Changes to student allowance threshold welcomed

Press Release for Immediate Release
19 May 2005

Changes to student allowance threshold strongly welcomed

Changes to the student allowances personal income threshold and a new abatement regime will result in more students taking up allowances, and more students able to stay on in tertiary education.

Student Job Search strongly supported changes which mean that students will be able to earn up to $180 a week in part-time work without losing any allowance.

“There has been no change in the rates since the introduction of student allowances in 1991, and these changes are long over-due” said Student Job Search General Manager Dean Carroll.

Student Job Search particularly welcomed the removal of the harsh cliff-face abatement regime in which students who earnt one cent over the current threshold of $135.13 per week lost their entire student allowance.

“For many students they have been in the impossible position of either turning down work or losing their entire student allowance entitlement” said Student Job Search General Manager Dean Carroll, “The government’s “dollar-for dollar” abatement regime is both sensible and much much fairer for tertiary students “

“Part-time in-term work is now a feature of student life and many students need to work all year around to stay at university or polytechnic” Mr Carroll said. “The money students earn both in summer and during study is an important part of their overall income support.”

Student Job Search is a non profit organisation, which is funded by both student associations and government through the Ministry of Social Development, and provides a free service to both students and employers alike. “Students gained over $70 million dollars in the last twelve months through work obtained through Student Job Search” said Mr Carroll

ENDS

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