Austudy (for over 25s)

Austudy payment is the income support payment for students aged 25 years and over undertaking qualifying study.

Full details of Austudy and online application can be found on the Centrelink website.

Similar to Youth Allowance, if you are claiming for the first time, your Austudy payment commences from the date you lodge your claim for payment or the date your course commences, whichever is later. It is important you lodge your application as soon as possible as there is no backdating of payments on late applications.

You can contact Centrelink (13 2490) and advise them of your "intent to lodge a claim" for Austudy benefits. You must lodge your Austudy application within 14 days of your notification. If your Austudy application is successful, the date of your notification will be used as the first date that you receive your Austudy benefits from.

Should you fail to submit your application within the 14 day period, the actual date of your lodgement will be used as the start date for your Austudy benefits.

Please Note: Some scholarship funds are treated as income by Centrelink.  Thus, if you are in receipt of Centrelink benefits, it is important to advice Centrelink of any scholarship payments you may be awarded. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of your Centrelink benefits and/or penalties being applied by Centrelink!

Rent Assistance can also be paid in addition to the Austudy Allowance.  Rent Assistance is deemed tax free.  Any board or lodge you pay can be included as 'rent'.  To claim, please provide details of what you pay as rent, board or lodging and to whom with your application.  Or, if you are in receipt of Austudy and haven't yet applied for Rent Assistance, please provide Centrelink with these details as you will not be back paid.  Please note that there is a minimum rental payable before rent assistance is payable.

Full details of the Austudy payment can be found on the Centrelink website by clicking here:

For further information or answers to your questions, please contact Centrelink directly, visit ipoint or send an email to the Student Financial Aid Officer in Student Services.