Accommodation benefit
As part of the Student Allowance, you may be able to get an Accommodation Benefit if you live away from the parental home while you study, or you live in a home provided or maintained by a parent (where the parent is not living) and pay market rent and/or the outgoings. If you have a partner your combined income must be less than $406.26 a week before tax.
On this page:
How much you can get
Students who are eligible for the Accommodation Benefit will generally receive the Accommodation Benefit rate for the region they live in while they are studying.
Students who are studying overseas on an approved exchange programme will receive the Accommodation Benefit rate for the region where their education provider is located.
Students who are studying extramurally will receive an Accommodation Benefit rate for the region where they live.
If you live in a hostel, how much you get may depend on the hostel you live in.
Here are some examples of what you may get each week from 1 January 2012:
| If you live in | If you're single with a child you'll get | otherwise you'll get |
| Auckland | $60.00 | $40.00 |
| Hamilton | $60.00 | $40.00 |
| Palmerston North | $51.00 | $34.00 |
| Wellington | $60.00 | $40.00 |
| Christchurch | $60.00 | $40.00 |
| Dunedin | $60.00 | $40.00 |
Accommodation Benefit rates are reviewed on 1 January each year.
How to get the Accommodation Benefit
You don't need to apply for the Accommodation Benefit. If you are eligible, this will be applied at the same time as we process your Student Allowance application.
Situations where you can't get the Accommodation Benefit
You won't get an Accommodation Benefit if you (or your partner) rent a property owned or managed by Housing New Zealand Corporation.
You may qualify for income-related rent instead. For more details contact your local Housing New Zealand Corporation Neighbourhood Unit. You'll find their number in your phone book.
