Austudy ? Youth Allowance?

LÃ³s Kasinoâ€” · Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:01 pm

yea theres that proving your independance b/s !! if ur earning over $250 a fortnight (legit) then forget about youth allowence.

mrj · Post by **mrj** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:01 pm

Could have changed from my time but my understanding you either have to prove independence from your parents by either

- moving out of home
- earning over a certain amount per annum

something like that anyheeew

B0mBjAcK · Post by **B0mBjAcK** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:10 pm

I'd rather kill myself than have to go through their BS again. But I wasn't working and was getting the new start allowance, free money for a short period of time and you dont have to do shit for it for a few months. Dunno if it's changed or not. You could prob maybe get the new start allowance.

Last time I tried to get any help I found a job quicker than I got any form of help from CL, they are a bunch of fckn monkeys, you could prob find a job easier I know I found it easier to get a job than get any help from the local zoo otherwise known as Centrelink.

kween · Post by **kween** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:24 pm

You'll get more if you're classed as independent and you'll also get rent assistance if you're living out of home.

I'm 23 and it's still called Youth Allowance.

I've been through it all, in my second year of TAFE now.

You can work but like it was said above, you can only earn a max of $236 a fortnight or something like that.

SoulWhiteMan · Post by **SoulWhiteMan** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:43 pm

Citizen Smif wrote:How does it work?

By Febuary 2007 I want to
a) be starting my second year of TAFE (or finish my Degree at Uni)
b) move out of home and be living inner City (by myself or shared etc)

Can I claim anything as as Full Time student? Im 20 now and will be 21 by then.

Whats the go...anyone have any experience or help?

Would be extremely thankful - cheers.

you can claim full time student, provided that your degree is full time. As other have siad, what you get paid comes down to your "dependency" status; and if you can prove you are "independent" -- earning more than 18,000,000 in an 18 month period; then you can claim independent status.

But don't get your hopes up; FT study, independent, and 22 years of age, all i got was 230 a fortnight from the government.

Guess that's why i'm a concretor's labourer 4 days a week.

killeye · Post by **killeye** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:54 pm

A tip: If ya do end up getting money from them, be really really careful about updating what you earn/study & work situations etc....in my work i deal with Family Assistance (child care etc etc) and its so easy to get over paid....also make sure you ask about a health care card!

exploited · Post by **exploited** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 9:14 pm

you may be eligible even if you are still dependent, but your parents will have to be means tested; if they earn over a certain amount then you wont be eligible for it unless you're considered independent (which in 2001 meant having earned roughly 15k in ANY 18 month period).

you can get rent assistance if you can prove your journey to uni/tafe from your parental home would have taken more than 1 and a half hours on public transport (shouldn't be a problem for someone from Narre Warren, my dad lives there and its a fucking nightmare) not sure whether this is only applicable if you already get youth allowance or is a seperate payment. again, this is from 2001, not sure if any changes have been made.

Once your in the city cash in hand work in restaurants etc is relatively easy to find so if you dont mind defrauding the government you can usually make enough to survive...just.

if you manage to get youth allowance and rent assistance it should be enough to cover rent, bills, transport and maybe a loaf of bread per week, any other eating/drinking will need to be from money earned but it can be done.

good luck, BOmBjAcK is right, they're a stupid bunch of cunts but if you know what you're talking about you'll eventually get something out of them..

RMHC · Post by **RMHC** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 10:38 pm

*catalyst · Post by *catalyst » Wed Aug 02, 2006 12:18 am

I used to work in youth and students at centrelink.

75% of the commonwealth training award in 18 months away from parental/guardian home = more or less independant.

Call up, get forms.

-lachie

deviant · Post by **deviant** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 12:21 am

centrelink suck nuts...

that is all

CoB · Post by **CoB** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 12:23 am

T I C K A wrote:yea theres that proving your independance b/s !! if ur earning over $250 a fortnight (legit) then forget about youth allowence.

yeah.. this is what got me!
I am not living at home..
I am doing a traineeship.. but I can't get youth allowence (which other people doing the same traineeship are getting) because I am not declared independant..
it's not so bad.. I live well enough on the money i make.. but yeah.. would be nice to have an extra hundred bucks a week!

