What is Youth Allowance while you build your business?

Job search

On Youth Allowance as a job seeker you agree to a Job Plan and meet it, including any points target and job searches, and report every 2 weeks.

Your business work can count. Self-Employment Assistance services earn points, and Small Business Training replaces job search for up to 8 weeks. A Youth Allowance recipient substantially involved in running a family business does not meet their requirements through it.

What you must do to keep getting it

• Report every 2 weeks, even if it’s $0. Leave business income out of this report.
• Tell Centrelink within 14 days when you start a business or its income changes (MOD F and SU580).
• If you’re dependent, keep your parents’ income details up to date when asked.
• 12 fortnights in a row at $0 cancels your payment; you’d need to reapply.

If you earn money

$150 a fortnight is free, then 50c for each $1 between $150 and $250 and 60c for each $1 over $250. Business profit is assessed as for JobSeeker: net of allowed costs, as an annual amount. Full-time paid work of 70 hours a fortnight means you’re not unemployed.

If you take or turn down a job: You must go to job interviews and accept any offer of suitable paid work. Not meeting your requirements can bring demerits and financial penalties.