Increase to Youth Allowance and Austudy
Around 440,000 Australian students and young people will receive an increase in their Youth Allowance and Austudy payments from 1 January 2003 Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, said today.
“The boost to the payments is in line with changes to the Consumer Price Index. Depending on the recipient’s family and living arrangements, Youth Allowance payments will be boosted by between $4.60 and $11.10 per fortnight. Austudy payments will increase by between $8.40 and $11.10 per fortnight.
“Single people aged 16 or 17 years who are living at home and eligible for Youth Allowance could receive up to $119.60 extra per year. Single people with no children living away from home could get up to $218.40 extra a year.
“A single person with dependent children who is eligible to receive either the maximum rate of Youth Allowance or Austudy could get up to $288.60 extra per year.
“Youth Disability Pension, Youth Disability Supplement and Mobility Allowance and the income and asset test thresholds for Youth Allowance and Austudy payments will also rise from 1 January 2003.
“By lifting payment rates and thresholds to keep pace with the costs of living, the Coalition Government is ensuring that students and young Australians will continue to maximise their potential through further education, training and preparation for employment.
“This increase to youth and students payments demonstrates this Government’s commitment to support young people and students,” Mr Anthony said
| Summary of Changes 1 Jan 2003 – 19 March 2003 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Situation | 20-Sep-2002 | 01-Jan-2003 | increase | ||
| Youth Allowance Rates | |||||
| Single, no children | |||||
| – Under 18, at home | $165.10 | $169.70 | $4.60 | pf | |
| – Under 18, away from home | $301.70 | $310.10 | $8.40 | pf | |
| – 18 and over, away from home | $301.70 | $310.10 | $8.40 | pf | |
| – 18 and over, at home | $198.60 | $204.20 | $5.60 | pf | |
| Single, with children | $395.30 | $406.40 | $11.10 | pf | |
| Partnered, no children | $301.70 | $310.10 | $8.40 | pf | |
| Partnered, with children | $331.30 | $340.60 | $9.30 | pf | |
| Special rate for long-term unemployed or migrant English students 21 years or over commencing full-time study: | |||||
| – Single, living at home | $243.90 | $250.70 | $6.80 | pf | |
| – Single, living away from home | $366.40 | $376.70 | $10.30 | pf | |
| – Partnered, no children | $331.30 | $340.60 | $9.30 | pf | |
| Austudy Payment Rates | |||||
| Single | $301.70 | $310.10 | $8.40 | pf | |
| Single, with children | $395.30 | $406.40 | $11.10 | pf | |
| Partnered, with children | $331.30 | $340.60 | $9.30 | pf | |
| Partnered, no children | $301.70 | $310.10 | $8.40 | pf | |
| Special rate for long-term unemployed commencing full-time study: | |||||
| – Single, living away from home | $366.40 | $376.70 | $10.30 | pf | |
| – Partnered, no children | $331.30 | $340.60 | $9.30 | pf | |
| Income Test for Austudy Payment | |||||
| Single | $689.86 | $701.86 | $12.00 | pf | |
| Single, with children | $823.57 | $839.43 | $15.86 | pf | |
| Partnered, with children | $732.14 | $745.43 | $13.29 | pf | |
| Partnered, no children | $689.86 | $701.86 | $12.00 | pf | |
| Special rate for long-term unemployed commencing full-time study: | |||||
| – Single, living away from home | $782.29 | $797.00 | $14.71 | pf | |
| – Partnered, no children | $732.14 | $745.43 | $13.29 | pf | |
| Personal Income Test for Youth Allowance | |||||
| Single, under 18, at home | |||||
| – students | $494.71 | $501.29 | $6.58 | pf | |
| – unemployed | $320.71 | $327.29 | $6.58 | pf | |
| Single, 18 and over, at home | |||||
| – students | $542.57 | $550.57 | $8.00 | pf | |
| – unemployed | $368.57 | $376.57 | $8.00 | pf | |
| Single or Partnered, away from home | |||||
| – students | $689.86 | $701.86 | $12.00 | pf | |
| – unemployed | $515.86 | $527.86 | $12.00 | pf | |
| Partnered, with dependents | |||||
| – students | $732.14 | $745.43 | $13.29 | pf | |
| – unemployed | $558.14 | $571.43 | $13.29 | pf | |
| Single, with dependents | |||||
| – students | $823.57 | $839.43 | $15.86 | pf | |
| – unemployed | $649.57 | $665.43 | $15.86 | pf | |
| Long-term unemployed 21 years or over commencing full-time study: | |||||
| – Single, living at home | $607.29 | $617.00 | $9.71 | pf | |
| – Single, living away from home | $782.29 | $797.00 | $14.71 | pf | |
| – Partnered, no children | $732.14 | $745.43 | $13.29 | pf | |
| Parental Income Test for Youth Allowance | |||||
| Reduced payment if parents’ income exceeds | $26,650.00 | $27,400.00 | $750.00 | ||
| Family Asset Test for Youth Allowance (Dependent) | |||||
| No payment will be made if family’s assets exceed | $464,500 | $477,500 | $13,000 | ||
| SFSS Category 2 Parental Income Free Area | |||||
| SFSS Category 2 Parental Income | $62,500 | $64,500 | $2,000 | ||
| Free Area | |||||
| Mobility Allowance Basic Rate | |||||
| Single or couple | $64.40 | $66.20 | $1.80 | pf | |