will not be eligible for the Away from Home Rate if you choose to attend another school outside your local area.
Approval to live away from home for independent students
If you are a full-time independent student living away from your parents’ home to study or train, you will be eligible for the higher rate regardless of your reason.
If you are a full-time independent student living in your parents’ home while you study or train, you may be eligible for the lower 'at home' rate, unless:
- you are or have been a member of a couple, or
- you have had a dependent child.
Approval to live away from home for Australian Apprentices
If you are an Australian Apprentice, you may be eligible for the higher rate if you need to live away from your parents’ home to undertake the Australian Apprenticeship.
Further assistance for full-time students and Australian Apprentices living away from home
If you are paying rent, you may also be eligible for Rent Assistance.
If you are a full-time student living away from home you may also be eligible for:
More information
- read the Moving out? factsheet
- refer to the Studying or training section
- phone Centrelink on 13 2490
- visit a Centrelink Customer Service Centre