The Wire

Australian students are struggling to cope with the demands of university because they are forced to work long hours to support themselves. Many find it hard to juggle paying rent and buying food, with attending classes and meeting the financial pressures of uni. As a result, students are skipping class, dropping out of uni and taking out personal loans. At the moment the Government’s Austudy and Youth Allowance schemes provide students with a level of income support. However, Greens Senator Kerry Nettle says that these schemes must be changed in order to meet the changing financial needs of students today.