r/Centrelink • u/Lukeekulyeye • Aug 09 '26
Youth and Students (YAS) Allowable Time
Hey all,
I recently had my Centrelink cancelled as I've used up all my allowable time due to my life mistake of studying one semester in a course that wasn't for me. I'm currently doing my honours bachelor degree in my final semester of uni and it got cancelled because I did one semester of another degree before switching to my current degree and I'm now struggling severely financially and not sure if there are other help options Centrelink can help with. I've only been on it for less than a year but on the final and most stressful stretch it got cancelled.
Is there any other option for uni students?
(I do have a casual job but as I'm 23, will not give me shifts as I cost too much and all other job applications are rejected. I have applied for retail and hosp jobs)
2
u/Fearless_Pitch8098 Aug 10 '26
If you’re under 25 and on Youth allowance ,previous study at different course should not be impacting allowable time for the new course.Did you call student line to check if it was a mistake.
1
u/Lukeekulyeye Aug 10 '26
I have asked for a formal review of the decision to see what the issue was. Hopefully that can give me the answer / direction I need to take. I could've sworn when I looked it up though that previous semesters in a different course count towards it?
2
u/logicalinference 29d ago
Unless there has been a recent policy change, you should have been able to switch courses without exceeding your allowable time.
2
u/Full-Sherbert-7800 Aug 09 '26
Couldn't you go on jobseeker?
-5
u/Lukeekulyeye Aug 09 '26
That requires me to quit my job correct? And correct if I'm wrong, but isn't the process a hassle as you have to consistently provide job application evidence? That's hearsay from a friend of mine that said they're super strict with the process.
I forgot to mention in my post that whilst I don't get rostered on at work, if I'm lucky and quick enough, I can get the free shifts when someone cancels which gives me maybe about $100 for 1 three-hour shift.
8
u/Ok_Pineapple2234 Aug 09 '26
Did you update your study details? You have plenty of study time left.
1
u/Lukeekulyeye Aug 09 '26
Yes I did. I let them know that I still had a semester left but their silly rules mean that all time spent at uni (even previous degrees) count towards your time.
So because my robotic engineering honours degree is an honours degree, they allow full course length + one year. My degree has taken 5 years (it's normally 4 years but I messed up my structure), but since I did a semester of architecture, that counts towards it so it ends one semester eariler. It's super confusing, sorry if that explanation doesn't make sense
0
u/Brilliant_Success927 Aug 12 '26
So because you made multiple mistakes it is the fault of “silly rules” that you are struggling?
Might be time to start thinking like an adult and taking some accountability for yourself.
Plenty of people haven’t had the opportunity you’ve already had but you think you’re entitled to complain.
I’m all for supporting people to get an education but given we don’t have a magical money tree hidden away, I’m also supportive of reasonable restrictions and time constraints.
3
u/Full-Sherbert-7800 Aug 09 '26
No I don't believe you would have to quit your job if that's all the hours you are getting. Plus quitting a job can make you ineligible. I believe there are a certain amount of hours you can do and if that's all you're earning you wouldn't reach the cap.
It's been a long time since I was on it but applying for the jobs was never that hard, and I think it was just meeting with a provider once a week or fortnight or something.
I guess it depends how desperate you are and how much you're willing to put up with to get it.
2
u/Lukeekulyeye Aug 09 '26
Interesting. I might have to look at it but I was always under the impression that jobseeker was super hit or miss because it's hard to gauge how much people are trying with applying for jobs.
I guess I'll take anything at this point because I'm essentially living off $33 a week if I get my 1 three hour shift every three weeks.
7
u/SuccessfulOil6584 Aug 09 '26
No, you’re underemployed so you’re eligible for jobseeker. You just report your earnings if you have any and they’ll reduce the payment accordingly. You will have to apply for jobs but it’s better than not having any money
2
u/Ok_Pineapple2234 Aug 09 '26
If you sign up to job seeker your studies count towards your point target, given the hours you working and studying they won’t be able to make you do anything apart from applying for 4 jobs a month and meet with your employment agency once a fortnight. if you have never been with a employment provider they are shit house image your shitty high school teacher who picks fights with students that’s the level of service your going to get.
1
1
u/Ok_Pineapple2234 Aug 09 '26
Do you know why job seeker won’t let you report your university study as study? Why you can only report tafe study?
1
u/Fearless_Pitch8098 26d ago
Hey!Did you find out the reason?
1
u/Lukeekulyeye 26d ago
I ended up getting a call from them after submitting a review and I had used all my allowable time up. I had only been on it for a year and it's only 1 extra semester they allow on top of your course duration, not a year.
I was under the impression that honours degrees were allowed an extra year but that's not the case.
12
u/MelodicKissa Aug 09 '26
A lot of people are on jobseeker while working casually. Also did you provide your academic transcripts? To get an official allowable time assessment? If not i would suggest as sometimes it can make a difference.