ABSTUDY parental income test

This income test is effective from 20 March 2012. A parental income test applies if you are not considered independent.

• If parent/s get an income support payment, ABSTUDY Living Allowance or CDEP wages, the parental income and assets tests do not apply, although the Family Actual Means Test may apply.
• If parent/s have a Health Care Card the parental income test does not apply but the Family Actual Means Test may apply.
• You can use Online Estimators to assist you in working out whether your child is eligible for student income support and, if so, what their payment amount is likely to be.

Income test

If your parent/s taxable income for the 2010-11 financial year is $46,355 or less, your payment will not be affected by the income test. The rate of payment payable is reduced by $1 for every $5 of income over $46,355.

If your parent/s have other dependent children, you will be placed in a family pool where your brother or sister’s circumstances may affect your rate of payment if your parent’s income exceeds $46,355.

As a result of the new family taper, if your brother or sister’s circumstances change you may also notice changes in your fortnightly payment rate.

Either the parental income test or the personal income test for the student (if applicable) will be applied, depending upon which one has the greatest effect on the payment.

In some circumstances (where parental income decreases or increases substantially) parental income in the current tax year is used.

More information

• ABSTUDY section