Eligibility for Transition to Independent Living Allowance

Leaving formal care 

If you are leaving or have already left formal care you may be eligible to receive the TILA. This payment helps you transition to independent living. You can be moving out to your own place or still living with your care family. 

Formal care is when a legal court order places you in out-of-home care or state care as you can no longer live in the family home. Formal care can include: 

• non-parent care 
• kinship care 
• residential care 
• community or other care in line with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Child. 

To be eligible for TILA you must: 

• be an Australian citizen or permanent Australian resident at the time of application for TILA 
• be aged between 15 and 25 years when applying 
• either have been in, or currently be in formal court ordered care 
• have left the care of the state or territory statutory department after the age of 15 years and was last in that department’s care for a continuous period of at least 6 months 
• have left or about to leave formal care (within twelve weeks of applying) 
• have a leaving care plan 
• not received the full amount of TILA assistance previously – you can only receive up to a total of $1,500. 

Unaccompanied Humanitarian Minors (UHM) are also eligible for TILA. 

The TILA – Guide for Young People will step you through the process of applying for TILA. 

The What can TILA be used for factsheet provides information on the different goods and services you can use TILA for. 

Leaving informal care 

Young people leaving informal care are not eligible for TILA. 

Informal care is when a young person is in the care and custody of someone who is not their parent. There is no court order in place. 

The informal carer of a young person is not typically reimbursed by the state/territory government. This does not include when a carer has declined a financial payment/reimbursement by the state/territory government for their care. 

Informal care includes informal out-of-home care such as: 

• in a refuge 
• being homeless 
• in supported accommodation 
• staying with friends/relatives not their parents. 

You might still be able to access other Australia Government or community-based support services to assist in your transition to adulthood and independence.