The Minister for Tertiary Education, Senator Chris Evans, can make the work rule fair for regional students trying to access independent youth allowance with the stroke of a pen.
The Coalition’s Regional Education spokesperson, Senator Nash, said some of the work requirements for students to prove they’re `independent’ were determined by the department and can therefore by changed without the need to legislate.
Regional students have to work an average 30 hours a week which can be done by either:
- Working at least 120 hours of work in each of 19 periods of 4 weeks, or
- Working at least 390 hours of work in each of 6 periods of 13 weeks, or
- Working at least 30 hours of work in each of 78 weeks (ie. 30 hours or more for 78 weeks)
But these work requirements are not specified in the legislation. The legislation simply refers to ‘full-time employment of on average 30 hours per week for at least 18 months during any period of 2 years’.
Senator Nash said many students are opting to work the 30 hours over 13 week blocks.
“And there are many cases that have been brought to my attention in which students don’t qualify for independent youth allowance because their hours fall just short for one or two of the 13 week blocks despite meeting or exceeding the average 30 hour a week requirement over the 18 month period,” she said.
“It is not fair to deny these students assistance when they have clearly and genuinely sought to meet the criteria. There must be some flexibility allowed in these circumstances.
“The Minister can and should direct his department to make the rules more flexible. I have written to him requesting this, and that these changes be made retrospective to all students who have had to meet the average 30 hour work rule to qualify for independent youth allowance.
“There is no excuse to wait, or hide behind the review that’s just been completed. The Minister must do the decent thing by regional students and fix it now.”
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