Chapter 119 Partner Income

Income tests apply for Living Allowance, Rent Assistance, and the `at home' rate of School Fees Allowance. Partner income tests are applied to independent students claims where applicable.

This chapter describes the income tests which are applied for ABSTUDY assistance.
 

Chapter content

This chapter contains the following topics:

How does partner income affect ABSTUDY?

Partner income test period

Students subject to partner income testing

119.1 How does partner income affect ABSTUDY?

A student's partner can have income up to the disqualifying income limits of Youth Allowance if

• the student is under 21 years, or
• Newstart if the student is 21 years and over,

without it affecting the student's ABSTUDY Living Allowance.

Partner income which exceeds cut-out point reduces fortnightly allowance by 70 cents in the dollar. ²

119.2 Partner income test period

A relevant period is generally the income test period when a partnered student is eligible to receive ABSTUDY assistance.

119.2.1 Periods the partner income test does not apply

The partner's income test is not applied for any period in a year when students:

• do not have a partner, or
• are divorced or separated from their partner.

Note: Where the student and her/his partner are `separated but living under the same roof' for Family Law purposes, the partner's income is taken into account.

119.3 Students subject to partner income testing

Independent students are subject to income testing on the income of their partner if relevant.

119.3.1 Students over 21 years

Students 21 years and over are aligned with Newstart rates. Students under 21 years

Students below the age of 21 years are aligned to Youth Allowance rates.

119.3.2 Student under 16 yrs

When an independent student under 16 years old has a partner, the partner is subject to the partner income test.