You’re in lawful custody for 6 months or more

You may be independent if you spent 6 months or more in lawful custody.

Time in lawful custody includes time spent in correctional institutions, remand centres or youth training centres. You must have spent 6 months or more in total in lawful custody and be any of the following:

  • a secondary student 18 or older
  • a tertiary student
  • an Australian Apprentice.

You may need to give proof that you meet these requirements. You may need to give us 1 or more of the following:

  • a statement from your correctional institution that says how long you were in prison
  • a statement from you that says which institution or institutions you went to and when you were there.
Page last updated: 10 December 2021.
QC 52725