ICPA (Aust) advocate for the Federal Government to establish a rural and remote rent assistance program for university students that is independent of parental income and supports them while they study full-time.
Currently, university students in Australia can access rent assistance through Centrelink, but eligibility often depends on age and parental income. Students under 22 are typically considered dependent and must meet specific criteria to qualify for rent assistance. For instance, to be deemed independent, a student must be 22 years or older, or under 22 and meet certain conditions such as living away from home due to study requirements or extreme circumstances.
The maximum fortnightly Youth Allowance for a single student living away from home is $663.30, with an additional $149.00 per fortnight available through Rent Assistance, provided the student pays more than the minimum rent threshold . However, these amounts often fall short of covering the full cost of living away from home, especially moving from rural and remote areas where housing costs can be higher.
Many students, particularly those from rural and remote areas, face challenges in establishing independent living arrangements due to financial constraints. The current system's reliance on parental income for students under 22 can be a barrier, as it may not accurately reflect the student's financial independence or the cost of living in their specific circumstances.
Given these challenges, there is a strong case for the establishment of a dedicated rent assistance program for rural and remote university students. Such a program would provide financial support independent of parental income, helping students establish themselves independently and pursue their studies without the added stress of financial insecurity.
