The Australian Government has increased the Living Away from Home Allowance to $754.60 per fortnight for eligible students. This is part of the Youth Allowance program. It’s targeted for Australian students and apprentices who live away from home to pursue higher studies or secondary education.
Major Highlights
- The Living Away from Home Allowance through Centrelink has increased to a maximum of $754.60 per fortnight for eligible students.
- This $42.70 raise from the previous rate of $711.90 aims to better support Aussie students living independently for their studies.
- The allowance is part of the Youth Allowance program and helps cover essential living costs like rent and utilities.
- Eligibility criteria include full-time study, independence from parents, and meeting residency requirements.
What’s the Living Away from Home Allowance Centrelink
The Living Away from Home Allowance (LAFHA) is a key financial support for Australian students. It helps those who need to move to get their education or training. To get it, students must be 16-24 and studying full-time or in an approved program.
Eligibility Requirements
To get the LAFHA, you need to meet a few important criteria. These include:
- Australian residency status
- Meeting income and assets tests
- Demonstrating the need to live away from home to access your education or training
Approved Study and Training Programs
The LAFHA supports many study and training programs. These include:
- Secondary education
- Tertiary courses (e.g., university, TAFE)
- Australian Apprenticeships
Residency Status Criteria
To get the LAFHA, you must be an Australian resident. This includes citizens, permanent residents, and some temporary visa holders. The exact requirements can change, so it’s best to check with Centrelink.
The independent living allowances, austudy payments, and relocation support benefits from the LAFHA are very helpful. They help Australian students get the education and training they need to do well.
Maximum Payment Rates for Student Assistance in 2024
In January 2024, the Australian government set a new maximum rate for single students aged 18 or older. They must live away from home to get $639.00 every fortnight. For those under 18, the rate is $395.30 if they live at home. But, it’s $639.00 if they live away. Single parents can get up to $806.00 per fortnight.
There are special rates for long-term unemployed or migrant English students aged 22 or older. Single students can get up to $754.60 per fortnight. These tertiary education subsidies and accommodation supplements help students, including those from remote area benefits, with living costs while studying.
| Student Category | Maximum Fortnightly Rate |
|---|---|
| Single students aged 18+ living away from home | $639.00 |
| Single students under 18 living at home | $395.30 |
| Single students under 18 living away from home | $639.00 |
| Single parents | $806.00 |
| Long-term unemployed or migrant English students aged 22+ | $754.60 |
These rates aim to give essential financial help to Australian students. They ensure students can focus on their studies and get the education they deserve.
“The government’s commitment to supporting tertiary education and student living expenses is commendable. These subsidies and supplements can make a significant difference in the lives of young Australians pursuing their academic goals.”
Special Rates and Additional Benefits for Eligible Students
Australian students facing financial challenges in higher education can get help. They can access special payments and benefits to support their studies. These funds are a big help for Aussie students to succeed in their studies.
Student Start-Up Loan Options
Eligible students can get a Student Start-Up Loan. It gives $1,273 per semester for things like textbooks and study equipment. This loan is interest-free and helps with the initial costs of education.
Relocation Scholarship Benefits
Students who move for their studies get a big help from the Relocation Scholarship. City students get $5,385 in the first year and $1,345 each year after. Students in the country get even more, up to $2,693 each year after the first.
Merit and Equity Based Scholarships
Students can also get scholarships based on merit and equity. These scholarships can give up to $9,724 a year. They don’t affect Centrelink youth allowance or other student help.
With these special rates and benefits, Australian students can handle their student assistance payments better. They can then focus more on their studies and success.
Income Testing and Payment Reductions
Aussie students getting the Living Away from Home Allowance Centrelink or Austudy face income testing. This means the government checks their money situation. They make sure payments go to those who really need them.
The Austudy payment lets students earn up to $509 a fortnight without losing money. If they make more, they lose 50 cents for every dollar between $509 and $610. Then, it’s 60 cents for every dollar over $610. This can make payments zero if they earn about $1,602.50 a fortnight.
Other programs like Youth Allowance also have income tests. Payments can be from $455.20 to $806 a fortnight, depending on the student’s situation. ABSTUDY, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, also has payments based on age, study, and living situation.
| Payment Scheme | Income Thresholds | Payment Reduction Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Austudy | $509 – $610 per fortnight Over $610 per fortnight | 50 cents per dollar 60 cents per dollar |
| Youth Allowance | $455.20 – $806 per fortnight | Varies based on individual circumstances |
| ABSTUDY | Varies based on age, study type, dependence status, and living situation | Varies based on individual circumstances |
Aussie students need to know about income testing to get the most from living away from home allowance centrelink, austudy payments, and other student assistance payments. Planning their finances well can help them benefit more.
