Title: What is Youth Allowance while you build your business? > If you’re 16 to 21, Youth Allowance as a job seeker can support you while you plan and start a business. Business profit is assessed the same way as JobSee Source: https://pontia.xyz/au/guide/ya/ Checked: 25 September 2026 Keep an incomeJob search required # What is Youth Allowance while you build your business? If you’re 16 to 21, Youth Allowance as a job seeker can support you while you plan and start a business. Business profit is assessed the same way as JobSeeker, and your Job Plan still applies. ## The key facts - $482.40 a fortnight at 18+ living at home, $677.20 if you need to live away from home, $418.90 under 18 at home (from 20 September 2026) - Income over $150 a fortnight cuts it by 50c per $1 up to $250, then 60c per $1 above $250 - Business profit counts after allowed costs, as an annual amount; report changes within 14 days - If you’re assessed as dependent, your parents’ income can also reduce it ## What you must do to keep getting it Job search required ### 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. ## The other route You can’t be on both at once. Compare them before you choose. - [What is JobSeeker Payment while you build your business?Stay on JobSeeker Payment while you plan and start a small business. Your net business profit is set as an ann…](https://pontia.xyz/au/guide/jobseeker/)[Compare side by side →](https://pontia.xyz/au/compare/ya-vs-jobseeker/) - [What is Small Business Coaching and Self-Employment Allowance?Part of Self-Employment Assistance: 12 months of mentoring to launch your business, with no mutual obligation …](https://pontia.xyz/au/guide/sbc/)[Compare side by side →](https://pontia.xyz/au/compare/ya-vs-sbc/) ## Add this to my plan We’ll track your must-dos and deadlines for you, and keep your job-search record. [Add this to my plan](https://pontia.xyz/au/start/?from=guide&scheme=au-ya&status=have) Free forever · No card · No hidden charges Sources, checked 25 September 2026 - [servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-much-youth-allowance-for-job-seekers-you-can-get](https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-much-youth-allowance-for-job-seekers-you-can-get) - [servicesaustralia.gov.au/personal-income-test-for-youth-allowance-for-job-seekers?context=43921](https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/personal-income-test-for-youth-allowance-for-job-seekers?context=43921) - [guides.dss.gov.au/social-security-guide/3/11/3/20](https://guides.dss.gov.au/social-security-guide/3/11/3/20) - [guides.dss.gov.au/social-security-guide/4/7/1/20](https://guides.dss.gov.au/social-security-guide/4/7/1/20) This guide explains the official rules in plain words. It isn’t advice about your own claim: your adviser decides. Not a government service. Not financial, tax or legal advice. Cite this page "What is Youth Allowance while you build your business?", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/au/guide/ya/ (updated 25 September 2026) ## Related guides and tools - [Start your business and keep your payment](https://pontia.xyz/au/) - [Mutual obligation points, without the admin](https://pontia.xyz/au/mutual-obligation-points/) - [JobSeeker self-employed calculator](https://pontia.xyz/au/jobseeker-self-employed-calculator/) - [Young and not working yet? Your idea could be your first job.](https://pontia.xyz/au/young-people/) - [Australian State Small Business Support Index 2026](https://pontia.xyz/au/datasets/au-state-support-index/) - [Months of benefit while starting up: Australia vs 8 countries](https://pontia.xyz/au/datasets/au-support-months/) - [Australia start-up support for job seekers: figures 2026](https://pontia.xyz/au/datasets/au-startup-support/) - [JobSeeker Payment while you build your business vs Youth Allowance while you build your business](https://pontia.xyz/au/compare/jobseeker-vs-ya/) - [JobSeeker Payment while you build your business vs Small Business Coaching and Self-Employment Allowance](https://pontia.xyz/au/compare/jobseeker-vs-sbc/) --- Pontia is free and independent. It is not a government service and not financial, tax, legal or benefits advice; always check the official source linked on the page. Some tool links are affiliate links: we may earn a fee at no cost to you, and free options come first. Contact: hello@pontia.xyz Cite as: "What is Youth Allowance while you build your business?", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/au/guide/ya/ (updated 25 September 2026) Whole site in one file: https://pontia.xyz/llms-full.txt