Parental means test
The parental means test is used to work out if parents can financially help their dependent children, whether they are a student, Australian Apprentice or a job seeker.
There are 3 parts to the parental means test:
- Family Assets Test
- Parental Income Test
- Family Actual Means Test
The Family Assets Test takes into account personal, business and farm assets. A 75% discount is applied to business and farm assets. No payment can be made if your family's assets exceed $619 500.
The Parental Income Test includes combined parental taxable income, child support, any fringe benefits received from employers, income from outside Australia and net passive business losses.
The Family Actual Means Test may apply if your parents or guardians are self-employed, have income or assets outside Australia, have claimed a business loss, have interests in a trust or company, or are business migrants.
Reporting changes to sibling circumstances
The new Parental Income Test takes into account the number and circumstances of any other dependent children in your family who receive Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY. If your brother’s or sister’s circumstances change you may also notice changes in your fortnightly payment rate.
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More information
Youth Allowance
Conditions
- Eligibility
- Income and assets
- Independence
- Parental means test
- Study loads
- Residence requirements
- Change of circumstances
- If you leave Australia
- Approval to live away from home