Can I get a Centrelink loan for students in Australia? Yes, if you are already receiving Centrelink benefits as a university student. You can be eligible for and receive a $1,202 loan twice a year to help manage your study costs.
The outline of this article discusses the types of loan options available for Centrelink students and the maximum payments you can get. It also explains how to apply for student startup loans through Centrelink, how students can get other government assistance programs in Australia, available Australian government student loans, and how to get HECS-HELP and mature-age financial help.
Does Centrelink offer loans for students in Australia?
Yes, Centrelink can offer financial help for students in Australia, but you can’t get traditional loans from Centrelink. As a Centrelink student, you can get different types of grants and one-off payments that don’t require repayment.
Centrelink’s ongoing support for student payments
Centrelink Youth Allowance for full-time students
| Payments according to your situation | Fortnightly maximum rates(2024-25) |
| If you are under 22 years old and living at home | $330.40 |
| If you are independent and live away from home | $537.40 |
| If you are more than 22 years old and independent | $537.40 |
| If you are living with a partner | $537.40 |
Centrelink Austudy payments for a student
| Payments according to your situation | Fortnightly maximum rates(2024-25) |
| If you are single with no children | $639 |
| If you are a single parent with children | $806 |
| If you are a partner | $639 each |
Centrelink ABSTUDY payments for a student
ABSTUDY is not just one payment. It includes different types of Centrelink financial support for students.
| Types of financial support payments | Fortnightly maximum rates(2024-25) | Payment description |
| Living Allowance | If you are single, under 18 years old, and living at home: Up to $469.70 If you are single, 18+, and living independently: Up to $639.10 | You can cover basic living costs such as food, accommodation, and travel expenses. |
| Incidental Allowance | If you are a secondary student and living at home, up to $526 per year If you are a secondary student and living away from home, up to $1,053 per year If you are a tertiary student, you can get up to $1,053 per year | Covers some school-related unexpected expenses |
| School Term Allowance | Secondary students living at home: Up to $122.40 Secondary students living away from home: Up to $122.40 If you are a primary student: Up to $61.20 | Especially to help secondary students who live away from their homes in Australia |
| Fares Allowance | If you use a private vehicle: Up to $200 | Helps to manage travel expenses for educational purposes |
| Relocation Allowance | Only if you are more than 16 years old and living away from home: When you move to the metropolitan area: Up to $2,843 per year When you move to a Regional or remote area: Up to $4,254 per year | You can get this paid when you need to move to study |
| Student Start-up Loan | Centrelink provides up to $1,303 twice a year | Paid by Centrelink twice a year for higher education |
| PES(Pensioner Education Supplement) | If you are a full-time student: Up to $67.50 If you are a part-time student: Up to $33.70 | When you are a Centrelink pensioner and while studying, you can claim this payment |
Can I get a $1,000 advance on my Centrelink student payments?
Yes, as Student Centrelink recipients, you can get Student Income Support Centrelink loans in Australia:
How do I apply for the Student Start-up Loan through Centrelink?
Before applying for Student Start-up loans through Centrelink in Australia, check the Eligibility for Centrelink financial aid for students:
How do you apply?
You can apply in 3 different ways for student start-up loans in Australia:
Apply online for the MyGov Centrelink student loan:
- Log in to your Centrelink-linked myGov account.
- Go to Centrelink > Payments and claims>Claim> Make claim.
- Select Student Start-up Loans quickly under the Student and Training tab.
- At the end, fill out the application and click on submit.
You can call Centrelink directly at 132 490 and request to apply for student start-up loans.
Visit a Service Centrelink in person and apply for a student start-up loan.
What are the payment dates for Student Start-up Loans from Centrelink?
You can get student start-up loans twice in a year from Centrelink in Australia.
Is there a Centrelink study allowance for students over 25?
Yes, a Centrelink student over 25 years old gets an Austudy payment, student loan allowance, and Student hardship funding from Centrelink in Australia. It depends on your situation how much you can get Centrelink loans for full-time university students in 2025.
| Situation | You’s maximum fortnightly payments from 1 January 2025 |
| If you are single with no children | $663.30 |
| If you are single with children | $836.60 |
| If you are a couple with no children | $663.30 |
| If you are a couple with children | $718.10 |
What financial help does Centrelink provide for mature-age students?
In Australia, Centrelink offers different types of Centrelink educational assistance programs that help to manage study expenses for mature-age students:
What’s the difference between a Student Start-up Loan and HECS-HELP?
| Feature | SSL(Student Start-Up) | HECS-HELP |
| Purpose of loan | It can cover general study costs like textbooks, equipment, or transport costs. | Depends on your course fee, but you can cover all or part of your course fee. |
| Amount of loan | Total paid $2,642 per year (twice in a year) | Depends on your course fee, but you can cover all or part of your course fee |
| Eligibility criteria | Getting Centrelink payments(Youth allowance, Austudy, or ABSTUDY Allowance) | You are a student of higher education and an Australian citizen |
| How can you access | Applied through Centrelink | Managed and offered through the university |
| Repayments | Repaid through the tax system once your income exceeds the threshold | Repaid via the HELP debt system when you earn over the income threshold |
| Application processes | Through Centrelink | Through your university |
| What you can cover | Living or studying costs | Tuition fees |
