[1] In general, to qualify, one must be an Australian resident, over 25, and studying full-time at an approved education institution.
However, students who were receiving Youth Allowance prior to turning 25 and are still pursuing the same course of study continue to receive Youth Allowance until they finish (or otherwise terminate) their course.
[2] From 1 July 1998 to 31 December 2007, Austudy Payment recipients were not entitled to Rent Assistance.
As a result of the 8 May 2007 Federal Budget Announcement, the Australian Government legislated to provide Rent Assistance as a supplementary payment to eligible recipients from 1 January 2008 Like most Australian Government Department of Human Services (Australia) payments, administered under the Centrelink master program, Austudy Payment is subject to a personal and/or partner income and assets test.
This scholarship has not been made available to students studying Vocational Education or Secondary School level courses.