ABSTUDY Living Allowance rate table 2026
ABSTUDY Living Allowance · Aged 22 or over — Standard — At home
Basic rate per fortnight · $21,026.20 ≈ per year (×26 fortnights)
- Basic Rate
- $808.70
- Energy Supplement
- $8.80
- Total per fortnight
- $817.50
$817.50 total with Energy Supplement (paid automatically with this payment).
Effective 20 March 2026 · Source: DSS / Services Australia
Every ABSTUDY Living Allowance variant
| Variant | Base rate | Supplements | Total /fortnight | ≈ per year (×26) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aged 22 or over — Standard — At home | $808.70 | $8.80 | $817.50 | $21,255 |
| Aged 22 or over — Standard — Away from home | $808.70 | $8.80 | $817.50 | $21,255 |
| Aged 22 or over — Independent — Single, no children | $808.70 | $8.80 | $817.50 | $21,255 |
| Aged 22 or over — Independent — Single, with children | $866 | $9.50 | $875.50 | $22,763 |
| Aged 55 or over — Independent | $866 | $16.50 | $882.50 | $22,945 |
| Aged 22 or over — Independent — Partnered (each), no children | $740.30 | $7.90 | $748.20 | $19,453.20 |
| Aged 22 or over — Independent — Partnered (each), with children | $740.30 | $7.90 | $748.20 | $19,453.20 |
| Standard — Under 16, tertiary | — | $42.90 | $42.90 | $1,115.40 |
| Standard — 16 to 17 years | — | $418.90 | $418.90 | $10,891.40 |
| Standard — 18 to 21 years | — | $482.40 | $482.40 | $12,542.40 |
| In state care (Foster Care Allowance paid) — Under 16 | — | $418.90 | $418.90 | $10,891.40 |
| In state care (Foster Care Allowance paid) — 16 to 17 | — | $418.90 | $418.90 | $10,891.40 |
| In state care (Foster Care Allowance paid) — 18 to 21 | — | $482.40 | $482.40 | $12,542.40 |
| In state care (no Foster Care Allowance) — Under 16 | — | $677.20 | $677.20 | $17,607.20 |
| In state care (no Foster Care Allowance) — 16 to 21 | — | $677.20 | $677.20 | $17,607.20 |
| Away from home — Under 16 | — | $677.20 | $677.20 | $17,607.20 |
| Away from home — 16 to 21 | — | $677.20 | $677.20 | $17,607.20 |
| Independent single, no children — Under 16 | — | $677.20 | $677.20 | $17,607.20 |
| Independent single, no children — 16 to 21 | — | $677.20 | $677.20 | $17,607.20 |
| Independent single — Under 16, at home | — | $418.90 | $418.90 | $10,891.40 |
| Independent single — 16 to 17, at home | — | $418.90 | $418.90 | $10,891.40 |
| Independent single — 18 to 21, at home | — | $482.40 | $482.40 | $12,542.40 |
| Independent partnered, no children — Under 16 | — | $677.20 | $677.20 | $17,607.20 |
| Independent partnered, no children — 16 to 21 | — | $677.20 | $677.20 | $17,607.20 |
| Independent single with dependent child — Under 16 | — | $854.20 | $854.20 | $22,209.20 |
| Independent single with dependent child — 16 to 21 | — | $854.20 | $854.20 | $22,209.20 |
| Independent partnered with dependent child — Under 16 | — | $733.20 | $733.20 | $19,063.20 |
| Independent partnered with dependent child — 16 to 21 | — | $733.20 | $733.20 | $19,063.20 |
| Masters and Doctorate students | — | $1,316.20 | $1,316.20 | $34,221.20 |
Source: DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 20 March 2026 — ABSTUDY Living Allowance — Standard — Single — Aged 22 or over — At home · DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 20 March 2026 — ABSTUDY Living Allowance — Standard — Single — Aged 22 or over — Away from home · DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 20 March 2026 — ABSTUDY Living Allowance — Independent — Single — Aged 22 or over — No dependent children · DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 20 March 2026 — ABSTUDY Living Allowance — Independent — Single — Aged 22 or over — With dependent children · DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 20 March 2026 — ABSTUDY Living Allowance — Independent — Single — Aged 55 or over · DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 20 March 2026 — ABSTUDY Living Allowance — Independent — Partnered (each) — Aged 22 or over — No dependent children · DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 20 March 2026 — ABSTUDY Living Allowance — Independent — Partnered (each) — Aged 22 or over — With dependent children · DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 1 January 2026 — ABSTUDY — Living Allowance rates
The table below shows the ABSTUDY Living Allowance rates. The Living Allowance broadly mirrors Youth Allowance rates, grouped by age, living situation and family situation. ABSTUDY also has extra help, such as School Fees Allowance and boarding support, that is not shown as part of the Living Allowance rate here.
The rate shown is the maximum basic Living Allowance. Your actual payment can be lower once the income test, and for younger students the parental means test, is applied. Because ABSTUDY has so many parts, this page does not include a calculator; use the official ABSTUDY estimator for a figure that fits your circumstances.
More on ABSTUDY Living Allowance
- ABSTUDY Living Allowance overviewRate, tests and calculator
- How much in 2026?The headline answer
- Income testHow earnings change it
Estimates and general information only — not financial advice. Check Services Australia for your circumstances.
Rates current as of 20 March 2026. Source: DSS / Services Australia. Last checked 17 July 2026.