They joined a nationwide series of rallies as part of a day of action by the National Union of Students.

Students from universities in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, Hobart, Canberra and Adelaide held marches and signed petitions urging the Federal Government to make the youth allowance fair.

Speaking on the day of action last week, Monash Student Association president Julian Campbell said the federal budget was 50 days away, which meant another 50 days that students would "suffer under an unfair student income support system".

The MSA is campaigning for the Government to lower the age of independence, make the means-testing system fair and increase payment levels up to the Henderson Poverty Line.

"It is simply perverse that students need to earn $18,000 in 18months before they can qualify for youth allowance," Mr Campbell said.

"It must be made easier to access than this. With such a strong turnout from so many campuses, students truly showed they will not let up in demanding the Government instigate a fairer income support system."

Mr Campbell said the strong message from the rallies was that the age of independence to qualify for the youth allowance must be reduced to 18.

National Union of Students Victorian branch president Mark Baker, who co-ordinated the rally, said students were missing meals, skipping class to go to work and living in "impoverished" conditions.

"That is why we are taking action today demanding that the Federal Government take real action on this issue."