Student couple - one eligible

When 2 students are considered a couple for Student Allowance purposes and only one of them is eligible for a Student Allowance, the following apply:

• the eligible student may earn personal income up to $284.70 gross per week (as at 1 April 2026). In any week this is exceeded, abatement will occur
• if the couple's total combined income is more than $569.40 but less than $1,185.75 gross per week (as at 1 April 2026), the eligible student is paid the applicable rate
• in any week that the couple's total combined income is $1,185.75 gross or more per week (as at 1 April 2026), there is no entitlement to Student Allowance

The personal income abatement reduces the gross weekly rate of Student Allowance by the equivalent amount received by the eligible student over $284.70 gross per week (as at 1 April 2026) until entitlement is nil.

Example if a student gets $290 gross per week, their gross Student Allowance will reduce by $5.30 (as at 1 April 2026).

A student enrolled in more than half of a full-time course whether a recognised programme or not, but who is not eligible or entitled to a Student Allowance in their own right, cannot be paid as though they were eligible.

The eligible student will get a 'one eligible' rate of Student Allowance and an Accommodation Benefit. This rate will increase if the couple have a supported child or children.

The partner does not have to live with the student to be considered a partner.

Both the eligible student and their partner are required to advise of any income they get that would affect any entitlement to a Student Allowance.

When the non-eligible student undertakes study that is not full-time (but more than half of full-time) whether it is a recognised programme or not, the rate payable is reduced as a Student Allowance is not generally paid for part-time study.

Where the non-eligible partner undertakes study that is full-time, but they are not eligible, the rate payable is also reduced, as a Student Allowance is not payable to a non-eligible student.