Living Away from Home Criteria and Documentation
Australian students can get financial help to live on their own while studying. The Living Away from Home Allowance Centrelink program offers support. To get this allowance, students need to show they live away from home and provide the right documents.
Proof of Independence Requirements
Students applying for the Living Away from Home Allowance must prove they live independently. They can do this with rental agreements, utility bills, or statutory declarations. The goal is to show they are responsible for their own living costs, not their family’s.
Accommodation Evidence Guidelines
Students also need to show where they live. This can be through rental or lease agreements, utility bills, or receipts for boarding. The aim is to prove their living situation meets their study needs and is far enough from their family home.
Distance Requirements from Family Home
- Students usually need to live more than 90 minutes away from their family home by public transport to qualify for the ‘away from home’ rate of the Living Away from Home Allowance.
- This rule ensures students live independently for their studies, not just for convenience.
- In some cases, students might get the allowance even if they live within 90 minutes, if their course isn’t local or if there are other reasons.
By providing the right documents and meeting the criteria, Australian students can get the independent living allowances, relocation support benefits, and tertiary education subsidies they need. This helps them pursue their studies from afar.
Payment Rates Based on Family Situation
The Centrelink youth allowance and other student assistance payments in Australia are tailored to various family situations. These rates are set to support students financially. They consider the student’s age, living arrangements, and parental or partner status.
For single students under 18, the payment rate changes based on where they live. Those at home get $395.30 fortnightly. Those living independently away from home receive $639.00.
Students aged 18 to 21 get more. They get $455.20 per fortnight if living at home. If living away, they get $639.00.
| Student Situation | Fortnightly Payment Rate |
|---|---|
| Single, under 18, living at home | $395.30 |
| Single, under 18, living away from home | $639.00 |
| Single, 18-21, living at home | $455.20 |
| Single, 18-21, living away from home | $639.00 |
| Partnered, without children | $639.00 each |
| Partnered, with children | $691.80 each |
These rates for the centrelink youth allowance and other student assistance payments help Australian students. They ensure students get the financial aid they need, based on their family situation.
Parental Income Test Thresholds and Effects
For dependent students, the parental income test is key to getting living away from home allowance and Austudy payments. As of January 2024, the income limit is $62,634 a year. If parents earn more, the student’s payment goes down by 20 cents for every extra dollar.
Income Free Area Guidelines
Students can earn up to $509 a fortnight without affecting their payments. This lets them work part-time and keep their Austudy payments.
Reduced Payment Calculations
| Parental Income Threshold | Payment Reduction Rate |
|---|---|
| $62,634 per annum | 20 cents per dollar over the limit |
Here’s how it works: for every dollar over $62,634, the student’s payments drop by 20 cents. This helps make sure support goes to those who really need it.
“The parental income test is a critical factor in determining the level of financial support available to dependent students, ensuring that those from lower-income families receive the assistance they need to pursue their education away from home.”
Student Income Bank and Working While Studying
The Australian government’s centrelink youth allowance program has a special feature called the Student Income Bank. It lets students earn up to $12,700 a year without losing their regular payments. Any extra money not used in a fortnight goes into the Income Bank, up to a certain limit.
This system helps financial aid for students to work part-time while studying. It doesn’t cut into their independent living allowances from Centrelink right away. Students can use the money in the Income Bank when they earn less or spend more.
| Payment Type | Fortnightly Rate | Annual Limit |
|---|---|---|
| “At Home” or “Accommodated” Rate | $455.20 | $12,700 |
| “Away From Home” Rate | $639.00 | $12,700 |
The Student Income Bank is a financial safety net for students. It helps them balance work, study, and living costs. By using this program, students can save money and get work experience without losing their Centrelink payments.
“The Student Income Bank has been a game-changer for me. It’s allowed me to work part-time without worrying about my Centrelink payments being affected. The extra savings have really helped me manage the costs of living independently while I focus on my studies.”
Additional Support for Regional and Remote Students
Aussie students in regional and remote areas get extra help for tertiary education costs. The Living Away from Home Allowance from Centrelink gives $754.60 to those who qualify. The Tertiary Access Payment offers a one-time $5,000 to support students.
The Rural & Regional Enterprise Scholarships can give up to $18,000, plus $500 for an internship. The Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Scholarship and Youthrive Victoria University Scholarships & Helen Macpherson Smith Rural Scholarship give $5,000 and $10,000 each year to these students.
The Relocation Scholarship offers more money for students from these areas, starting at $4,626 in the first year. It then drops to $1,156 per year after that. The Fares Allowance also helps with travel costs for students getting Youth Allowance.
