If you need to live away from your parents’ home to study or train, you may be eligible for the higher Away From Home rate of Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY Living Allowance.

Tertiary Students

If you are a full-time tertiary student who needs to live away from home to study, you may be eligible for the higher rate if:

• it takes more than 90 minutes by public transport to travel from your parents’ home to your place of study
• there is a compulsory requirement to reside at your education institution while you study
• you are undertaking part of your Australian approved course at an overseas institution.

Independent Students

If you are a full-time independent student living away from your parents’ home to study or train, you will be eligible for the higher rate regardless of your reason.

If you are a full-time independent student living in your parents’ home while you study or train, you may be eligible for the lower 'at home' rate, unless:

• you are or have been a member of a couple, or
• you have had a dependent child.

Australian Apprentices

If you are an Australian Apprentice, you may be eligible for the higher rate if you need to live away from your parents’ home to undertake the Australian Apprenticeship.

More Information

For more information, visit the Away From Home section of Centrelink, read Centrelink's Moving Out factsheet or call Centrelink on 13 24 90.