High school students taking a gap year could have access to youth allowance as soon as they start at uni, under a Coalition election pledge.
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Those taking one year off from study will no longer have wait 18 months to access financial assistance under the plan.
Wannon incumbent Dan Tehan was excited to announce the election promise.
“This is a very good change and one that is very important to this electorate,” he said.
“We’ve fought for a long time and it’s a huge victory for students here.”
Currently regional and remote students seeking financial help to study away from home can only qualify if they have been self-supporting for 18 months.
Mr Tehan said that meant some students were waiting more than two years to attend university.
“The problem is the longer you stay away from study the less likely you are to take it up again,” he said.
“It’s one of the main issues that was raised at a forum in Warrnambool last year.”
Mr Tehan said the $83 million investment would allow the government to change the qualifying criteria from 18 to 14 months.
South West Local Learning and Employment Network chief executive officer Toni Jenkins said the change would be a great benefit to young people.
“We know there’s a great inequity in provision and access to university and deferment is an issue,” she said.
“It’s a small step but it is very welcome.”
Additional Coalition promises include more scholarships for rural and regional students and an independent review to address tertiary achievement, aspiration and access.
Wannon Labor candidate Michael Barling said even though he welcomed any changes that helped kids get to uni, the promise fell short of south-west needs.
“Before we talk about gap years we need to tackle the 60 per cent university attainment rate in the region,” he said.
Mr Barling said he was cynical about a promise to reduce the 18-month wait period, when the coalition also intended to make it harder for students to earn the required income.
“Many students take gap years to save money so they can afford to study,” he said.
“Yet Mr Tehan has said he intends to remove penalty rates for working students.
“The ability to earn a reasonable income while studying is important too.”
