Independence test for Youth Allowance
If you apply for Youth Allowance, you will be assessed as either dependant or independent.
You are 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 partial capacity to work as determined by a Job Capacity Assessment, or
- you are or have been previously married or living in a marriage-like relationship 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, orphan or someone who cannot live at home, 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 in a marriage-like relationship, you must be over the age of consent in the State or Territory you live in for that time. Six month relationships are accepted in special circumstances.
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