(although i could get my folks to sign this thing saying im no longer allowed to live in their house.. but *shrugs* im lazy)

Cubist · Post by **Cubist** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 12:44 am

I got it throughout uni, except in my last year. Honestly, ur going to say "shut up Eden!" but ur better off working a few days a week than going through all the paperwork etc Centrelink requires. It's impossible to survive on YA and if you work more than a few hours a week they take it off you.

It's a lot of stuffing around for a little amount. Ur better off working and being free from the headaches.

deviant · Post by **deviant** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 10:41 am

Cubist wrote:I got it throughout uni, except in my last year. Honestly, ur going to say "shut up Eden!" but ur better off working a few days a week than going through all the paperwork etc Centrelink requires. It's impossible to survive on YA and if you work more than a few hours a week they take it off you.

It's a lot of stuffing around for a little amount. Ur better off working and being free from the headaches.

unsoundbwoy · Post by **unsoundbwoy** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 12:09 pm

Cubist wrote:I got it throughout uni, except in my last year. Honestly, ur going to say "shut up Eden!" but ur better off working a few days a week than going through all the paperwork etc Centrelink requires. It's impossible to survive on YA and if you work more than a few hours a week they take it off you.

It's a lot of stuffing around for a little amount. Ur better off working and being free from the headaches.

i got screwed around enough that i just gave upafter a few years and worked an extra day, but if you work full time then studies definitely suffer. one year i managed a scholarship, maybe u should look at that too

Lizkins · Post by **Lizkins** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 12:28 pm

unsoundbwoy wrote:
Cubist wrote:I got it throughout uni, except in my last year. Honestly, ur going to say "shut up Eden!" but ur better off working a few days a week than going through all the paperwork etc Centrelink requires. It's impossible to survive on YA and if you work more than a few hours a week they take it off you.

It's a lot of stuffing around for a little amount. Ur better off working and being free from the headaches.
i got screwed around enough that i just gave upafter a few years and worked an extra day, but if you work full time then studies definitely suffer. one year i managed a scholarship, maybe u should look at that too

true that, hence why i had to quit uni. something had to give (but then again working 7 days, uni 4 days and partying 4 days - guess it makes sense that something would give). it was either being able to afford to live and stay off the streets, or get an education....i chose life!

when i was doing the rent assistance and youth allowance - it wasn't much, just paid for rent and bills (just!); i ate cheese on toast for ages (got sick a lot) and this with "side-line" jobs that paid for party supplies on the weekends.

gaz · Post by **gaz** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 12:33 pm

SoulWhiteMan wrote:earning more than 18,000,000 in an 18 month period; then you can claim independent status.

18 mil? no thanks!

I am on the YA, being a full time student i can say its great. Although i did take a year off before uni to work a horrible job for the cheddar i needed to claim independence. Its good now i dont have to worry about working, just uni. But yeah i agree Centrelink are carnts.

Ag3nT[]0raNg3 · Post by **Ag3nT[]0raNg3** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 12:37 pm

damn governments never given me shit!

ARSE!

FECK!!

what is YA like $200 a fourtnight?? u will be living pairly poorly.

better off workin in a bar or summat.

unsoundbwoy · Post by **unsoundbwoy** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 12:40 pm

like 200 a week including rent assist
was 360 a fortnight like 4 years ago

Ag3nT[]0raNg3 · Post by **Ag3nT[]0raNg3** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 12:42 pm

haha. shows how much i kno!!

i was never able to get any sort of assistance ever from the government.

now they take half my money every year.

so awesome.

Rob M · Post by **Rob M** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 3:39 pm

^^ naw that's just GST hitting you everytime you try and keep up with the jones'

deviant · Post by **deviant** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 3:46 pm

I did actually get youth allowance for the three years I was at uni.

I had a job too. I was a little dodgy with my declaration of income (didn't tell them about cash in hand etc etc). I even scammed their fax number and faxed my fortnightly form to them every time (they have a strict policy against this unless you are dissabled).

