Partner Income Test for ABSTUDY customers under 22 years old, Austudy and Youth Allowance students and Australian Apprentices 010-08010020
Expand allThis document outlines how the Partner Income Test applies to students and Australian Apprentices claiming or receiving ABSTUDY under 22 years old, Austudy and Youth Allowance where their partner is not receiving a social security pension.
Income Test
ABSTUDY, Austudy and Youth Allowance (YA) students and Australian Apprentices are subject to a Personal Income Test on any ordinary income they receive. Depending on their circumstances, they may also be subject to a Partner Income Test and Parental Income Test.
Income Bank
Students/Australian Apprentices can access a Student Income Bank or the Australian Apprentice Income Bank. This enables them to build up credits while they are not being paid ordinary income, for use when they do get paid ordinary income.
Note: the Income Bank only applies to the customer's personal income. Partner income is not reduced by the Income Bank balance.
There are separate rules for Partner Income Test for ABSTUDY customers 22 years and over.
Unfavourable decisions
When making an unfavourable decision, speak to the customer:
- explain the decision
- give them a chance to provide more information, and
- advise their review and appeal rights
The Resources page contains examples of applying the Partner Income Test and calculating the Partner Income Free Area (PIFA).
Related links
Partner Income Test for ABSTUDY customers 22 years and over
Under 16 years ABSTUDY customers and the personal income test
Applying the Parental Income Test (PIT) for ABSTUDY and Youth Allowance (YA)
Assessment of income and assets
Independent and dependent customers living together
Independence for ABSTUDY customers
Independence for Youth Allowance (YA) customers
Income Test for pension customers with partners on allowance
Initial contact about a decision and the review of decision process