Have a read of a few of these link below, because it appears that all the year 12's LAST YEAR who deferred and took a year off to work, may not be eligible for youth allowance.
2009–10 Commonwealth Budget - Education Overview - Making the system fairer
http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/youth-allowance-eligibility-changes-has-gap-year-students-in-shock/1512597.aspx
The Career Path - budget impacts on Youth Allowance - ABC Riverina NSW (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
2009–10 Commonwealth Budget - Education Overview - Making the system fairer
"From 1 January 2010, the workforce participation criteria will be limited to having worked full-time for at least 30 hours a week, for at least 18 months in the last 2 years. Students who have already met the workforce participation criteria, prior to 1 January 2010, will be unaffected. Other independence rules based on personal circumstances will not change."
http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/youth-allowance-eligibility-changes-has-gap-year-students-in-shock/1512597.aspx
"GAP year students across the south-west were shocked to learn yesterday that their decision to take a year off to qualify for government handouts while studying may come to nothing.
Changes to the rules surrounding Youth Allowance mean school-leavers who deferred their tertiary place to work and qualify for the payments will be ineligible.
Tuesday's Federal Budget revealed the removal of two major eligibility criteria; that the recipient work part-time to earn at least $19,532, over a period of at least 18 months since leaving school.
Young people are working in shops, schools and offices across the region this year in the hope of fulfilling these two criteria and being recognised as "independent" by May next year.
The new system means that this year's gap students will not have completed their required 18-month earning period before the January 1 deadline.
From January 1, they'll need to work full-time for at least 30 hours a week to qualify.
Under the existing rules, an independent full-time university student paying rent can receive about $400 a fortnight and also earn another $236 while studying before losing any of their Youth Allowance payment."
This is also an interesting listen.
What do you reckon?