Students need to check out the changes to Youth Allowance Eligibility
February 1, 2012
It took two tough years after a huge local campaign to get the Gillard Government to finally reinstate Youth Allowance for all eligible country students late last year.
Students from regional Australia are now eligible to apply for the allowance regardless of being in either the so called ‘outer’ or ‘inner’ regional zones.
“Many students from regional areas have it tough. Often they stop going to school and start working simply because of the financial strain put on them to get to Uni. They have to live away from home at a considerable expense. Many students and their parents simply find the costs too great,” said Dr Sharman Stone, Federal Member for Murray.
“Key changes to the scheme include scrapping the 30 hour a week work rule for inner regional students and applying the same criteria that applies to students from outer regional zones.
“For full-time students from inner regional zones to be considered independent for Youth Allowance, they are required to live away from home to study, and they must have a combined parental taxable income of less than $150,000.
“They must have also earned at least $20 000 in 18 months since leaving secondary school or worked part-time (at least 15 hours each week) for two years since leaving secondary school.
“Some of the other revised key criteria in the Youth Allowance scheme include lowering the age of independence to 22 years and raising the student’s personal income threshold from $200 to $436 a fortnight. There are also relocation scholarships and start up scholarships for those who are eligible.
“I advise all students applying for the allowance to carefully take note of the changes and to check their eligibility with Centrelink by ringing 132 490.
“For more information on Youth Allowance changes, please visit the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website: http://www.deewr.gov.au and please ring my office on (03) 5821 5371 or 1300 132 413 if you require assistance in understanding the changes, said Sharman Stone.
Media contact: Gaayathri Periasami 0417 148 110
There are currently no comments, be the first to post one.