How we pay it

We’ll let you know who we’ll pay Living Allowance to when you claim.

In some situations, parents and guardians might be able to choose who we pay it to.

Students 18 or older

We can pay ABSTUDY straight to you, if you are one of the following:

• a student 18 or older
• a student under 18 and independent
• a high school student at a non-school provider
• a higher education or a masters or doctorate student.

Apprentices

If you’re doing an Australian Apprenticeship, we can pay ABSTUDY straight to you.

High school students aged 16 or 17 and living at home

If you’re 16 or 17 and a dependent high school student living at home, we pay ABSTUDY to either:

• your parent or guardian
• the student, if requested by their parent or guardian
• the student, if their parent or guardian uses it for other purposes, like gambling or alcohol.

High school students and living away from home

Under 16

For dependent high school students under 16 who live away from home, we may pay ABSTUDY to:

• their parent or guardian
• their boarding school
• their private board provider, if requested by their parent or guardian
• their boarding hostel if it has an active ABSTUDY Standard Hostels Agreement.

16 or older

For dependent high school students aged 16 or older who live away from home, we may pay ABSTUDY to:

• their parent or guardian
• the student, if requested by their parent or guardian
• their boarding school
• their private board provider, if requested by their parent or guardian
• their boarding hostel if it has an active ABSTUDY Standard Hostels Agreement.