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Customer no longer an Australian Apprentice 102-07030210



This document outlines what happens when a customer advises they are no longer an Australian Apprentice.

Australian Apprentices

A customer is considered to be an Australian Apprentice if:

  • they are employed under a training contract as an Australian Apprentice
  • their training contract is submitted to the relevant state or territory training authority

Customer under 22 years of age

If the customer is currently receiving Youth Allowance (YA) or ABSTUDY and is under 22 years of age, they may continue to qualify for payment if they change their activity from full-time Australian Apprentice to job search (YA only) or full-time study (YA and ABSTUDY). No claim is required. This is considered a change in circumstances only.

Customers aged 22 years and over

A self service option is available for customers Customers aged 22 years and over who are receiving YA, ABSTUDY or Austudy as a full-time Australian Apprentice who are no longer an apprentice, may continue to qualify if they change their activity from full-time Australian Apprentice to full-time study. No claim is required; this is considered a change in circumstances only.

Customers aged 22 years and over who are no longer an apprentice or undertaking full-time study can make a claim for another suitable payment, such as JobSeeker Payment (JSP) using online services.

Australian Apprentices changing employers

Customers who expect to change from one apprentice employer to another within 28 days may continue to be paid their income support payment or ABSTUDY if their Commonwealth Registration Number remains current during this period.

If it has been more than 28 days since the customer's employment ceased, and they have not commenced with another apprentice employer, they no longer meet the definition of an Australian Apprentice. An apprentice must be employed under a training contract as a full-time apprentice.

For Youth Allowance customers, see Youth Allowance (YA) qualifications for students and Australian Apprentices

For Austudy customers, see Eligibility for Austudy

For ABSTUDY customers, see Existing customer starts an Australian Apprenticeship

Commonwealth Registration Number

Customers considered to be an Australian Apprentice will have a current Commonwealth Registration Number managed by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR). If a customer stops working for their apprentice employer before they have completed their apprenticeship, their Commonwealth Registration Number:

  • may remain current for a period of time
  • does not always indicate a customer is currently undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship

Working Credits

Unused working credits or an Australian Apprentice Income Bank balance can be transferred to the customer's Student Income Bank or working credit balance, up to a maximum of 1,000 credits.

Personal Income Test and Income Bank for ABSTUDY, Austudy and Youth Allowance (YA) students and Australian Apprentices

Working Credit

Student to job seeker transfers

Contact in relation to an intended claim (CLK)

Identifying the most beneficial payment for students or Australian Apprentices

Claiming ABSTUDY

Claiming JobSeeker Payment (JSP)

Claiming Youth Allowance (YA) (job seeker)