On the day you claim, you and the child you’re claiming for must be living in Australia and have one of the following:
- Australian citizenship
- a permanent visa
- a Special Category visa where a waiting period may apply.
The child does not need to be in Australia at the time of claiming, if they are:
- enrolled at school in Australia and are on an international student exchange
- already eligible for Distance Education Allowance and are doing full time distance education while overseas
- overseas for less than 12 months.
To keep getting your payment, you and the child you’re claiming for must continue to be living in Australia as Australian residents.