About the Youth Allowance calculator
Youth Allowance is for full-time students and Australian Apprentices aged 16 to 24, and for job seekers aged 16 to 21. The amount depends on your age, whether you live at home, your own income and, if you’re treated as dependent, your parents’ income.
Student rates were last updated on 1 January 2026, and the income free area for students is higher than for job seekers.
| Single, under 18, at home, a fortnight | $418.90 |
|---|---|
| Single, 18 or older, at home, a fortnight | $482.40 |
| Single, away from home, a fortnight | $677.20 |
| Student income free area, a fortnight | $539 |
| Job seeker income free area, a fortnight | $150 |
| Parents’ income free area, a year | $66,722 |
Common questions
How much is Youth Allowance?
It depends on your situation. For a single student living away from home it’s $677.20 a fortnight, and for a single student under 18 living at home it’s $418.90.
How much can a student earn on Youth Allowance?
Students and apprentices can earn $539 a fortnight before the payment reduces. Between $539 and $646 it reduces by 50 cents for each $1, and above that by 60 cents.
Do my parents’ incomes count?
If you’re treated as dependent, yes. Your payment reduces by 20 cents for each $1 of your parents’ combined income over $66,722 a year (more is allowed for each extra dependent child).
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Rates last checked 5 November 2026. Payment rates from 20 September 2026; limits from 1 July 2026.