Age

To get Jobseeker Support Student Hardship, a client must be aged:

• 18 years or older if they do not have dependent children or
• 20 years or older if they have dependent children or
• 16 or 17 years old (with or without a dependent child) and
  • be married, in a civil union, or in a de facto relationship with consent or
  • be single and have a parental support gap

Some clients under 20 years old must meet the Parental Assistance Test to qualify for Jobseeker Support Student Hardship. This generally applies to young people who:

• do not have a dependent child or get Foster Care Allowance for a child and
• are 18 or 19 years old or
• are 16 or 17 years old with a partner aged 18 years or older (specific rules apply)

If a client qualifies for Jobseeker Support Student Hardship and has a 16 or 17 year old partner, the partner can be included in the benefit when they are:

• legally married or
• in a civil union or
• in a de facto relationship with Family Court Judge consent

A single student under 18 years with no dependent children will meet the age qualification if:

• they were getting an Independent Circumstances Allowance during the academic year and
• their personal circumstances have not changed

A single young parent aged 16 or 17 who has been getting Student Allowance cannot get Jobseeker Support Student Hardship if they:

• are living at home or being financially supported by their parents and
• their parents earn less than the family tax credit income limit

These clients must test their eligibility for Young Parent Payment.