Assessing independence for full-time or concessional study load students from regional and remote areas under the self-supporting through employment criterion 010-06050010

Item

Example

1

Self-supporting - 15 hours per week for at least 2 years since leaving secondary school

Vincent left school in 2013 and gained casual employment in the retail food industry. Vincent has worked on a permanent part-time basis at a minimum of 18 hours a week every week until January 2016, when ceasing work to go overseas for a 12 month holiday. Whilst employed, Vincent had access to 4 weeks annual leave where the usual wage is based on employment of 18 hours per week. In January 2017, Vincent returned from overseas and decided to return to full-time study.

Vincent's parental income for the relevant tax year is $80,000.Vincent is required to live away from home to study. Vincent's parental home is located in an Inner Regional area.

Vincent meets the self-supporting provision on the grounds of having worked for at least 15 hours per week for at least 2 years since leaving secondary school.

2

Self-supporting - earned more than 75% of Wage Level A of the National Training Wage schedule included in a modern award in a 14 month period since leaving school

Mary submitted a claim for Youth Allowance (YA) in February 2018 when she commenced her new Bachelor course. Mary left secondary school in November 2016 and commenced employment in December 2016.

The amount of employment to be assessed will be during the 14 month period to the end of January 2018. In this 14 month period, Mary worked for 13 months, from December 2016 to the end of December 2017. Mary earned $25,857 during this period. 75% of the National Training Wage schedule at the commencement of the employment period was $24,042.

Mary's parental income is $134,000. Mary is required to live away from home to study. Mary's parental home is located in an Outer Regional area.

Mary meets the self-supporting provision on the grounds of having earned more than 75% of the National Training Wage schedule (Wage Level A) in a 14 month period since leaving school.

See the References page for a link to the National Training Wage schedule.

3

Income from self-employment

Julie has owned and operated a business for the last 2 years. For the current financial year, Julie declared a total gross income of $20,000, with allowable business expenses of $15,000, leaving a taxable income of $5,000.

Julie can be assessed on either:

• the hours per week worked in the business, or
• 75% of Wage Level A of the National Training Wage schedule included in a modern award

If Julie wishes to meet self-supporting using 75% of Wage Level A of the National Training Wage schedule included in a modern award, only the taxable income amount (that is, $5,000) could be used for the assessment.

Item

Example

1

YTD income within 14 month period

Karla left secondary school on 17 November 2022 and advised their 14 month claiming period is from 1 July 2023 - 1 September 2024.

Karla has supplied 3 payslips:

• Pay date - 3 April 2023 - YTD $8,125
• Pay date - 19 June 2023 - YTD $15,000
• Pay date - 5 September 2024 - YTD $10,625

The first payslip for pay date 3 April 2023 is not needed, because the second payslip for pay date 19 June 2023 has a later YTD figure for that financial year.

As both pay dates 19 June 2023 and 5 September 2024 fall within the 14 month claiming period, use the YTD figures for both payslips to calculate independence.

$15,000 + $10,625 = $25,625

2

YTD income outside of 14 month claiming period

Liam left secondary school on 17 November 2023.

Liam has provided multiple payslips showing YTD figures, some of which include income earned while still at school.

Kikis Dog Grooming (Employer 1)

• Pay date 6 December 2023 - YTD $3,450
• Pay date 17 January 2024 - YTD $4,800
• Pay date 31 January 2024 - YTD $5,190
• Pay date 22 January 2025 - YTD $3,780

Big W (Employer 2)

• Pay date 19 February 2024 - YTD $439.92
• Pay date 24 June 2024 - YTD $9,232.04
• Pay date 6 January 2025 - YTD $17,979.53

When looking at YTD figures from multiple payslips, always use the YTD figure from the latest payslip in that financial year.

In this case, the payslips with pay date 6 December 2023 and 17 January 2024 (from Employer 1) and 19 February 2024 (from Employer 2) are not used because the correct YTD figures from later payslips can be used.

Note: as the customer has provided a payslip with a pay date just after they finished school, income earned in the financial year within the claiming period can be determined, without needing to request further payslips. This is determined by deducting the YTD amount from the latest payslip in that financial year.

For example, $5,190 - $3,450 = $1,740

3

YTD income and payslips

Layla left secondary school 20 November 2023.

Layla has supplied 2 payslips showing YTD figures, one of which includes income earned while still at school.

• Pay date 28 June 2024 - YTD $21,598
• Pay date 17 January 2025 - YTD $11,652

As the YTD figure in the payslip for pay date 28 June 2024 includes income earned when Layla was in secondary school and falls outside of the 14 month claiming period, it cannot be used as evidence.

The payslip with pay date 17 January 2025 can be used, however, to assess independence correctly, payslips for the period 21 November 2023 - 30 June 2024 will need to be requested.

Item

Scenario

1

Start date of independence for current YA customers

Shelby's claim for Youth Allowance (YA) is granted in February 2025. On 2 May 2025, Shelby lodges evidence to be assessed as independent under the self-supporting criteria. On 12 May 2025, a Service Officer assesses Shelby's independence documents and determines that Shelby met the independent criteria from 20 March 2025.

The Service Officer codes the Start Date for independence as 20 March 2025 as this is the event date Shelby qualifies for independence. As the date Shelby lodged evidence was within 13 weeks of the independence event date, any arrears are payable from 20 March 2025.

If Shelby lodged evidence more than 13 weeks after the event date of qualifying for independence, any arrears are only payable from the date evidence was provided.

2

Start date of independence for a YA new claim

Shelby lodges an online claim for YA on 15 February 2025. Shelby lodges supporting documentation to meet independence under the self-supporting criteria. A Service Officer assesses Shelby's new claim on the 20 March 2025.

The Service Officer codes Shelby's YA start date and independence start date from the date they qualified on 15 February 2025.

3

Start date of independence for current ABSTUDY customers

Kaylene's claim for ABSTUDY is granted in February 2025. On 17 June 2025, Kaylene lodges evidence to be assessed as independent under the self-supporting criteria. On 2 July 2025, a Service Officer assesses Kaylene's independence documents and determines that Kaylene met the independent criteria from 1 March 2025.

As there is no closing date to provide additional information for ABSTUDY, the Service Officer codes the Start Date for independence as 1 March 2025, as this is the event date Kaylene qualifies for independence.

4

Start date of independence for an ABSTUDY new claim

Miranda lodges an online claim for ABSTUDY on 19 March 2025. Miranda also lodges supporting documentation to meet independence under the self-supporting criteria. The documentation shows that Miranda met the independence criteria from 15 November 2024.

A Service Officer assesses Miranda's new claim on 3 April 2025. The Service Officer determines that Miranda's ABSTUDY start date is 1 January 2025, and codes both the ABSTUDY start date and independence start date from the date they qualified on 1 January 2025.