Independent and dependent customers living together 102-03030050

ABSTUDY and YA customers can be considered either independent or dependent subject to their circumstances. Independence status determines whether the customer is subject to the Parental Means Test. It can also affect the rate of payment, and eligibility for payment of Rent Assistance (RA).

For the purposes of YA, a person is considered to be a member of a YA couple where the person is currently:

• legally married, or
• in a registered relationship, or
• in a de facto relationship for a continuous period of 12 months

Note: the partners to the relationship must be over the age of consent (applicable to the relevant state or territory) and must not have been living separately or apart on a permanent or indefinite basis.

The Resources page contains a link to the Australian Institute of Family Studies, for age of consent laws in each State and Territory.

For the purposes of ABSTUDY, a person is considered to be a member of an ABSTUDY couple where the person is currently:

• legally married or married under Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander law, or
• in a registered relationship, or
• in a de facto relationship of at least 6 months’ duration

Note: the partners to the relationship must be over the age of consent applicable to the relevant state or territory and must not have been living separately or apart on a permanent or indefinite basis.

When an independent and dependent customer live together as a member of a couple, the income test that applies to each member of the couple and the customer's status (that is, dependent or independent) can vary depending on the nature and length of the relationship.

An independent YA or ABSTUDY couple living in the home of 1 of their parents and paying rent, board and/or lodgings to them, may be eligible to receive RA.