Austudy rates 2026
Austudy · Single, no children
Basic rate per fortnight · $17,607.20 ≈ per year (×26 fortnights)
- Maximum basic rate
- $677.20
- Total per fortnight
- $677.20
Effective 1 January 2026 · Source: DSS / Services Australia
Austudy is income support for full-time students and Australian Apprentices aged 25 or older. It is the payment for older students who are past the age for Youth Allowance. It is paid by Services Australia through Centrelink.
This page shows every Austudy rate. What you get depends on whether you are single or partnered and whether you have dependent children. The rates change on 1 January 2027.
Every number on this page is taken line by line from the Department of Social Services rates list and checked against the Services Australia payments guide.
Full Austudy rate table
| Variant | Base rate | Supplements | Total /fortnight | ≈ per year (×26) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single, no children | — | $677.20 | $677.20 | $17,607.20 |
| Single, with children | — | $854.20 | $854.20 | $22,209.20 |
| Partnered, with children | — | $733.20 | $733.20 | $19,063.20 |
| Partnered, no children | — | $677.20 | $677.20 | $17,607.20 |
| Special rate — Single, no children | — | $799.70 | $799.70 | $20,792.20 |
| Special rate — Partnered, no children | — | $733.20 | $733.20 | $19,063.20 |
Source: DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 1 January 2026 — Austudy — Maximum basic rate · DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 1 January 2026 — Austudy — Maximum basic rate (special rate)
The table below shows every Austudy rate: single, single with children, partnered, and partnered with children. Because Austudy is for people aged 25 and over, there is no at-home or away-from-home split and no parental means test.
The rate shown is the maximum for each situation. Where an Energy Supplement applies, it is paid automatically with Austudy and shown as its own line; it has been frozen at the same amount since it was introduced, so it does not rise at indexation. Your actual payment can be lower once the income test is applied.
Estimate your Austudy
Income Bank: students and apprentices build up an Income Bank. Unused fortnightly income limits carry over, so income up to your Income Bank balance may not reduce your payment — this estimate does not include your Income Bank credit. See the Income Bank explainer for details.
Your own gross income, before tax.
Estimated Austudy payment
$677.20per fortnight
- ≈ per year (×26 fortnights) $17,607.20
How this is worked out
What this means
Austudy is paid every two weeks. Your rate is set by whether you are single or partnered and whether you have children. A student with children is paid more than one without.
Like other students, Austudy recipients get an Income Bank. When you earn less than the income free area, the unused part builds up as a credit you can draw on later to offset income above the free area. This helps if you earn more during a study break.
Because Austudy is for people who claim as adults, there is no parental means test. If you have a partner, their income can still reduce your payment through the partner income test.
Austudy is indexed once a year, on 1 January, by the Consumer Price Index. The next increase is on 1 January 2027, and this page updates to match.
Who can get Austudy
Services Australia assesses Austudy on your age, your study or apprenticeship load, your residence status, and your income. You generally need to be 25 or older and studying full time in an approved course or doing an Australian Apprenticeship.
This page reports the rates and the test rules. It does not decide your claim. For the eligibility rules that apply to your own situation, check the official Austudy page linked at the top and bottom of this page.
Explore Austudy
- Full rate tableEvery variant, base to total
- How much in 2026?The answer, up top
- Income testHow earnings change it
- Assets testLimits and free areas
- CalculatorEstimate your payment
Austudy: common questions
- How much is Austudy per fortnight?
- The maximum Austudy rate for a single student with no children is $677.20 a fortnight. Students with children and partnered students have their own rates, shown in the table at the top of this page. Your payment can be lower once the income test is applied, though the Income Bank can help if you earn more during a study break.
- What is the difference between Austudy and Youth Allowance?
- Austudy is for students aged 25 or older; Youth Allowance is for those aged 16 to 24. Austudy has no at-home or away-from-home rates and no parental means test, because it is for people who claim as adults. See our Austudy versus Youth Allowance comparison for the detail.
- When does Austudy go up next?
- Austudy is indexed once a year, on 1 January. The next increase is on 1 January 2027. New rates are published just before that date, and this page updates to match.
- Does Austudy have an Income Bank?
- Yes. When you earn less than the income free area, the unused part builds up as an Income Bank credit. You can draw on it later to offset income above the free area, which helps students who work more during holidays. Services Australia tracks your Income Bank balance.
- Is Austudy taxable?
- Yes, Austudy is taxable income and goes in your tax return. Whether you actually pay tax depends on your total income for the year. You can ask Services Australia to take tax out of your payments if you prefer.
Estimates and general information only — not financial advice. Check Services Australia for your circumstances.
Rates current as of 1 January 2026. Source: DSS / Services Australia. Last checked 17 July 2026.