Can people on a WHV claim rent assistance?

markymark21

I know its a bit cheeky but I was wondering is it possible for people on a WHV to claim rent assistance?

It says on the website, you can claim if


"You are under 25 and living permanently or indefinitely apart from your parents or guardians.'

Does this only apply to Australian residents? I only ask because me and the girlfriend are paying nearly $360 a week..not exactly pocket change.

Website is here: http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/rent_eligible.htm

universe777

Not a chance, you are here on a Working Holiday Visa, definitely not permanently away from mummy & daddy.

Zambia

A bit cheeky ! Mate your on a holiday visa centrelink will not touch you. If you are paying that much you need to move. I was paying 360 pw for a full 2 bed house in moonee ponds in Melbourne.

markymark21

Zambia wrote: »

A bit cheeky ! Mate your on a holiday visa centrelink will not touch you. If you are paying that much you need to move. I was paying 360 pw for a full 2 bed house in moonee ponds in Melbourne.

Ha I thought so! Anyway we're (me and the gf between us) actually paying $360 (I thought it was $380). Either way that's pretty much the going rate in St Kilda for anything half decent.

You should see some of the digs I've seen some people live in around here. I don't know landlords get away with letting people live there, you wouldn't let your dog live there never mind a person.

zweton

mark, is this price for an apartment or a house share?

markymark21

zweton wrote: »

mark, is this price for an apartment or a house share?

It's a two bedroom apartment. I reckon it's over valued by around $60 a week. Buts it's near the beach and near work so we're happy enough!

zweton

mark, the hostel me and my girlfriend have booked to stay in is called home travellers hostel in st.kilda, do u know it?

markymark21

zweton wrote: »

mark, the hostel me and my girlfriend have booked to stay in is called home travellers hostel in st.kilda, do u know it?

Yup. Me ad the girlfriend stayed there for a week when we first arrived! We are now living in an apartment only a few doors up from the hostel now.

Did you book a private room or shared dorms?

zweton

private mark, what did u make of it?

dRNk SAnTA

St. Kilda is full of overpriced crap and is too far from CBD in my opinion. We shared an apartment in a tower on City Road for $350 per week. Had a gym, pool, tennis court and was within walking distance of everywhere, rarely needed a tram or train. You should look at other areas, St Kilda is severely overrated.

zweton

dRNk SAnTA wrote: »

St. Kilda is full of overpriced crap and is too far from CBD in my opinion. We shared an apartment in a tower on City Road for $350 per week. Had a gym, pool, tennis court and was within walking distance of everywhere, rarely needed a tram or train. You should look at other areas, St Kilda is severely overrated.

Sound advice santa, tbh i have not picked st.kilda to settle long term.
We just booked that hostel because it seemed it was not party central and seemed like one of the better hostels around.Could you recommend any other areas to rent long term? I guess for work the cbd would make sense and if its that far in theres prob no point. Is st.kilda alot more overpriced that other areas? What area was the apartment in?

dRNk SAnTA

I lived in Southbank which is just between South Melboure and the CBD. That's where Crown Casino is, and it's a short walk along the river to Federation Square. From a good spot near the CBD you'll be able to walk everywhere which is great. Southbank isn't the liveliest area but I had my local (Maori Chief), few bars, restaurants, lots of shops, Crown casino, supermarkets, walked to work in South Melbourne etc so I was happy. Plus whole cbd just across river.

I'm no expert on the various other suburbs, Prahran seemed a nice/posh area, South Yarra too. They have Toorak and Chapel streets with tons of shops, restaurants and bars but they're also Tram distance from CBD.

Carlton is a little rougher and edgier, younger crowd, hipsters and lots of music going on(around Smith st i think). Quite cool, not glamorous but nothing to be afraid of.

Docklands is recently redeveloped and while it's nice, it's very soulless, lots of huge offices and shops are still just opening up. South Melbourne + Port Melbourne have some lovely areas but prob too far from the action. South Melbourne is good if you are close to City Road or St. Kilda road. Clarendon st. and Queen Ave (I think) are main shopping streets in those areas.

