The Greens have been inundated with letters, emails, faxes and phone calls about the Government's proposed changes to the Youth Allowance independence test under the 2009/10 Federal Budget.

We understand your concerns - the removal of two of the work eligibility criteria, effective as of January 2010, is moving the goalposts for a lot of young people who have taken on a 'gap year' to work, in the good faith that they could qualify as independent and be supported by Youth Allowance while they study. The changes represent ill-thought out policy with unfair ramifications.

You can sign on to our petition calling for the Government to see sense on their planned Youth Allowance changes.

You can read what Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for Education, has said about this issue here.

Here are some real stories from students and parents of young adults about how the proposed changes will affect them, their welfare, their family budgets, and their educational outcomes:

"Country kids are further being disadvantaged in their pursuit of higher education. In the Rudd/Swan budget announced recently, the testing of 'independence' is being tweaked by a government preaching education revolution, but really is making it so hard for country kids that fewer will go down the path of seeking a university education... In my area, the Riverland/Murraylands, we are already ravaged by drought, lack of inflows into the Murray River and the current recession, so pickings are slim for part-time work, let alone all but full time work for an unskilled kid fresh out of school." - Brenton, Berri, SA.

"It is unfair for the changes to the Youth Allowance independence criteria to commence in 2010, as many young people like me made plans months ago regarding their future, which will now be ruined. During the past 6 months I have become financially independent of my parents, I pay for my own entertainment, travelling expenses and bills. I want that to continue. Youth Allowance enables young people like me to work, gain their independence and keep it while they are studying." - Emily, Linden, NSW.

"My daughter entered the Navy gap year with the intent to start her tertiary education next year... Whilst many of her friends have travelled, one of the reasons she decided to enter the Navy is that she is determined to fund as much of the future accommodation expenses as she could, independent of her parents. The Navy actively recruited with the Youth Allowance as part of the benefit, with the income they would earn easily reaching the required amount to qualify... As she is currently on a posting, she does not know of these proposed changes, and I know how upset she will be. The university will not allow her to defer for another 6 months, and she could not possibly be able to study a double degree and work 30 hours a week for 6 months." - Antony, Newtown, VIC.

"Given the policies in place by the Government, my son made the considered decision to defer studying this year, join the workforce, pay his taxes, and save money to help fund his education... With this announcement, my son is now facing the distressing dilemma of not being able to study his chosen field, let alone continue his studies at all. The course, offered at no other university in Australia, is based 2 1/2 hours away in Sydney. Therefore, for him to undertake this degree, he is not able to live at home and will need to bear not only the costs of attending university, but the basic cost of putting a roof over his head. We are a middle income family and we just do not have the means to provide the necessary funds for him to do this." - Catherine, Northmead, NSW.

Have your say. Email Senator Sarah Hanson-Young here.

Got Facebook? Show your support by joining a group like this.

Sign our petition calling for immediate action on Youth Allowance here.