Listen to this page. This will open in a new window and will play an audio version of the main content on this page.

Payment rates for Youth Allowance

Youth Allowance payment rates are a guide only. An income and assets test will be used to work out how much you can get. If you are dependent, the parental-means test will apply. If you are a dependent student less than 18 years, your payments will usually be paid to a parent or guardian.

Your circumstances	Your maximum fortnightly payment
single, with no children, under 18 years, and living at parental home	$223.00
single, with no children, under 18 years, and required to live away from parental home to study undertake training or look for work	$407.50
single, with no children, 18 years or more, and living at parental home	$268.20
single, with no children, 18 years or more, and required to live away from parental home	$407.50
single, with children	$533.80
member of a couple, with no children	$407.50
member of a couple, with children	$447.40
Single job seeker principal carer granted an activity test exemption for either: a registered and active foster carer providing home schooling for your child/ren facilitating distance education for your child/ren caring for a large family (where the customer is the principal carer of four or more dependent children aged under 16, or a secondary pupil child 16 to 19 years old), or caring for a child when the customer is a relative (other than a parent), as directed by a Parenting Order made through the Family Court	$663.70

Special payment rates

The special rates below apply if you are more than 22 years old, commencing full-time study, and are:

a long-term income support recipient who is receiving or 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

Your circumstances	Your maximum fortnightly payment
single, and living at parental home	$329.20
single, and required to live away from parental home	$495.00
member of a couple, with no children	$447.40

Payment reviews

From time to time, your Youth Allowance payment is reviewed. 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 or with the Express Plus Students mobile app.