All in all I played the system right and got what I wanted. But, it was a pain in the arse at times and I did acumulate around $5K worth of credit card debt over those 3 years.

Being on unemployment benefits (which I was for a few months at the end of last year) was HORRIBLE in proportion to youth allowance.

C.I.A. · Post by **C.I.A.** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 3:50 pm

Ag3nT[]0raNg3 wrote:damn governments never given me shit!

ARSE!

FECK!!

what is YA like $200 a fourtnight?? u will be living pairly poorly.

better off workin in a bar or summat.

GIRRRLS

DRINK

Was a student for 11 years.
Good luck smif. What you going to study???

C.I.A. · Post by **C.I.A.** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 3:55 pm

Wos lowed to klaim independent status, but got skolarchips, so the govenment said "you carnt have both". i wos still livin on tax munney, tho.

I am payink it bak now via tacks.

sort ov.

deviant · Post by **deviant** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 3:58 pm

HECS sux too.... I've always taken home much less money per week than my uneducated collegues

mrj · Post by **mrj** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 3:59 pm

deviant wrote:I did actually get youth allowance for the three years I was at uni.

I had a job too. I was a little dodgy with my declaration of income (didn't tell them about cash in hand etc etc). I even scammed their fax number and faxed my fortnightly form to them every time (they have a strict policy against this unless you are dissabled).

All in all I played the system right and got what I wanted. But, it was a pain in the arse at times and I did acumulate around $5K worth of credit card debt over those 3 years.

Being on unemployment benefits (which I was for a few months at the end of last year) was HORRIBLE in proportion to youth allowance.

New start is not much fun. Youth allowance was better but also not much fun.

I always declared every cent of my income, but thats only because I have seen it bite other people on their arse a few years later when there is discrepancies in tax returns etc.

Thats more a personal thing, I tend to be quite risk averse when it comes to that sort of bizzo (although interestingly have absoloutley no problem putting my body and brain through extreme punishment without even pausing for consideration).

I can totally see why people do the whole cash in hand and not declare it to centrelink thing. I didn't take that course of action personally, but I think the government makes things so incredibely difficult for students there really is no other option for a lot of people.

I was lucky enough to have a uni (albeit a rather crappy one) 15 mintues walk from my parents house. Most others are not so lucky.

deviant · Post by **deviant** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 4:02 pm

I had to move to Victoria to study.... was expensive. I had savings but they didn't last long. Living over here I found to be almost twice as expensive as living in Tassie. I was paying $40 per week rent in 1999 ffs

SoulWhiteMan · Post by **SoulWhiteMan** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 8:25 pm

C.I.A. wrote:Wos lowed to klaim independent status, but got skolarchips, so the govenment said "you carnt have both". i wos still livin on tax munney, tho.

I am payink it bak now via tacks.

sort ov.

shoulda gone and done worked in a fish and chip shop darlz

nic · Post by **nic** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:29 am

"you carnt have both"
tax slip.

marcus · Post by **marcus** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:32 am

Citizen Smif wrote:How do you prove your independent?
Payslips over an 18month period?
Or Group certificates?

Yep you can use either. Or a letter from your employer saying you earnt that much over the period (that's what I did.)

unsoundbwoy · Post by **unsoundbwoy** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:26 pm

pretty damn sure you cant

Amick · Post by **Amick** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 3:34 am

Juat work while your studying, free money from Centrelink is a joke.

Just work behind bar when you have free time.

Government gives you sweet FA.

nic · Post by **nic** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:43 am

no way its def worth getting. you owe it to yourself to extract as much as you can from the sshhhhssyytem.

Amick · Post by **Amick** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 11:26 am

thats the Australian way!

Scholtzy · Post by **Scholtzy** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 5:13 pm

Such a joke imo.

Applied well over a month ago, haven't heard anything. Try calling them and the number doesn't even ring.

I meet all the criteria, worked last year, earned over 18k, in full time study this year.

With the $236 limit it just seems easier to work more, If I were to work another 6 hours p/ week than I am currently, I would be in the same situation as if I stayed below the threshold and got the full payment amount, and I'm not even working that much!

