Who can get it

We pay ABSTUDY School Fees Allowance at home rate to parents and guardians of students who meet certain requirements.

Requirements for students

To get School Fees Allowance at home rate, students must be all of the following:

  • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian
  • aged 15 or younger
  • living at home or not approved to live away from home.

The must also be either:

  • a full-time student in high school, including those approved for home schooling or distance education
  • a primary school student aged 14 or older on 1 January in the year of study.

Students in state care

If a student you’re caring for is in state care they can still get the allowance. They must meet all the requirements listed above.

Students with special circumstances

You can get the allowance for a student you’re caring for if we consider them independent in any of these situations:

Requirements for parents and guardians

To get School Term Allowance at home rate, you or your partner must be one of the following:

Page last updated: 19 May 2023.
QC 64820