Earlier changes

The Guide to Social Development Policy

What's new

4 September 2026

Changes when a child turns 18

From 4 September 2026, when a dependent child turns 18, they are generally no longer considered a dependent child. This means they will be excluded from their parent or caregiver's payments 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 until 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 gets a discretionary benefit, they must complete a review of circumstances when a dependent child turns 18, or when the child no longer meets the criteria to be considered a dependent child. If they do not complete the review, their benefit will be suspended.

For more information see:

For information relating to specific main benefits or extra help, see the individual Map topics.

Residence

The residence requirements have been updated to remove out-of-date information for the following:

Legislation

The following ministerial directions have been updated, effective from 4 September 2026:

These are also available in a hard-copy (PDF) format. See ministerial directions.

The following welfare programmes have been updated, effective from 4 September 2026:

These are also available in a hard-copy (PDF) format. See welfare programmes.

Top

For the purposes of the review of circumstances when a child turns 18 or an 18-year-old child is no longer considered a dependent child and is excluded from a parent or caregiver's benefit, the following are discretionary benefits:

  • Emergency Benefit
  • Emergency Maintenance Allowance
  • Jobseeker Support Hardship
  • Jobseeker Support Student Hardship
  • Special Benefit
  • Community Costs

Parents and caregivers must respond to the notice and complete the review of circumstances when a dependent child turns 18 or their discretionary ...