What is the difference between austudy and abstudy?

Answer 1

The difference is about $92.70. That's for a single person. But unlike the Abstudy the Austudy rates table is not as detailed. It's broken down into 4 different parts;

Abstudy

Austudy

Difference

Single

469.70

377

92.70

Single with child

508.20

493.90

14.30

Partnered no child

424

377

47

Partnered with children

424

413.90

10.10

this is as of September 2010, and is a straight comparison of maximums. The real difference is when you look at the abstudy table its very detailed;

A student

Under 16 years-in tertiary education $28.40

Under 16 years-in State care and Foster Care Allowance is paid $206.30 1

6-17 years-in State care and Foster Care Allowance is paid $206.30

18-20 years-in State care and Foster Care Allowance is paid $248.10

Under 16 years-in State care and no Foster Care Allowance is paid $377

16-20 years-in State care and no Foster Care Allowance is paid $377

16-17 years $206.30 18-20 years $248.10 21 years and over $469.70

A student living away from home

Under 16 years $206.30

16-20 years $377

21 years and over $469.70

An independent student-single, no children

under 16 years $377

16-20 years $377

Under 16 years-at home $206.30

16-17 years-at home $206.30

18-20 years-at home $248.10

21 years and over $469.70 Single,

aged 60 or over (includes Pharmaceutical Allowance) $514.20

An independent student-partnered, no children

under 16 years $377

16-20 years $377

21 years and over $424

An independent student-single, with dependent child

under 16 years $493.90

16-20 years $493.90

21 years and over $508.20

An independent student-partnered, with dependent child

under 16 years $413.90

16-20 years $413.90

21 years and over $424

Studying for a Masters or Doctorate $863

Again, this is a straight rip from the centerlink site, not mine.

As you can see this covers just about every possible situation, where as if you minus the abstudy column from the first table, that is all you get for Austudy.

Eligibility- Abstudy

You may be eligible for ABSTUDY if you are of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person and you are accepted as such in the community you live or have lived in.

Eligibility- Austudy

You may be eligible for Austudy if you are aged 25 or over and are:

• studying an approved full-time course at an approved institution, or
• undertaking a full-time Australian Apprenticeship.