Youth Allowance Calculator
Estimate your Youth Allowance — income support for students, apprentices and young job seekers — from your situation and income.
Youth Allowance Calculator
Estimate your Youth Allowance from your situation, activity type and fortnightly income (January 2026 rates).
• Rates are estimates for January 2026. Youth Allowance is for Australians aged 16–24 (students/apprentices) or 16–21 (job seekers).
• Estimates only — eligibility and rates depend on study, income, assets and parental means. Confirm with Services Australia.
Who Qualifies for Youth Allowance?
Youth Allowance supports full-time students and Australian Apprentices aged 16–24 and young job seekers aged 16–21. You must meet the income, assets and (for dependent students) parental means tests and be an Australian resident.
How Much Do You Get?
Rates depend on whether you live at home and your age. For example, an 18+ single student living away from home can get around $677 per fortnight (January 2026 estimate). Single parents and partnered recipients with children receive more.
Income Test
Students and apprentices can earn up to $539 per fortnight before the payment reduces; job seekers have a lower free area. The calculator applies the standard free area and taper to estimate your payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Youth Allowance in 2026?
From about $418 per fortnight for under-18s living at home to $677 for those living away from home, with higher rates for single parents and partnered recipients with children.
What is the age limit for Youth Allowance?
Students and apprentices can be aged 16–24; job seekers must be aged 16–21. Older students and job seekers move to Austudy or JobSeeker Payment.
How much can I earn while on Youth Allowance?
Students can earn up to $539 per fortnight before the payment reduces at 50 cents per dollar. Job seekers have a lower free area.
Does Youth Allowance affect my tax?
Youth Allowance is taxable income. You can ask Services Australia to withhold tax from your payments.