The Senate passed the changes to allow students living in remote and outer regional areas, such as Bright, Mount Beauty and Corryong, to qualify for the youth allowance under the old system.

But those living in places such as Albury-Wodonga, Wangaratta, Corowa and Myrtleford will be subject to tough new rules in order to qualify for the payment.

Member for Indi Sophie Mir- abella said the changes discriminate between rural and regional students.

“This is an arbitrary line dividing students in the North East,” she said.

“Students across all of the North East face similar costs when moving to study and deserve the same level of support.”

The changes mean students living in Albury-Wodonga will be required to find 30 hours of work per week for 18 months over two years to qualify for the independent rate of youth allowance.

Those in remote and outer regional areas, meanwhile, will be able to access the payment under the old criteria of working 15 hours a week over two years, or earning $19,532 over an 18-month period.

Nursing student at La Trobe University’s Wodonga campus, Kate Robinson, said it would be difficult for students on the Border to meet the criteria.

She said there was increased competition in places like Wodonga because it has two universities and a TAFE with students in search of work.

“To get 30 hours a week would be almost impossible I think,” Ms Robinson, 18, said.

While still unhappy with the changes, member for Benalla Bill Sykes said there was a breakthrough for gap year students who attended year 12 in 2008.

“The Minister for Education Julia Gillard has finally agreed not to punish students who were on their gap year when the changes were announced,” he said.

“The new legislation won’t come into effect until July this year, which means these students will not be adversely affected by the changes.”

Dr Sykes said he would continue to fight for a better deal for regional students.

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