Community scholarships, ABSTUDY for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and scholarships from institutions also help. With a 10% increase in students from these areas, these benefits aim to make tertiary education more accessible.
| Scholarship/Allowance | Annual Value | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Living Away from Home Allowance | $754.60 | Centrelink recipients |
| Tertiary Access Payment | $5,000 (one-time) | Higher education students |
| Rural & Regional Enterprise Scholarships | Up to $18,000 + $500 for internship | Regional and remote students |
| Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Scholarship | $5,000 | Regional and remote students |
| Youthrive Victoria University Scholarships & Helen Macpherson Smith Rural Scholarship | $10,000 | Rural or regional Victorian students |
| Relocation Scholarship | $4,626 (1st year), $2,314 (2nd/3rd years), $1,156 (thereafter) | Students from regional and remote areas |
“These targeted benefits aim to improve access to tertiary education for students from regional and remote areas.”
Application Process and Required Documentation
To get the living away from home allowance Centrelink, students need to first make a myGov account. They must then submit documents like proof of identity and course enrolment. They also need to show their income and why they have to live away from home.
Students can apply up to 13 weeks before their course starts. The time it takes to process student assistance payments and Austudy payments varies. But, most get their benefits within 14 days after approval.
It’s important to fill out the application form correctly. Any mistakes could lead to overpayments. These might need to be paid back.
Applicants should check with the local Department of Transport and Main Roads Regional Office. They need to make sure the distances in their application are correct. This is because road conditions or bus routes can change.
The Living Away from Home Allowance Scheme (LAFHAS) Review Panel can also help. They look at special cases that don’t meet the usual rules.
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FAQ
The Australian Government offers a Living Away from Home Allowance through Centrelink for eligible students. The maximum payment rate for single students aged 18 or over, living away from home, is $754.60 per fortnight as of January 2024. This allowance is part of the Youth Allowance program and aims to support students who need to live away from home to pursue their studies.
To qualify for the Living Away from Home Allowance, students must be aged 16-24 and enrolled in full-time study or an approved training program. Eligibility criteria include Australian residency status and meeting income and assets tests. Approved programs include secondary education, tertiary courses, and Australian Apprenticeships. Students must also demonstrate that they need to live away from home to access their education or training.
As of January 2024, the maximum basic rate for single students aged 18 or over, living away from home, is $639.00 per fortnight. For those under 18, the rate is $395.30 if living at home, and $639.00 if living away from home. Single parents receive up to $806.00 per fortnight. Special rates apply for long-term unemployed or migrant English students aged 22 or over, with single students receiving up to $754.60 per fortnight.
Eligible students can access additional support through the Student Start-Up Loan of $1,273 per semester. The Relocation Scholarship offers $5,385 for the first year of study, with subsequent payments of $1,345 for metropolitan students and $2,693 for regional/remote students. Merit and Equity Based Scholarships up to $9,724 per year are also available without affecting Youth Allowance payments.
Income testing affects payment rates. For Youth Allowance recipients, earnings up to $509 per fortnight are allowed before payments reduce. Income between $509 and $610 reduces payments by 50 cents per dollar, and income over $610 reduces payments by 60 cents per dollar. For most single students without children, payments reduce to zero at a fortnightly income of approximately $1,602.50.
Students must provide evidence of their need to live away from home, such as distance from educational institution, travel time, or course unavailability in their local area. Proof of independence may include rental agreements, utility bills, or statutory declarations. Generally, students must live more than 90 minutes by public transport from their institution to qualify for the away from home rate.
Payment rates vary based on family situation. Single students under 18 living at home receive $395.30 per fortnight, while those living away from home get $639.00. For students aged 18-21, the at-home rate is $455.20, and away from home is $639.00. Partnered students without children receive $639.00 each, while those with children get $691.80 each per fortnight.
The parental income test applies to dependent students. As of January 2024, the parental income threshold is $62,634 per annum. Income above this threshold reduces the student’s payment by 20 cents for every dollar over the limit. The income free area for personal earnings is $509 per fortnight before payments start to reduce.
The Student Income Bank allows students to earn up to $12,700 per year without affecting their payments. Any unused portion of the fortnightly $509 income free area accumulates in the Income Bank, up to the maximum balance. This system encourages part-time work while studying without immediately impacting allowance payments.
Regional and remote students may be eligible for additional support. The Relocation Scholarship offers higher payments for these students, with $2,693 per year after the first year, compared to $1,345 for metropolitan students. The Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme provides additional support for students who cannot attend an appropriate state school daily due to geographical isolation.
