Austudy is payable to people aged 25 and over who are studying or training full-time. It was introduced on 1 July 1998.
A person must be 25 years or over; satisfy the residency requirements and be undertaking qualifying study. Austudy cannot be paid to a person who:
- has completed a course for a Master's degree or Doctorate (or overseas equivalent)
- is employed full-time as an apprentice or trainee.
However, contingent upon the passage of legislation, from 1 July 2005, Austudy will be extended to New Apprentices on low incomes. Further information will be available on this website from June 2005.
The income test has a $236 per fortnight income free area. Income between $236 and $316 per fortnight reduces fortnightly payment by 50 cents in the dollar, and income above $316 per fortnight reduces fortnightly payment by 70 cents in the dollar. A partner income test also applies.
A personal asset test applies to Austudy.
The student income bank recognises that students often earn income over the vacation periods rather than steadily throughout the year. Students can accumulate any unused part of their income free area of $236 per fortnight, up to a maximum of $6,000 and 'withdraw' from the income bank when earnings are above the income free area.
Recipients can get between $250 to $500 of their entitlement advanced each 12 months. The advance is recovered from fortnightly payments over the following six months.
Austudy recipients receive Pharmaceutical Allowance if eligible and Remote Area Allowance. Fares Allowance is also available to tertiary students on Austudy who need to live away from their permanent home for study reasons.
Austudy recipients do not automatically qualify for a Health Care Card (HCC), however most recipients will qualify for a HCC under the Low Income Card Scheme. Students are able to claim Austudy and the HCC on the one form.