Payment rates

Payment amounts

The Youth Allowance payment rates for 1 January 2012 listed below are a guide only.

Income and assets tests will be used to work out how much you can get.

If you are not independent, the parental means test will also usually apply.

If you are	The maximum fortnightly payment is
single with no children, under 18 years and living at home	$220.40
single with no children, under 18 years and required to live away from home	$402.70*
single with no children, 18 years and over and living at home	$265.00
single with no children, 18 years and over and required to live away from home	$402.70*
single with children	$527.50*
partnered with no children	$402.70*
partnered with children	$442.10*
single job seeker, principal carer of a dependent child (granted an exemption for foster caring/relative (non-parent) caring under a court order/home schooling/distance education/large family)	$641.50

* You may qualify for Rent Assistance.

If you receive Youth Allowance you may qualify for other benefits.

If you are under 18 years of age and not considered independent your payments will usually be paid to a parent or guardian.

The special rates below apply if you are over 21 years, commencing full-time study and you are:

a long-term income support recipient who is receiving/has received an income support payment (other than a student payment) for at least 26 out of the last 39 weeks, or
a migrant student who does not speak English as a first language and is undertaking an approved course in English.

If you are	The maximum fortnightly payment is
single and living at home	$325.30
single and required to live away from home	$489.10
partnered with no children	$442.10

From time to time, your Youth Allowance payment is reviewed. If you are getting Youth Allowance, the amount you receive may be adjusted because your circumstances or a family member's circumstances change. This may include a change in your income, moving house or separating from your partner.
If you are a dependant and receiving Youth Allowance, we will request details of your parents' taxable income in September each year.
If you are a student, we will request information about your future study intentions 4 weeks before your course is due to finish. You can provide this information online.