Young Australians planning to attend university or TAFE next year are encouraged to explore their eligibility for Centrelink payments. A variety of financial support options are accessible for those finishing high school, and applying early can lead to quicker financial assistance.
Services Australia has emphasized the importance of applying for Youth Allowance “as early as possible” for school leavers intending to pursue further education or start an apprenticeship. There is a common misconception that applicants must wait for their ATAR results or course offers before claiming, but this is not true.
Currently, the maximum Youth Allowance for a single person over 18 living with their parents is $455.20 per fortnight. This amount is set to increase to $472.50 on January 1 due to routine indexation.
Hank Jongen, general manager at Services Australia, stated, “There is a significant incentive for Year 12 students transitioning directly to university or TAFE next year to submit their claims before Christmas. Claiming early may result in receiving financial support during the summer break, prior to the start of their courses or training.”
Every year, over 70,000 students successfully claim Youth Allowance ahead of Semester 1, so there’s no reason to delay.
Additional Centrelink Support for School Leavers
In addition to Youth Allowance, various financial support options are available for young Australians completing high school. Here’s an overview of the payments and loans they might consider:
- Youth Allowance: Provides financial assistance for students or apprentices aged 24 or younger, or jobseekers who are 21 or younger and seeking work or temporarily unable to work.
- ABSTUDY: Offers financial support specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students or apprentices.
- Relocation Scholarship: A one-time payment for those receiving Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY who need to relocate to or from a regional or remote area for their studies.
- Tertiary Access Payment: A one-off payment of up to $5,000 for those moving from a regional or remote area after completing Year 12, without needing to be eligible for Youth Allowance.
- Student Start-up Loan: A voluntary loan of $1,273 available twice a year for higher education students, which must be repaid once income exceeds a certain threshold.
Services Australia recommends that young Australians establish their own myGov accounts for easy access to tax returns, Medicare services, and government support payments. It’s also advisable to obtain a personal Medicare card if planning to move away from home and to update bank details to ensure the receipt of any rebates.
To determine eligibility for various payments and the amounts that could be received, individuals can utilize Centrelink’s Payment Finder tool.