ABSTUDY

{{Short description|Australian government program}} {{use dmy dates|date=February 2022}} {{use Australian English|date=February 2022}} '''ABSTUDY''' is an Australian Government program that gives financial assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and apprentices who are less than 24 years old through fortnightly payments.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/abstudy-living-allowance |website=Services Australia |title=ABSTUDY Living Allowance |access-date=5 March 2021}}</ref>

The scheme was introduced in 1969 by the Liberal–National Gorton Government, as part of a commitment to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to attain better educational, social and economic outcomes, and in response to low participation of Indigenous Australians in higher education.<ref>[https://ieba.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IEBA-Workshop-Factsheet-1-Background-to-ABSTUDY.pdf Background to Abstudy]; Australian Government Department of Social Services</ref>

{{as of|March 2021}}, the basic under-22 allowance for ABSTUDY allowance is {{AUD|445.80}} per fortnight, and over-22 is {{AUD|545.80}} per fortnight.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vinnies.org.au/page/Publications/National/Factsheets_and_policy_briefings/Briefing_paper_Are_allowances_adequate/Student_Allowances_Youth_Allowance_Austudy_and_ABSTUDY_living_allowance_The_rates_and_extras/ |website=Vinnies |title=Are Allowances Adequate |access-date=5 March 2021}}</ref>

==See also== *Austudy Payment, Australian Government social security payment for students, paid under the ''Social Security Act 1991''

== References == {{reflist}} Category:Welfare in Australia