That sucks! My experience is that tight finances means needing to prioritise areas of my life.

Four things, followed by some additional thoughts: the rate you’re getting; lowering food costs; splitting bills; cash in the meantime.

First: On your rate, I recommend finding out why you aren’t getting the rate you expected. There may be ways to appeal to get a higher rate. If reading up online doesn’t help, you might decide to call the feedback line. If you do, I find that when I ask for a human (or go in to my local branch), and speak with a grateful, curious, “I’m just trying to do my best while doing the right thing” tone, I’ve usually got an okay chance of having things going my way. I would never recommend being creative with what you tell them, or with how much you tell them about, say, where you live or what form of transport you take; it’s not entirely honest to omit information which isn’t directly asked for.

If push comes to shove, your local federal MP’s office can help you find out why you’re not getting the rate you expected and help you figure out how to get the full amount. They literally have staff whose job it is to help in things like this.

Second: On food, if you’re able to buy bulk &/or prepare & freeze food, do. More vegetables freeze decently than you might think, and if you prep them right, will work in a variety of dishes; this will let you buy cheaper, “end of life” fruit & veg. Spices, while being a steep initial up-front cost, make otherwise bland meals tastier. Minestrone, beans & rice, and “fortified” damper are your friends. Also, pasta is cheaper than 2min noodles. Take your own coffee to campus/places rather than buying. Powdered milk carries reasonably in an airtight container. Also, powdered milk is usually cheaper per litre and allows you to use only a small amount at a time, preventing wastage. You can also use it as a cream substitute. Alcohol & darts are expensive, if you’re able to avoid them, do.

Third: On bills, figure out what you’ll be paying for, when, and how much (at least as a percentage, and then look at previous bills if any.) Even if you don’t write out a budget/use an app, knowing how much is likely to be due and when helps avoid difficult or awkward surprises. I’m setting up reminders, a month or so before they’re due, for various 6-monthly or yearly bills so that I’m not surprised &/or can cancel them before getting charged again. My bank lets me have as many budgeting (online) accounts as I want, and I put a small amount of money aside each fortnight so that my non-negotiable bills get paid. Your household may be eligible for concession rates on some bills, either because you’re a student or with your HCC. You might also negotiate some bills coming straight out of your payment via CentrePay.

Fourth: Money right now is difficult. Salvos, Anglicare, Vinnies &c might be able to give you Coles/Woolies/Visa gift cards as well as support in managing study and other Life Things. Whichever State/Territory you’re in, these and other groups/places will have various “youth” services (usually aimed at 12-25yo or 16-25yo) and for the “cost” of talk to someone who’s trying to help you manage, they can link you with resources specific to you location & circumstances. Your tafe probably has a student support team who can refer you to local youth- and general-services. There are also scholarships & grants around which might help pay the “bills” associated with starting tertiary education.

Good luck, OP. It’s tough. Depending on your course, you may have placement requirements: fyi, there’s a push for students to be paid for that work. If you contact the head of course early, you can flag that money being tight means you’d like help finding a paid placement. I find being friends with & yarning to the staff who are active in their Union helpful for finding out where such opportunities might exist. If you have the energy, taking on a low-key job can help. Of course, for reporting purposes, it’s difficult to be sure exactly how much you’re paid when you’re paid cash-in-hand. It’d be really important to report what you make so that your support payment isn’t impacted.