GRIFFITH parents and their children have welcomed amendments to the Government's proposed Youth Allowance criteria changes.

But local parent and former teacher Viki Dalla said it's too early to celebrate because the changes still have to pass in the Lower House.

The Federal Government's May budget proposed to change the independence criteria that would require students to work 30 hours per week for 18 months to qualify for support payments.

The move outraged local parents and their children who claimed the changes discriminated against students in the country.

On Tuesday night in the Senate, the Coalition, together with Independents and the Greens, passed a number of amendments that Ms Dalla said was a move in the right direction.

"I am very pleased with the Senate's amendments," Ms Dalla said.

"What disappoints me though is Julia Gillard's comments, she just doesn't seem to get it. For her to say the amendments will blow a hole in the budget is ridiculous, I mean just look at the government spending � surely the tertiary education of our country kids is worth it.

"She is a former teacher; I can't believe she doesn't see the ramifications."

The Senate voted for all current gap year students to be exempt from the changes and to retain the independent Youth Allowance workforce participation criteria of earning approximately $19,500 in the 18 months after leaving school, for those students who must move away from home to study, with an audit process put in place.

The Greens moved an amendment in regard to the workforce participation criteria of working 30 hours per week for two years. The provision will now allow an average of 30 hours per week, instead of the hard line minimum 30 hours per week.

Member for Riverina Kay Hull "strongly" urged the Government to accept the changes agreed to by the Senate.

"I would like to thank everyone who spoke up about this issue. Without your feedback, we could not have presented such a strong case for these amendments," Mrs Hull said.