Major changes to income support!

[Damo17]

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/individuals/changes_youth_allowance.htm
http://www.deewr.gov.au/HigherEducation/Programs/YouthAllowance/Pages/default.aspx

What does everyone think about this?

WOW, alot of money spent by the government on something actually worthwhile.
I personally think this is fantastic. The one thing that was stopping me from going to ANU this year is now not an issue anymore!  

[Gloamglozer]

Yeah, an extra $650 is quite nice considering uni textbooks are absolutely crazy if you decide to buy them new.

[superflya]

2nd link is dead. so whats happening?

[Damo17]

2nd link is dead. so whats happening?

both work for me, but here it is:

The Australian Government is changing student income support - Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY - to create a fairer system for more students and to ensure increased support for those who need it most. Legislation to give effect to the reforms to student income support was passed by the Parliament on 18 March 2010 and the first of the reforms will come into effect from 1 April 2010.

The changes will particularly benefit students from low socio economic backgrounds and students who have to move away from home to study, including rural and regional students. The changes support the Government’s target that by 2025, 40 per cent of 25 to 34-year-olds will hold a bachelor degree or higher and give more people a chance to participate in higher education.

More students will be eligible for Youth Allowance

Parental Income threshold raised

From 1 July 2010, the Parental Income Test threshold for students to receive the maximum rate of Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY will increase from the current $33 300 to $44,165. This means that more students will be entitled to Youth Allowance and many students already on Youth Allowance will receive more support.

For example, the parental income cut-out point for a family with two children aged 18 and 20 at home will increase from around $63 000 to over $108 000 and the cut-out point for a family with two children aged 18 and 20 and living away from home will increase from around $80 000 to over $142 000.

Age of Independence lowered

The age of independence will reduce from 25 to 22 years, meaning more students will be eligible for Youth Allowance. This will be phased in, so that the age of independence will reduce to 24 years from 1 April 2010, 23 years from 1 January 2011 and 22 years from 1 January 2012.

Personal Income Test threshold raised

The personal income threshold will rise from $236 to $400 per fortnight so that students receiving support will be able earn up to $400 per fortnight without having their payments reduced.

From 1 July 2012, students receiving support will be able to retain more of their student income support payments.

Support for Masters Students

From 1 January 2012, students enrolled in all masters by coursework programs will be eligible to apply for Youth Allowance.

More students will receive scholarships

Student Start-up Scholarship

All university students receiving student income support will receive a Student Start-up Scholarship for each year of their course. In 2010 this will be valued at $1300 increasing to over $2128 in 2011.

Relocation Scholarship

Eligible university students receiving student income support who have to relocate to study will receive a Relocation Scholarship of $4000 in the first year and $1000 in subsequent years to assist with the costs of establishing accommodation.

Increased support for the students who need it the most

[Visionz]

Startup scholarship 2011 = my new laptop?

[Gloamglozer]

Startup scholarship 2011 = my new laptop?

It's handy with that sort of stuff, isn't?  Even more so with textbooks, monthly metcards (if applicable), exercise books, stationery, etc.

[Fyrefly]

Yay, more handouts!
Better save it up now, then run off to Japan so I can't get it all taxed back off me in 10 years.

In fairness though, income thresholds are really low... I've gotten a grand total of $1.01 from Centrelink since the start of this year.
I don't rely on Centrelink, but I can understand how difficult it must be for some students to get by on what Centrelink provides them... part-time work is pretty much mandatory if you don't want to eat instant noodles every day.

[schmalex]

 "the cut-out point for a family with two children aged 18 and 20 and living away from home will increase from around $80 000 to over $142 000"

what the feck does this mean?

[/0]

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/individuals/changes_youth_allowance.htm
http://www.deewr.gov.au/HigherEducation/Programs/YouthAllowance/Pages/default.aspx

What does everyone think about this?

WOW, alot of money spent by the government on something actually worthwhile.
I personally think this is fantastic. The one thing that was stopping me from going to ANU this year is now not an issue anymore! 

So are you coming to ANU?

[Damo17]

So are you coming to ANU?

Yep