Money

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Independence comes with a price. Food, rent and any other necessities that cost money all need to be carefully considered when you are planning to move out of home. Therefore, getting part-time or casual work is usually necessary. Many young people who have just finished school opt to have a year off ('gap year') before continuing on to University or equivalent. A lot of young people find it difficult to save money or find time for work whilst they are studying. That is why it is important to consider the following factors and how you will deal with them, before you dive straight into the whole new world of living independently: ======  Renting can be a very expensive factor of independent living. And as stated in the housing link, according to OkayTravel.com.au shared renting prices can vary quite a bit from state to state. It is very important to understand the payments and any other aspects of the rent contract before you settle in to a new home.
 * Rent? **

In Darwin, The Power and Water corporation has set charges for power, water and sewage. //** Power Tariffs **// Standard Metre: 18.31 cents per kilowatt hour, plus fixed charge of 36.11 cents per day. Prepayment Metre: 20.13 cents per kilowatt hour. //** Water Tariffs **// A charge for each kilolitre (1000 litres) used: 89.90 cents per kilolitre //** Sewage Tariffs **// A fixed annual charge of $428.04 applies to houses, flats, resedential unit properties and vacant blocks able to be connected to the sewage service. It applies whether the service is connected or not, and regardless of the number of sanitary fittings in each residence.
 * Power/Water/Sewage? **

For more information aboput saving money on your water, power and sewage bill, head to PowerAndWater.com.au. Also, learn to save money on your energy bills by taking a look at their Virtual Energy Audit.

Living on campus at your university or school can be a great way to save money on transport. The money that would usually be spent on travel to and from school can be spent on things like food or clothing, or it can be put in the bank and saved for the future. Another way to save money on travel is to catch public transport, like busses or trains, rather than driving your own car and forking out money for petrol.
 * Transport ?**

Don't forget that it is importand to allow for things like food, health expenses, clothing and recrational funds, in your budget. The Northern Territory has developed a great site for Understanding Money. For a clear, easy to follow Budget Planner, visit UnderstandingMoney.gov.au
 * Food/Health/****Clothing/****Recreation?**

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 Centrelink offers a number of support services. They focus on your personal circumstances and offer you the best possible help to suit your needs. Centrelink supports students with a range of different payment options: ======

 **//Youth Allowance//** You may be eligible for Youth Allowance if you are: //**Austudy**// You may be eligible for Austudy if you are aged 25 or over and: You may be eligible for ABSTUDY if you are: You may be eligible for Newstart Allowance if you are:
 * 16 - 20 years old and looking for full time work or undertaking a combination of approved activities, or have a temporary exemption from the participation and Activity Test requirements. If you do not have a Year 12 certificate or an equivalent qualification (Certificate level II or above) you will generally be expected to undertake study or training to meet the Activity Test.
 * 16 - 24 years old and studying or undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship full-time.
 * If you turn 25 you can keep getting Youth Allowance until you finish your course or Apprenticeship.
 * studying an approved full-time course at an approved institution, or
 * undertaking a full-time Australian Apprenticeship.
 * Unlike Youth Allowance, there is no independence test for Austudy. If you qualify for Austudy you are considered independent. This means the parental means test does not apply.
 * //ABSTUDY//**
 * of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person and are accepted as such in the community you live or have lived,
 * were aged 14 years or more on 1 January and are studying at primary school, or
 * are doing secondary school studies, or
 * are studying full-time or part-time at a TAFE, university or tertiary institution, or
 * are undertaking a full-time Australian Apprenticeship, or
 * are doing a distance education or correspondence course, or
 * are studying for a Masters or Doctorate degree.
 * //Newstart//**
 * aged 21 years or over,
 * under Age Pension age,
 * looking for paid work,
 * prepared to enter into an Employment Pathway Plan and meet activity test requirements,
 * not involved in industrial action.

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