Search results

Youth Allowance (YA) is an income support scheme for students aged 16 to 24 years and jobseekers aged 16 to 21 years. The payment was introduced by the Australian government at the beginning of July 1998 to address concerns that previous income support arrangements for young people were inadequate and not supportive of young people to be in full-time education or training. The main objectives of YA are: to ensure that young people receive adequate income support whilst studying, seeking work, or preparing for work; to encourage young people to undertake further education and training to gain the skills required for long-term employment; and to encourage young people to take up a range of activities that will promote their entry into employment. The Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) has developed a comprehensive three-year evaluation strategy to assess the short- and medium-term impact of YA. The four main objectives of the evaluation are to determine: (a) how effectively YA has encouraged young people to participate in education or training thus increasing their opportunities in the labour market; (b) the extent to which education and training institutions have developed appropriate pathways for a wider range of young people than previously; (c) the impact of YA on young people and their families; and (d) whether the amalgamation of different payments into YA has produced significant benefits. This publication consists of three papers that summarise the main findings of surveys carried out as part of the evaluation. 'Youth Allowance and participation in education, training and work: results from the Youth Allowance Longitudinal Survey' by Phil Brown, Anne McConnell, Rebecca Muldoon, Stephen Lamb and Lyn Robinson (p. 3-27), analyses data collected as part of the Youth Allowance Longitudinal Survey and the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Youth (LSAY). It also examines YA customers' participation in education, training and employment in comparison to non-YA customers. 'Financial independence and Youth Allowance: young people's and parents' views' by Maria Luteria (p. 31-47), discusses the findings of two cross-sectional family response surveys of parents and young people on their attitudes and behaviour towards the provision of financial support by families to young people. 'The impact of Rent Assistance on study and housing choices of Youth Allowance and Austudy payment customers' by Tim Cross and Julie Elliott (p. 51-66), explores the influences of Rent Assistance on young people's study, housing and involvement in paid work.