I'll take it if I can get it, but I reckon I'll spend 6 hours a week working around centrelink administration anyway.

What a waste of time.

/vent

autumnleaves · Post by **autumnleaves** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 5:57 pm

It's definitely worth jumping through the hoops for. The only people I know who had a hard time of it either
a. didn't know how to get it started properly
b. didn't keep updating them regularly

basically, a. is quite easily done. just scrape together all your proof of earnings, then (here is the catch that not many other people I know did), highlight all the totals, type up another piece of paper with a list of all the different jobs, descriptions, dates and totals earnt, then give it a nice big total at the end which will hopefully end up over 18,000. You seriously have to make it as EASY as possible for them to approve you, they see so many people who aren't organised and if you don't make that extra effort you will feel the pain. in your interview, go through all your evidence, make sure they check all your forms, make sure 100% that they are satisfied. if they are not, fix what they suggest, preferably go back to the same person, and do it again.

I'm not going to endorse fraud, but I've heard of a couple of people just getting people with businesses that they knew to make false statements saying they earnt a certain amount working there. the problem with this though is that you actually have to declare it and pay tax on it, but in the long run it's probably worth it if you are short of the 18,000. luckily I earnt heaps trying to get to Europe for a year, so all that went into my 18,000. I believe you can use money earnt overseas too to count to it.

b. is pretty easy too, when I had youth allowance there was an online form that you basicaly just registered your employer's details and then every fortnight you logged on, said how much you earnt, then got your cash. I'm sure they prob still have that. just do tell them when your situation changes, otherwise you could be like my unfortunate friend who "forgot" to tell them when he stopped studying, and now owes them $5000. bummer.

youth allowance is amazing. you can't live like a king by any means, but I lived in an inner city sharehouse, ate reasonably well, went out and partied every two weeks and had enough money for cheap booze most nights just through youth allowance and working 1 or 2 days a week. it got me through uni, that's for sure.

autumnleaves · Post by **autumnleaves** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 6:07 pm

Scholtzy wrote:Such a joke imo.

Applied well over a month ago, haven't heard anything. Try calling them and the number doesn't even ring.

I meet all the criteria, worked last year, earned over 18k, in full time study this year.

With the $236 limit it just seems easier to work more, If I were to work another 6 hours p/ week than I am currently, I would be in the same situation as if I stayed below the threshold and got the full payment amount, and I'm not even working that much!

I'll take it if I can get it, but I reckon I'll spend 6 hours a week working around centrelink administration anyway.

What a waste of time.

/vent

did you get an appointment with them to go in and go through your application? when I applied I'm pretty sure it was mandatory. you might want to check this out, it's seriously worth it. if you lose your job or something you can still eat.

Sociopathic · Post by **Sociopathic** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:03 pm

Autumn is right.

You have to have a face to face appointment with them in order to get into youth allowace/austudy (depending on your age).

The $263 from memory is how much you can earn before they start taking money off your youth allowance, for the first x amount of dollars after that you loose 50cents per dollar you earn then after that you loose $1 per $1 you earn, so you can end up not too bad. best way to work it is try and get a job where your boss is willing to give you cash pay as well that way you don't have to delcare it at all

.

Youth allowance number when i was studying was a joke, I used to ring the Abstudy line and get transfered across cause it was the only line I could ever get through on.

Just explain look I can't get through on the youth allowance line it keeps disconecting me can you please transfer me to youth allowance, they're usually pretty cool in the call centers.

Sustain · Post by **Sustain** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:24 pm

1. you don't necessarily need an appointment: the rules at centrelink depend on who ur talkin to.. they're flexible
2. you will probably get knocked back the first time even if you fit the criteria. this is a deliberate policy to make you give up, and thus spend less govt money on welfare
3. do not lie to them, unless there is absolutely no way you can ever get busted for it. it's not worth incurring massive debts and they will make you repay it
4. like any bureaucracy, keep asking the same question to different people untill you get the answer you want.. with persistence it will happen!!

don't give up mang you can do it run scholtzy run

autumnleaves · Post by **autumnleaves** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:35 pm

what reasons do they give for knocking you back if you fit the criteria? I don't see how they could as long as you have clearly shown you fit the criteria.

