Child turns 18

A dependent child must generally be under the age of 18 to be included in their parent or caregiver's Jobseeker Support.

When a child turns 18, they are generally no longer considered a dependent child and must be excluded from their parent or caregiver's Jobseeker Support from the start of the pay period following the child's 18th birthday.

However, if the 18-year-old child is continuing in education and is not financially independent, the child may continue to be considered a dependent child and be included in their parent or caregiver's Jobseeker Support for a limited period.

In these situations, the child must be excluded from the start of the pay period following:

• the date they no longer meet these criteria or
• 31 December of the year they turn 18

whichever is earlier

Note if a parent or caregiver is getting a discretionary benefit such as Jobseeker Support on the ground of hardship, they must complete a review of circumstances when a dependent child turns 18, and when the child is excluded (if they continued to be included in the benefit after they turned 18). If the parent or caregiver does not complete the review, their Jobseeker Support will be suspended.