In focus
Current news and headlines from the Department of Human Services, including Centrelink, Child Support and Medicare news.
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Jobs and Skills Expos
A series of Jobs and Skills Expos will be held across Australia as part of the Australian Government’s Building Australia’s Future Workforce package.
The Expos will provide you with information about real jobs now and into the future. You can also find out about training and gaining new skills to increase your chances of finding a job.
If you're a jobseeker, looking to change career paths, or just interested in finding out about opportunities in your region, come along to an upcoming Jobs and Skills Expo. You’ll get the chance to meet with employers, education and training providers, government agencies and community groups.
There'll be special guests, entertainment, giveaways, a free sausage sizzle and more. Centrelink Financial Information Service will be available throughout the day.
For enquiries regarding becoming an exhibitor at an Expo, please call the Business Hotline on 13 1158.
More information
Changes to Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY
Family Tax Benefit, Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY changed on 1 January.
On 1 January 2012 the following changes occurred:
Family Tax Benefit Part A is the main payment for full-time secondary students aged 16 to 17 years. These students will be able to apply for Youth Allowance from their 18th birthday.
Youth Allowance is still available at age 16 (or 15 in certain circumstances) for full-time secondary students who are independent or who need to live away from home to study.
The age of independence for people claiming Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY was lowered to 22 years of age.
Changes to independence for students from Inner Regional Australia
Students from areas classified as Inner Regional Australia are able to access the self-supporting independence conditions that, in 2011, applied only to students from Outer Regional Australia, Remote Australia and Very Remote Australia areas.
Changes to the Relocation Scholarship
Higher education students from areas classified as Regional Australia or Remote Australia are able to receive a higher amount of the Relocation Scholarship in the second and third years that they need to live away from home to study.
Changes to the Student Start-up Scholarship
The amount of the Student Start-up Scholarship was adjusted to $1025 per half yearly instalment (a total of $2050 in 2012).
From 1 July 2012 the following changes apply:
Student Personal Income Test
The amount a Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY or Austudy student or Australian Apprentice can earn each fortnight without reducing their payment will increase from $236 to $400.
The student income bank limit will also increase from $6,000 to $10,000.
More information
- Centrelink website - Changes to Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY
Supporting Families with Teenagers
On 1 January 2012, Family Tax Benefit and Youth Allowance changed under the supporting families with teenagers measure.
Family Tax Benefit Part A increased for dependent 16 to 19 year olds who are undertaking full-time secondary study.
After 1 January 2012, young persons aged 16-17 years old, dependent, living at home and still in full-time secondary study will generally not be able to start to receive Youth Allowance.
More information
- Centrelink website – Supporting families with teenagers
Have your say on speechbubble
speechbubble will be open for comment from today, Tuesday 7 February, until Friday 17 February to seek your feedback on how we can make the Human Services website easier for you to use and better meet your needs.
There are several discussion topics as well as a short online survey for you to complete. We would love to hear your comments and insights to understand how we can improve the website so that you get more benefit out of using it.
By 1 July 2012, the Human Services website will be the single website for you to access information about all of the services we provide, including Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support services.
Everyone is encouraged to participate. The information you provide will help shape the ongoing development, design and functionality of the Human Services website.
More information
DonateLife Week 19-26 February 2012
Do you know if your loved ones want to be an organ and tissue donor?
Sunday 19 to Sunday 26 February 2012 is DonateLife Week – a great reason to ask and know your loved ones' donation wishes.
Decide and register your donation decision on the Australian Organ Donor Register and make sure your loved ones also know your wishes.
More information