Payments
Means tests
If you get an ABSTUDY Living Allowance or Rent Assistance, means tests may be used to work out how much you get paid.
Depending on your circumstances, you may have to meet the following means tests. These tests are effective from 1 January 2012.
On this page
Personal income test
- applies to students aged 16 years and over
- applies to independent Australian Apprentices aged under 16 years
- your gross income is assessed
- students have an income free area of $236 per fortnight
- income above the income free area reduces your payment (unless your income bank is in credit)
- refer to personal income test
Income bank
- lets you keep some income you earn over your fortnightly income free area
- students can accumulate up to $6,000 a year
- Australian Apprentices can accumulate up to $1,000 a year
Parental income test
- applies to dependent students and Australian Apprentices aged 16 years and over
- applies to approved boarders aged under 16 years
- refer to ABSTUDY parental income test
Note: Parental means tests do not apply if you are a student in State care.
Family assets test
- applies to dependent students and Australian Apprentices aged 16 years and over
- applies to approved boarders aged under 16 years
- test is same as Youth Allowance family assets test
Family actual means test
- applies to dependent students and Australian Apprentices aged 16 years and over
- applies to approved boarders aged under 16 years
- refer to family actual means test
Independent students - assets test
- applies to independent students and Australian Apprentices
- hardship provisions may apply to the personal assets test
- refer to assets test for homeowners - if you own or are buying your own home
- refer to assets test for non-homeowners - if you rent or board
Independent students - partner income test
- applies to independent students and Australian Apprentices who have a partner
- for students aged under 21 years - test is same as for Youth Allowance
- for students aged 21 years and over - test is same as for Newstart Allowance with
50 cents in the dollar abatement of your partner's income over the income free area and adjustments for your dependent children
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