The Australian Government recently finalised arrangements to Youth Allowance eligibility which will make it more accessible for more young Australians.  Many Lattitude volunteers return from their placement and apply for Youth Allowance through Centrelink to support their tertiary studies.  To assist with these applications, Lattitude can provide volunteers with documentation from their placement that Centrelink will consider as part of the eligibility assessment.

Many of our volunteers apply for the Independent Youth Allowance, which does not include parental income as part of the assessment process.  The key criteria used to assess eligibility in these cases is determined by where you come from in Australia.

  • Major City – if you’re from a metropolitan area you may be considered independent if you meet certain criteria and have worked an average of 30 hours per week for at least 18 months during a two year period.
  • Other areas – if you’re from an Inner Regional, Outer Regional, Remote or Very Remote Area you may be considered independent if you meet certain criteria and have earned a defined amount of money over 18 months (ie 75% of Wage Level A of the National Training Schedule which is currently $21,009).

This map shows which areas of Australia fall into which categories:

Centrelink have confirmed that hours worked or income earned in-kind from a Lattitude placement in Australia or overseas may be included as part of an application for Youth Allowance.  We can provide the following documents to volunteers intending to apply:

  • Certificate of Hours Worked – this is a certificate signed by the volunteer’s supervisor in-country upon completion of the placement which confirms the total number of hours worked.  These hours may be included as part of the average hours worked during a two year period.  Volunteers including a Certificate of Hours Worked may also require a Statement of Earnings which can be provided as well.
  • Statement of Earnings – this statement includes a dollar amount for the income earned in-kind through accommodation and food provided by the placement host in-country, plus any pocket money earned.  This amount may be included as part of the tally of income earned during an 18-month period.

Eligibility for Youth Allowance is solely assessed at the discretion of Centrelink.  For further information about how to apply see www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/youth_allow.htm

For further information about the changes recently implemented by the Australian Government to student income support see www.deewr.gov.au/HigherEducation/Programs/YouthAllowance/Pages/default.aspx

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