Independence test

If you apply for Youth Allowance, you will be assessed as either being dependent or independent.

You may be considered independent if:

you have worked full-time (at least 30 hours a week) for at least 18 months in the last 2 years, or
you have worked part-time (at least 15 hours a week) for at least 2 years since leaving school, or
you have been out of school for at least 18 months and have earned at least 75% of the maximum rate of pay under Wage Level A of the Australian Pay and Classification Scale in an 18-month period, or
you have a partial capacity to work as determined by a Job Capacity Assessment, or
you are or have been legally married, in a registered relationship or living in a de facto relationship with another person as a member of a couple for at least 12 months, or
you have, or have had a dependent child, or
you have parents who cannot exercise their responsibilities, or
you are unable to live at home due to extreme family breakdown, violence in the home, or serious threats to your health or well-being, or
you are a refugee without parents living in Australia or you are an orphan, or
you are in State care, or only stopped being in State care because of your age.

You are also considered independent if you are aged 25 or over and a full-time student.

To qualify as independent as a member of a couple, you must be over the age of consent in the State or Territory you live in for that time. 6 month relationships are accepted in special circumstances.

Note: These criteria may change as a result of the 2009/10 Budget measures. Refer to Budget 2009/10 - students for more information.