Work out your Youth Allowance as a student or Australian Apprentice after the personal income test, including Energy Supplement.
Key facts
- Youth Allowance for students and apprentices pays up to $677.20 a fortnight living away from home and $482.40 for someone 18 or older at home (rates from 1 January 2026), plus Energy Supplement.
- You can earn $539.00 a fortnight before tax without your payment reducing.
- Between $539.00 and $646.00 it reduces by 50 cents for each dollar, and by 60 cents for each dollar above $646.00.
- Payment stops at about $1,697.17 a fortnight living away from home, or $1,368.50 at home (18 or older).
- Fortnights where you earn less than the free area build credits in your Income Bank, which you use first when you earn more.
Rates, Energy Supplement and cut-offs
| Your situation | Maximum rate | Energy Supplement | Payment stops at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single, younger than 18, living at a parent's home | $418.90 | $3.90 | $1,261.50 |
| Single, younger than 18, living away from a parent's home | $677.20 | $7.00 | $1,697.17 |
| Single, 18 or older, living at a parent's home | $482.40 | $4.60 | $1,368.50 |
| Single, 18 or older, living away from a parent's home | $677.20 | $7.00 | $1,697.17 |
| Single, with children | $854.20 | $9.20 | $1,995.84 |
| Member of a couple, no children | $677.20 | $7.00 | $1,697.17 |
| Member of a couple, with children | $733.20 | $7.70 | $1,791.67 |
A fortnight, before tax. Cut-offs are Services Australia's published income levels at which the payment reaches $0.
Youth Allowance by fortnightly income
| Income a fortnight | Under 18, at home | 18+, at home | 18+, away from home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $422.80 | $487.00 | $684.20 |
| $539.00 | $422.80 | $487.00 | $684.20 |
| $600.00 | $392.30 | $456.50 | $653.70 |
| $646.00 | $369.30 | $433.50 | $630.70 |
| $800.00 | $276.90 | $341.10 | $538.30 |
| $1,000.00 | $156.90 | $221.10 | $418.30 |
| $1,200.00 | $36.90 | $101.10 | $298.30 |
Not included: Income Bank credits, the parental means test, the partner income test, the assets test, Rent Assistance and the higher rates after long-term income support.
Common questions
How much can I earn on Youth Allowance as a student?
$539.00 a fortnight before your payment reduces. It stops completely at about $1,697.17 a fortnight if you live away from home, $1,368.50 at home if you're 18 or older, and $1,261.50 at home if you're under 18.
How much is Youth Allowance a fortnight?
Up to $677.20 living away from home, $482.40 at home aged 18 or older and $418.90 at home under 18, plus Energy Supplement of $7.00, $4.60 or $3.90.
Do my parents' earnings affect Youth Allowance?
If you're dependent, yes: the parental means test can reduce or stop your payment. This calculator assumes it doesn't reduce yours (for example, you're independent).
What is the Income Bank?
When you earn less than $539.00 in a fortnight, the unused amount is saved as credits. In fortnights when you earn more, the credits are used first, so your payment doesn't reduce until they run out. This calculator doesn't include Income Bank credits.
See also Youth Allowance and Austudy rates, the Rent Assistance calculator and the JobSeeker calculator.
Sources: Services Australia how much you can get, personal income test and parental income test; Social Security Guide 5.1.10.20, Energy Supplement. Checked 22 October 2026. An estimate, not a Centrelink assessment.