Returning to study as a mature-age student can be a great way to transform your career prospects. You may be going back to study to upskill yourself, pursue a master's qualification or start your first degree. Although studying at a mature age is an exciting prospect, it can be difficult to juggle with other commitments. Luckily, there is a range of study allowances available to you. Individuals aged 21 years or older who are studying full-time can be eligible to Austudy, which provides fortnightly payments to help cover living expenses. You can also apply for ABSTUDY if you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island descent, or VET Student Loans if you are undertaking a TAFE certificate.
Who is a mature-age student?
Anybody over the age of 21 is considered a mature-age student. This covers a wide range of people with different experience levels, backgrounds and ages. Mature-aged students can vary in age, with some just a few years removed from high school, while others are well into their 70s and 80s.
Reasons for studying as a mature-age student?
There are a variety of reasons for why you might be studying as a mature-age student. This could be a great opportunity to advance your career with extra qualifications or change careers altogether. You could also be commencing study for the first time out of high school, with the aim of completing a tertiary education. Regardless of how old you are, studying remains a fulfilling experience that can open the door to new opportunities.
What is Austudy?
Austudy is a government-funded program to help full-time students and apprentices cover their living expenses with income support. Administered by Services Australia, the program is designed for mature-aged students over the age of 25.
Through Austudy, eligible students and apprentices can receive fortnightly support, with payment amounts varying depending on their personal circumstances. This can help you cover important daily expenses, such as housing costs, groceries, transportation or healthcare. For mature students, Austudy assists with reducing the stress of studying later in life. Financial pressure can be a burden for anybody, with Austudy’s fortnightly payments helping you focus on study.
To apply for Austudy, please visit Services Australia for more information.
Who qualifies for Austudy?
To qualify for Austudy, you will need to meet the eligibility criteria:
- Age: You must be 25 years of age or older to receive the payment. If you’re under the age of 25, then you qualify for Youth Allowance instead. Importantly, if you are already receiving Youth Allowance payments and are planning to turn 25 during your studies, you won’t move to Austudy. Instead, you will continue to receive Youth Allowance until you finish your current study.
- Full-time study: You must be a full-time student who is enrolled in an approved course from the approved institutions. These can include a degree from a university, a TAFE certificate or a VET course. You are also eligible if you are undertaking an apprenticeship. You must also be full-time and registered with the Australian Apprenticeship scheme. Part-time study typically does not qualify for Austudy. However, if you need to reduce your study load due to an unforeseen circumstance or disability, you can seek an exemption.
- Residency requirements: You must either be an Australian citizen, have a permanent residency visa or a protected special category visa (SCV) if you’re from New Zealand.
- Support payments: You cannot receive Austudy payments if you are already getting other income support, such as JobSeeker or a Parenting Payment. Once you begin your Austudy payment schedule, these other programs will stop providing income support.
Am I eligible for Austudy if I study online?
Yes, your Austudy payments will not be affected if you choose to study online. As long as you meet the other eligibility requirements, you will be able to enrol in a course that’s conducted fully online. This is particularly beneficial for mature-age students, with online courses providing greater flexibility for balancing studies with other commitments.
How much do you receive from Austudy?
The total amount you can receive from Austudy will depend upon your living situation, family status and personal income. At the time of writing, students are eligible to receive the following fortnightly rate:
Your situation | Your maximum fortnightly payment from 1 January 2025 |
Single, no children | $663.30 |
Single, with children | $836.60 |
A couple, no children | $663.30 |
A couple with children | $718.10 |
Your payments will also be subject to income tests. Currently, in 2025, your Austudy support will decrease if you or your partner earns more than $528 per fortnight. Once you reach over $1,662.67, your payments will be reduced to zero. Like your fortnightly payments, your income tests will depend on your living situation and family status. The following table presents how your income affects Austudy:
Your living situation | Amount your payment reduces by if you earn between $528-$633 per fortnight | Amount your payment reduces by if you earn more than $633 per fortnight | Maximum income before your payment reduces to $0 |
Single or in a couple, no children, | 50 cents for each dollar over $528 | $52.50 plus 60 cents for each dollar over $633 | $1,662.67 |
Member of a couple with children | 50 cents for each dollar over $528 | $52.50 plus 60 cents for each dollar over $633 | $1,755.17 |
Single with children | 50 cents for each dollar over $528 | $52.50 plus 60 cents for each dollar over $633 | $1,955.17 |
Source: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/income-tests-for-austudy
Difference between Austudy and Youth Allowance
Like Austudy, Youth Allowance is an income support program designed to help students studying full-time. However, while Austudy is designed for mature students, Youth Allowance is only eligible for those aged 24 years or younger. Youth Allowance also has its own eligibility criteria, with different income tests and fortnightly payment rates to Austudy.
