youth allowance

what does 'unable to live at home' mean?
problems you may run into with youth allowance

To be eligible you must be:

aged 18 to 21 years;
unemployed;
able and willing to work full-time; and
actively seeking work,

aged 15 to 21 years;
unemployed; and
have an exemption from the Activity Test (e.g. temporarily sick, or with a disability),

aged 15 to 25 years; and
in full-time education.

While you are on Youth Allowance, you can be suspended if you don't meet Centrelink requirements (See 'Newstart Allowance', above).

To apply, go to your local Centrelink office. You will be paid at either the dependent rate or independent rate (a higher rate). You will be regarded as 'independent' from your parents/guardians if one of the following applies to you:

you are unable to live at home (see below for more details);
you have established a work history;
you are either married, have a child or have been a member of a couple for 12 months;
you have or previously had a natural or adopted child who was wholly or substantially dependent on you;
both your parents are dead;
your parent(s) are in prison or remanded in custody;
your parent(s) are in a nursing home, or they have a disability that affects their ability to exercise their responsibilities as your parent/guardian for an indefinite period;
your parents/guardians are missing;
you are a refugee without a parent living in Australia or, if you have no parents in Australia, you are not substantially dependent on another person on a long term basis; or
you are in the legal guardianship of a state or territory (i.e. you are a ward of the state) and not living with your parents or receiving a payment from them for your upkeep.

what does 'unable to live at home' mean?

Centrelink will accept you are unable to live at home where:

there is 'extreme family breakdown' or other exceptional circumstances; or
it would be unreasonable to expect you to stay at home because there would be a serious risk to your physical or mental health due to violence, sexual abuse or other unreasonable circumstances; or
your parents cannot provide you with a suitable home because they lack stable accommodation.
In addition you would need to show that you are not receiving:
continuous support from a parent or a guardian; or
any other income from either the State or Commonwealth Government.

Extreme family breakdown can include problems with your parents, brother, sister or any person that lives or regularly visits your home. Abuse at home does not have to be against you personally.

Centrelink may want to contact your family/guardian/counsellor to get their views.

Young people under the age of 18 who are applying for Youth Allowance and unable to live at home are required to meet with a Centrelink social worker.