omg i hate centrelink! agreed?

If some people spent even half the time they did posting on a forum to find out what (if anything) they're entitled to from Centrelink, Australia would be a much better place.

Get off your computer and pay your own way.  
Taxpayers don't owe you anything.

I worked 2 jobs to put myself through Uni and ended up with an Honours degree.

true in some cases. I find that most of the people complaining about centrelink are the ones who feel overly entitled to the money without doing enough to warrant it. Bogans and derros to be generalistic (of my area at least.... greater western sydney). However some people can afford their spare time to discussion about animal rights and anything else on this forum with like minded people because it's what the enjoy.

especially when its outside of business hours and are doing their classwork on the computer at the same time.

I have a nasty little hunch that this is directed at me. Yeah, like I've already said, I work literally as much as I can with my uni hours. I haven't purchased anything simply because I wanted it for so long that I'm currently wearing my mother's clothes. I too have two jobs, if you consider using my Italian fluency to tutor a job, which personally I do. I'm honestly working as hard as is conceivably possible to "put myself through uni", and it's costing me my friends, my happiness and even my health to an extent, so don't even think about suggesting that you're better because your two jobs were sufficient to pay your way through uni. You either had parents who were very helpful or jobs which pay you a damn sight more than mine do.

As far as actually seeing what I'm entitled to; I've spent hours on their site and on the phone speaking to impatient, jaded employees and so far had nothing to show for it. Now I have to manage the difficult task of getting someone to speak to me in person to make absolutely sure. Don't presume that none of us have looked into it properly.

I think taxpayers would much rather use the money they send to Centrelink to help out uni students who are actively working to contribute to a better society than people who waste away their DOLE payments on cheap booze and cigarettes. In fact, I haven't spoken to a single taxpayer who hasn't told me that they have nothing wrong with students getting help from Centrelink, and most think students should get more than they do. Which, unless you are over 25, or working full time, or have parents who earn less than a combined $45,000 a year, is pretty much nothing.

Which would be me right now, at the library, finishing my linguistics assignment, waiting for mum to knock off work and writing up yet another ad for tutoring.

Oh and sorry if I'm coming across as harsh or snappy. -_-' I just feel rather insulted, especially considering the fact that I got about two and a half hour sleep last night, since I worked after uni and had to study for a kanji test after that, AND cook dinner, AND clean the kitchen.

Oh what was that? I should get ANOTHER job and get off my computer?

Of course!

Don't worry, only you can know what you're going through. Click your heels three times and say "sticks and stones..."

talked to a social worker today, trying to convince them im independent so i can get some payments!

Haha, thanks. >.< Ahem. I'm not fiery at AAAAAAAAAAAAALL.

let me know if i need to hit anyone!!!!

Sorry to jump on this before I've read the rest of the thread but this is super unfair - I'm not for a second saying that you should be able to do this, but just because others can doesn't mean they aren't dedicating 'sufficient' time to their studies.

My husband is currently doing his honours (full time).  He got an HD average for his pass degree (which he did full time), while working full time, paying ALL our rent, bills, food, travel costs etc. because I don't work (either then or currently - as I am a full time research student).  While I get that we probably don't live the life that you want to live I think the 82% average across ALL his subjects, for his WHOLE degree says something about the amount of time that he dedicates to school.

ETA - MORE GENERALLY:  I agree wholeheartedly that students should be given more than people on the dole.  I think it works in two ways: it encourages people to upskill and it rewards people who want to better their education.  HOWEVER, I would rather see (I think) studies that currently do not qualify for anything (such as research Master's and Doctoral programs) get something than every undergraduate and secondary school student get more than they already get.  Of course - I am only talking about people who actually are eligible to receive benefits.

I personally believe that they also need to have another look at the independent status and how it can be met.  Having said all of that, I can understand why parental income counts towards assessment if a student is still living at home.  It's not always fair, but that's what it is.

I did get some support when I was doing my undergraduate degree, although I also worked and often earned enough that I would get very little or nothing from Centerlink each fortnight.  Once I started my Master's program I wasn't eligible for anything because my program of study was not 'necessary' (even though it is for my chosen career).  But, I'm not complaining - I'm thankful that I got some help and that I lived in a country in which I could access something (without having to pay it back...  like many, many other [first world] countries.)