I really don't want people who are eligible to miss out, you're going to be paying taxes for the rest of your life, and support while you are studying is the time when you'll probably need it most! A few hours effort will give your three years of support.

amzie · Post by **amzie** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 11:00 pm

What I do and its a pain in the ass. Is dial the number hang up, over and over till I get through. (Thank goodness I can report my earnings online).

And never try on Fridays, Mondays are usually pretty bad too as is lunch time on any given day. Getting on anything centrelink wise tends to take at least a month in my experience and persistance is the key.

Some people who work in Centrelink are gold, and will push things through a little faster or overlook that you dont quite have all the correct paperwork, but its pure luck in getting one!

I think the whole process took me about two months when I moved to Melbourne.

quick · Post by **quick** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 2:42 am

GET A JOB FARKEN!!!

Scholtzy · Post by **Scholtzy** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 2:42 pm

Cool. Thanks for the advice guys.

When I initially applied I forgot a pay g statement so I got knocked back. I have since handed in the additional one at a branch, so hopefully its all good. But because I haven't heard from them I wouldn't be surprised if my application is still declined.

Do they usually mail / call you if its been approved? And how long does it take them??

It took them 3 days to decline my initial application lol. They seem to be efficient at not giving out money at least.

At least it connected when I called this morning. Gave up after 25 mins on hold tho, cant afford that shit on mobile.

afaik you don't need an appointment....

Polecat · Post by **Polecat** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 2:51 pm

When I got Austudy (back in the day) they gave me $7 a fortnight. I was one of 5 kids at home with a Dad who worked full time and we weren't rich. I agreed with my parents when they said "don't bother". Luckily I lived at home until I got a scholarship. This govt should do more for students. Instead they give out plasma TV money. Same old same old.

same o · Post by **same o** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 3:29 pm

Polecat wrote:When I got Austudy (back in the day) they gave me $7 a fortnight. I was one of 5 kids at home with a Dad who worked full time and we weren't rich. I agreed with my parents when they said "don't bother". Luckily I lived at home until I got a scholarship. This govt should do more for students. Instead they give out plasma TV money. Same old same old.

but i want a plasma.. well lcd ny ways

Scholtzy · Post by **Scholtzy** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 4:09 pm

Its so good to see Australians coming together to support china / japan through these tough economic times!

same o · Post by **same o** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 4:28 pm

money comes back to us in coal buying tho...

we dont buy there tv's then they dont have demand for our coal cuz they dont need as much power.

science really.

well thats my rationalising of me wanting a tv..

lolz

Sustain · Post by **Sustain** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 4:34 pm

just make sure that if you do get rejected reapply straight away. this may happen three times. as i said it's a deliberate policy (as well as them being incompetent bastards)

if you get knocked back for ten weeks then get approved, you will get ten weeks backpay 'from your first date of contact' (likely to be 5 X $360)

Scholtzy · Post by **Scholtzy** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 4:37 pm

Cha ching!

Mysty · Post by **Mysty** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:55 am

Scholtzy wrote:Such a joke imo.

With the $236 limit it just seems easier to work more, If I were to work another 6 hours p/ week than I am currently, I would be in the same situation as if I stayed below the threshold and got the full payment amount, and I'm not even working that much!

haha its so true..... i have been wondering the same thing the last few months

im starting to wonder if the $3k ive paid to immigration to apply for residency, so i can qualify for Austudy/Youth allowance, has been worth it..... (not to mention all the taxes ive paid the last 4 years)

im already into my second year of study .....with the economic crisis looks like ill never be approved
and i could have used that $3k to pay for a semester fees!

ive been working this whole time and have started to regret even bothering applying , i think the allowance is only a measly $200 per week - which just covers rent - but not bills, food, uni fees, records (the necessities) though

i feel your pain scholtzy

i should stop complaining - nobody likes an immigrant who complains - they need to go back to where they came from

Sustain · Post by **Sustain** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:17 pm

^^with rent assistance you'd get about 11,000 per annum. worth it

Melbourne Beats

Austudy ? Youth Allowance?

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