Other study allowances for mature students
In addition to Austudy, there are other support programs available to mature-age students in their studies. They include the following:
ABSTUDY
ABSTUDY provides fortnightly payments to students of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent. You can be eligible for ABSTUDY if you are either studying full-time or part-time, and are enrolled in secondary, tertiary, postgraduate studies, or an Australian apprenticeship. Your payments will vary depending upon your age, whether you are living and home and if you have dependent children. ABSTUDY is available for eligible students to claim for themselves once they turn 16.
Pensioner Education Supplement (PES)
PES aims to help students who are already getting supported by Services Australia or the Department of Veterans Affairs, with a supplementary payment. For example, if you are already receiving a Service Pension, you may be eligible for PES as well. To qualify, you must also be either studying full-time, or part-time if you are a single parent with a child, or you have an affecting disability.
Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP)
If you are undertaking mandatory placements in nursing, teaching and social work, students can access the CPP for income support. When eligible, students may receive $331.65 per week during their placement. In order to qualify, students must be undertaking a placement of at least 30 hours per week. In addition, they must be enrolled in a bachelors or masters degree in social work, teaching, midwifery or nursing. For students undertaking a TAFE diploma, you can access the CPP (VET) grant.
Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans (AASL)
This program is aimed at Australian apprentices who are currently undertaking their training. To help assist with everyday living costs, eligible apprentices can receive a loan of up to $25,983 per year through monthly payments. You also won’t have to start paying back your loan until you’re earning above the minimum threshold of $67,000 per year. Furthermore, apprentices who finish their apprenticeship will receive a 20% discount on their total loan.
VET Student Loans (VSL)
When studying an approved VET course, VSL can provide you with a loan to cover all or part of your course fees. To receive the VSL, your course must be on the approved list, and you will have to provide documentation to prove you meet eligibility. Like the AASL, you won’t have to start repaying your loan until your income is above the minimum repayment threshold.
Jobseeker
Although it’s usually unavailable to full-time students, there may be instances where JobSeeker support payments are necessary. For instance, you may be eligible for JobSeeker if you are sick or injured for a period of time that stops you from being able to study. You will also need to provide a medical certificate in order to qualify and meet the eligibility criteria.
Tips for returning to study as a mature-age student
Before returning back to study, it’s great to be across some of our key learning tips:
Be prepared for the commitment
Returning to study can be a massive undertaking. Whether it’s a master’s degree or a TAFE diploma, you should be ready to spend anywhere between 10-40 hours per week on your education. If you’re feeling apprehensive about your ability to stay committed to study, consult with your course providers or Skills and Job Centre. Every institution should have student advisors and support networks to help you achieve your goals.
Create a study schedule
Creating a calendar that plans out all of your assignments, tutorials and study periods is a great way to stay on top of deadlines. It can also help you better understand your workload, to avoid feeling stressed and overwhelmed. We recommend taking a look at our course workbook or calendar to understand your key dates and assignments.
Get the right technology
When you haven't studied for a long time, the amount of new technology being used may leave you feeling confused. Firstly, make sure you have access to all of the necessary devices to complete your studies, such as a laptop, tablet or calculator. If you are unsure about what you need, consult with your teachers or course coordinators. They will be able to provide support on what technology you will need and advice on how to operate these devices.
Connect with your cohort
One of the most exciting parts of studying is connecting with people who share the same interests as you. This can be a great opportunity to build a network of like-minded people who can help support your studies and entry into the workforce.
Study allowances help to support an exciting return to study. With new people to meet and opportunities to take, programs such as Austudy aim to keep you supported. With so many courses available to mature students, it can be difficult to know where to start. TAFE Gippsland has a variety of study options taught by industry professionals. If you’re looking for further support on returning to study, please contact the helpful team at TAFE Gippsland.