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The student personal income test: $539 a fortnight free, 50 cents in the dollar to $646, then $53.50 plus 60 cents in the dollar. Enter your gross fortnightly wages and see what you keep of Austudy or Youth Allowance, using the rates from 1 January 2026.
Austudy and Youth Allowance for students and Australian Apprentices share one personal income test. It is applied to your gross income — before tax, not including child support — when you claim and each fortnight you report.
| Your income per fortnight | Your payment reduces by |
|---|---|
| Up to $539 | Nothing — and you build Income Bank credits |
| $539 to $646 | 50 cents for each dollar over $539 |
| Over $646 | $53.50 plus 60 cents for each dollar over $646 |
Searches still quote a $509 free area — that was the figure before the 1 January 2026 indexation. It is $539 now.
| Situation | Maximum per fortnight | Payment reaches $0 at |
|---|---|---|
| Single, no children | $677.20 | $1,697.17 |
| Single, with children | $854.20 | $1,995.84 |
| Partnered, no children | $677.20 | $1,697.17 |
| Partnered, with children | $733.20 | $1,791.67 |
| Single, no children — long-term income support rate | $799.70 | $1,904.00 |
| Partnered, no children — long-term income support rate | $733.20 | $1,791.67 |
| Situation | Maximum per fortnight | Payment reaches $0 at |
|---|---|---|
| Single, under 18, living at parents' home | $418.90 | $1,261.50 |
| Single, under 18, living away from home | $677.20 | $1,697.17 |
| Single, 18 or older, living at parents' home | $482.40 | $1,368.50 |
| Single or partnered, no children, living away from home | $677.20 | $1,697.17 |
| Single, with children | $854.20 | $1,995.84 |
| Partnered, with children | $733.20 | $1,791.67 |
| Long-term rate, living at home | $567.50 | $1,512.17 |
| Long-term rate, living away from home | $799.70 | $1,904.00 |
Rates are indexed on 1 January. The long-term rate applies after 26 of the last 39 weeks on a non-student income support payment, with no dependent child, starting study or an apprenticeship after turning 22 (21 for Austudy).
| Fortnightly wages | Reduction | Austudy | Wages + Austudy |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | -$0.00 | $677.20 | $677.20 |
| $300 | -$0.00 | $677.20 | $977.20 |
| $539 | -$0.00 | $677.20 | $1,216.20 |
| $600 | -$30.50 | $646.70 | $1,246.70 |
| $646 | -$53.50 | $623.70 | $1,269.70 |
| $700 | -$85.90 | $591.30 | $1,291.30 |
| $800 | -$145.90 | $531.30 | $1,331.30 |
| $900 | -$205.90 | $471.30 | $1,371.30 |
| $1,000 | -$265.90 | $411.30 | $1,411.30 |
| $1,200 | -$385.90 | $291.30 | $1,491.30 |
| $1,400 | -$505.90 | $171.30 | $1,571.30 |
| $1,600 | -$625.90 | $51.30 | $1,651.30 |
| $1,700 | -$685.90 | $0.00 | $1,700.00 |
In fortnights when you earn under $539, the unused free area goes into your Income Bank. When a later fortnight is higher — exam-break shifts, a summer job — Services Australia draws on those credits before applying the taper, so the reduction above may not happen straight away. Once the Income Bank is empty the table applies in full. If income holds your payment at $0 for 12 fortnights in a row, the payment is cancelled and you must reapply.
$539 a fortnight, before tax. Between $539 and $646 the payment reduces by 50 cents per dollar; over $646 it is $53.50 plus 60 cents for each dollar. Income Bank credits, built up in fortnights you earn under $539, are used first.
50 cents in the dollar from $539 to $646 a fortnight, then 60 cents in the dollar above $646. Youth Allowance for students and Australian Apprentices uses the same bands.
Single with no children on the $677 rate: the reduction is $145.90 ($53.50 on the first band plus 60 cents on the $154 over $646), leaving $531.30 of Austudy plus your wages.
$1,697 a fortnight for a single or partnered student with no children, $1,792 for a member of a couple with children and $1,996 for a single with children. The long-term income support rate cuts off at $1,904 single.
From 1 January 2026: Austudy $677 single or partnered with no children, $854 single with children, $733 partnered with children. Youth Allowance (students) ranges from $419 for a single under 18 living at home to $677 living away from home and $854 single with children. Rates are indexed on 1 January.
If the income test reduces your payment to $0 for 12 fortnights in a row, the payment is cancelled and you have to reapply if your income later drops.
Yes, for students and apprentices 16 or older. Both are taxable Centrelink payments and count with your wages in your tax return; the tax-free threshold usually covers most or all of it, but check with the take-home pay calculator if you also work.
Last verified: 28 August 2026. Our content is based on the latest information from official Australian government sources.
Senior Tax & Payroll Analyst
CPA, Registered Tax Agent (25787011)
James is a CPA-qualified tax professional with over 14 years of experience in Australian taxation and payroll systems. He spent six years at the Australian Taxation Office working on PAYG withholding and individual tax return processing before moving into financial publishing. He now leads the tax content at Pay Calculator Australia, translating complex ATO legislation into clear, actionable guidance.
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