If you know someone who’s just completed Year 12, they might be wondering what comes next. Whether they’re planning to study, looking for work or taking time out due to sickness or injury, there’s a range of government payments and loans designed to support school leavers as they take their next steps. If they have left school earlier, they may be able to claim a payment if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Youth Allowance for students and apprentices
Youth Allowance for students and apprentices offers financial help for people that are 24 years old or younger who are either studying full-time or undertaking a full-time Australian Apprenticeship. Depending on personal circumstances, students who are single, 18 years or older and living at home could receive a maximum amount of $472.50 a fortnight.
Youth Allowance for job seekers
Youth Allowance for job seekers supports people that are 21 years old or younger and looking for work, or temporarily unable to work. Job seekers who are single, 18 years or older and living at home could receive a maximum amount of $472.50 a fortnight.
ABSTUDY
ABSTUDY consists of a range of different payments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students or apprentices, depending on personal circumstances. ABSTUDY can help with school fees, boarding fees, living costs, travel costs and buying school materials.
Relocation Scholarship
The Relocation Scholarship is a once-a-year payment for students who receive either ABSTUDY or Youth Allowance and need to move to or from a regional or remote area to study higher education. The amount received depends on where the student’s family home is located, where their course is, and what year of study they are in. For example, if the family home is in a regional or remote area, students can get up to $5,590 in the first year they need to live away from home.
Tertiary Access Payment
The Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) is a one-off payment of up to $5,000 for students who have completed Year 12 or equivalent and are moving from a regional or remote area to study full-time (Certificate IV and above). Students don’t need to be eligible for Youth Allowance to get the payment.
Recent changes to the eligibility criteria mean that students aged 22 or younger who move from a regional or remote area for study after taking a break following Year 12 may be able to receive the payment if they meet all eligibility requirements.
Students can still claim TAP if they get ABSTUDY, Youth Allowance or the Relocation Scholarship in their first year of study.
Student Start-up Loan
The Student Start-up Loan payment is a voluntary loan that eligible higher education students can receive up to twice a year. Each instalment is $1,321 and the loan needs to be paid back once students start earning a certain amount of income.
Visit the Services Australia website to find out more about the payments and loans.