The Wire

Young people will soon be forced to study or find employment as the federal government considers changes to unemployment benefits in the budget. The tough new measures will mean young people will have to wait until they are 25 to receive Newstart allowance, an extra three years from the current eligible age of 22. They will have to apply for the Youth Allowance instead, which is around $100 less per fortnight than Newstart. The measure will also require high school leavers to wait six months before applying for Youth Allowance, the idea being that it would encourage more young people into work.