Some apprenticeships mean staying close to home. Others mean chasing the work — a regional placement, a specific employer three hours away, or just wanting your own space while you’re earning apprentice money. Whatever the reason, moving out while you’re on a training wage is a genuinely different financial situation to moving out on a full tradesperson’s pay, and it pays to go in with eyes open.
The core problem is timing: rent, bond and set-up costs all land upfront, right when your income is at its lowest point in the whole apprenticeship. There are schemes built specifically for this gap, but they’re not automatic and not always well known.
This guide covers the Living Away From Home Allowance, state-based bond assistance schemes, the reality of share housing, regional considerations, and how Youth Allowance fits (or doesn’t) alongside the other options.
The short version (TL;DR)
- The Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA) is a payment specifically for apprentices who’ve had to move away from home for their training — it steps down over three years and isn’t compatible with Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY.
- Most states run a bond loan or bond assistance scheme to help with the upfront cost of a rental bond — eligibility usually depends on income and circumstances, so check your state’s actual criteria rather than assuming.
- Share housing is often the realistic option on apprentice money — it splits bond, rent and bills, but it comes with its own legal and practical considerations.
- Regional placements can mean extra costs (fuel, distance from family) but sometimes also extra support, depending on the employer and the specific apprenticeship.
- Youth Allowance and LAFHA generally can’t be received at the same time — which one suits you depends on your individual circumstances.
The Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA)
LAFHA is aimed at apprentices in their first three years of training who need to live away from their parents’ or guardian’s home to start or continue their apprenticeship — including situations where you need extra on-the-job training with a different employer, or you’re facing homelessness while doing your apprenticeship. As at 1 July 2026, the allowance is paid in three declining tiers: $125.52 a week for the first 12 months, $94.14 a week for the second 12 months, and $47.07 a week for the third 12 months.
A few eligibility points are worth knowing before you count on it: you generally can’t be receiving Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY at the same time, you can’t already be getting other rental or accommodation assistance, and you generally need to apply within three months of moving. It’s administered through Apprenticeship Support Australia providers rather than through your employer, so that’s where applications and eligibility checks actually happen.
State bond loans and rental assistance
Every state runs some version of help with the upfront cost of a rental bond, though the names, eligibility rules and amounts differ significantly, so treat the following as a starting point rather than a guarantee you’ll qualify.
- NSW — Rentstart Bond Loan. An interest-free loan that can cover up to 100% of a rental bond. It’s generally aimed at people who’d be eligible for social housing and who meet income and asset limits, with rent needing to be no more than around 50% of household gross weekly income. Applications go through Service NSW.
- Victoria — RentAssist Bond Loan. A similar no-interest bond loan program administered by Homes Victoria, aimed at people on low incomes moving into the private rental market.
- Queensland — Bond Loan. Run through the Department of Housing, this covers part or all of a rental bond for eligible low-income renters, alongside a separate rental grant option in some circumstances.
Because these schemes are means-tested and criteria change, the reliable move is to check your own state government housing website directly rather than relying on a general figure — what one apprentice qualifies for can be quite different from another, depending on income, family circumstances and the specific property.
Share housing: the realistic option for a lot of apprentices
On apprentice pay, a share house is often the most workable path into your own space, purely because it splits bond, weekly rent, power, internet and groceries across more than one income. A few practical things worth knowing before signing anything:
- Bond is usually held by your state’s rental bond authority, not the landlord directly — it should be lodged officially, not just handed over in cash.
- Being named on the lease (rather than subletting informally from someone who is) generally gives you clearer rights if something goes wrong.
- A written or at least clearly agreed arrangement between housemates on splitting bills avoids a lot of the arguments that sink share houses.
- Your state’s tenancy authority (like the Residential Tenancies Authority in Queensland or NSW Fair Trading) has free guides specifically on share housing and your rights as a tenant.
Regional placements and distance
If your apprenticeship takes you regional, the cost picture shifts again — often lower rent than a capital city, but potentially higher fuel and travel costs to get to and from home, and fewer options if a share house arrangement falls through. Some regional and remote apprenticeships come with additional support through the Australian Apprenticeships system specifically because of this, so it’s worth asking your Apprenticeship Support Australia provider directly what’s available for your specific location and trade, rather than assuming a city-based scheme applies the same way.
Where Youth Allowance fits in
Youth Allowance for apprentices is a separate Services Australia payment with its own eligibility rules around age, income and, in some cases, whether you’re considered independent of your parents. It generally isn’t paid at the same time as LAFHA, so if you might be eligible for both, it’s worth working out which one actually leaves you better off in your specific circumstances rather than assuming — Services Australia and your Apprenticeship Support Australia provider can both help you work through the comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get both LAFHA and Youth Allowance?
Generally no — they’re treated as alternative forms of support rather than payments you stack together. Which one applies, or suits you better, depends on your individual circumstances, so it’s worth checking with Services Australia and your Apprenticeship Support Australia provider before assuming either one.
Do I have to pay back a state bond loan?
Bond loans are generally structured as interest-free loans repaid over a set period (commonly by instalments over 12 to 36 months), not grants — though the exact repayment terms depend on your state and situation. Check the specific scheme’s terms before applying.
Is share housing legally different to renting on my own?
The legal position depends on whether you’re named on the lease or subletting from someone else who is. Being on the lease directly generally gives you clearer tenancy rights — your state’s tenancy authority has free resources specifically explaining share house arrangements.
What if I move away from home before I officially start my apprenticeship?
LAFHA eligibility generally depends on the timing of your move relative to your apprenticeship start — moving too far in advance can affect eligibility. Check the exact rules with your Apprenticeship Support Australia provider before making moving arrangements if you’re relying on LAFHA.
This guide is general information only — not financial, legal or health advice. Everyone’s situation is different. Use the official services and sources linked above, or talk to a qualified professional. Information correct as at July 2026.
Official sources: Australian Apprenticeships — Financial support for apprentices, NSW Department of Education — Living Away From Home Allowance, Service NSW — Rentstart Bond Loan, Homes Victoria — RentAssist Bond Loan, Queensland Government — Bond loans and rental grants, Services Australia — Youth Allowance for students and Australian Apprentices.