I don't think you'll go far wrong with a nice pad in any of the inner suburbs within 10-15 mins walk of CBDG Just be careful you don't find yourself in a no-mans land like Middle park where there's no craic at all and you end up having to get trams EVERYWHERE. For us, we wanted to get close to the action so Southbank was perfect.

I only lived there 6 months so I'm sure people with more experience could say more. It actually took us a couple of weeks of solid searching to get our apartment last summer, we were having no luck at all for a while. Keep at it and good luck!

markymark21

zweton wrote: »

private mark, what did u make of it?

The hostel is grand, the room is nice and clean. It would want to be at $100 a night. The thing about Home Travellers is that it isn't a party hostel like, say Base Back Packers - theres no bar. So we found it harder to meet people as we spent all day looking for jobs/apartments so we were more inclined to just head back to our room in the evening - or just go out ourselves y'know? If you want meet people at the hostel you'll have to just grab a six-pack and just sit at the benches in the yard!

In regards to St Kilda - personally I like it! A lot of Irish people seem to have something against the area - primarily because there are lots of other Irish living in the area... strange I know. Personally I think its funny seeing sun burnt lads going around wearing a Kerry jersey, black socks and swimming trunks!

But the area is grand. You have the beach, a few decent bars, restaurants, coffee shops etc. Your 10 minutes by Tram from Chapel street and a 15 minute train ride from the CBD. Make sure you check out 'The Apartment' Bar and the little jazz bar beside it. Good spots. Avoid 'The Craic' Irish bar.

So yeh, I think St Kilda is great. For me the only other spot I'd want to live in Melbourne is the Brunswick/Fitzroy area as St Kilda doesn't have enough late-night bars for my liking.

Zambia

Jesus lads are you all bloody doctors Because those are type of areas you are looking at.

Digitalism

Zambia wrote: »

Jesus lads are you all bloody doctors Because those are type of areas you are looking at.

Exactly what I was about to say!!:eek:

Im here paying $200 pw all bills included on a bachelor pad in brisbane and its not exactly cheap or lavish, but does the job for what I need.

dRNk SAnTA

Eh no! 24 year old backpacker, unskilled. I earned way less than most Irish I met who mostly seemed to be tradies. Still could afford 350 a week between 2 people though...

markymark21

Digitalism wrote: »

Exactly what I was about to say!!:eek:

Im here paying $200 pw all bills included on a bachelor pad in brisbane and its not exactly cheap or lavish, but does the job for what I need.

$350+ a week might seem expensive but when your in a couple its split between the two..so it isn't too bad

universe777

I've been living in Southbank for nearly 2 years, wouldn't live anywhere else in Melbourne!

zweton

Not in auz yet but southbank, fitzroy areas are starting to appeal to me more than st.kilda:D Only in st.kilda for a week so will suss out accom in these areas then. Cant imagine southbank area being much more expensive to rent compared to st.kilda, could be wrong though!

Zambia

Mate start running cars and all sorts of other non WHV stuff then come back to us.

zweton

Zambia wrote: »

Mate start running cars and all sorts of other non WHV stuff then come back to us.

Say what now!:D

Zambia

Actually 350pw is not that bad a rent. However the point I am getting at is you have to consider is the property you are in a place you would consider living long term. If you decide to stay in Melbourne. Could you put people up like visiting parents etc.

markymark21

Zambia wrote: »

Actually 350pw is not that bad a rent. However the point I am getting at is you have to consider is the property you are in a place you would consider living long term. If you decide to stay in Melbourne. Could you put people up like visiting parents etc.

Visiting parents can go stay in a hotel


Either way If you are single, living in Melbourne; $150-200 a week rent isn't too bad if you can land a halfway decent job - which should have you earning $700-$1000 a week (after tax) in this city.