our taiohi
youth service support young people aged 16 - 19
our taiohi
Youth Service provides support to:
- young people aged 16 to 17 (Youth Payment)
- young people aged 16 to 19, with a child (Young Parent Payment)
- young partner of a main beneficiary (aged 16 to 17)
- young parent partner of a main beneficiary (aged 16 to 19)
- young people identified as needing support Navigating Education, Employment or Training (NEET).
When young people are enrolled in Youth Service, general administration of the YP and YPP is managed by the Youth Service Support Unit (YSSU).
You manage face-to-face interaction, administration, and working with MSD to resolve issues.
youth payment
Youth Payment is for 16- and 17-year-old young people who:
- can’t live with their parents
- parents can’t support them financially, and
- are not responsible for any children.
We can accept 16- or 17-year-olds in a de facto relationship if they have a Family Court Judge consent for the de facto relationship.
For more information refer to MAP: Youth Payment.
young parent payment
Young Parent Payment is for 16 to 19 year old young parents who are raising a child and are either:
- Single, or
- Married, in a civil union, or in a de facto relationship, but not in a relationship with someone receiving another benefit from Work and Income.
If they are 16 or 17 years old, they must meet one of the following criteria:
- live with their parents, and their parents qualify for family tax credits, or
- cannot live with their parents or receive financial support from anyone.
We can accept 16 or 17 years old in a de facto relationship if they have the consent of a Family Court Judge for the de facto relationship.
For more information, refer to MAP: Young Parent Payment.
young partners and young parent partners
Young partners to a main beneficiary are identified as young people who are:
- aged 16 to 17 (with no dependent child or children) or
- aged 16 to 19 (with a dependent child or children)
Young partners and young parent partners will be referred to our Youth Service provider to meet their youth activity obligations.
Example: A couple is receiving the Jobseeker Support benefit. The primary recipient is 20 years of age, and the partner is 19 years of age. The 19 year old partner must participate in Youth Service and will be subject to youth activity obligations. However, their 20 year old partner will continue to engage with Work and Income.
The young partner can apply for some second and third-tier assistance through their Youth Service provider, e.g., GCAP and hardship assistance.
All other applications for assistance must be completed by their partner with Work and Income.
For more information on youth activity obligations for partners, refer to MAP: Youth activity obligations for young partners.
neet (not in education, employment or training)
Youth Service Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) is a voluntary service for 16 and 17 years old who need support in navigating education, employment, or training.
Some 15-year-olds may be eligible for the NEET service.
For more information, refer to the NEET section.