The Australian Government, through Services Australia, has announced new or consolidated support payments for tertiary students and Australian Apprentices who need to relocate from their family home to undertake study or training. This initiative aims to ease the financial burden associated with moving, particularly for those from regional or remote areas. The support available is categorised to help with moving expenses, rent, and the cost of travel between the student’s home and their place of study or training. Some of these financial supports are automatically paid alongside existing student payments like Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY, or Austudy, while other types of assistance require an individual claim should a person meet the eligibility criteria. The announcement encourages prospective recipients to check their eligibility now in preparation for the 2026 academic year.
Key details of the announcement
- Issuing Body: Services Australia (which manages Centrelink payments).
- Target Recipients: Tertiary students and Australian Apprentices.
- Reason for Support: Needing to move away from the parental or family home for work, study, or training purposes.
- Eligible Moving Origin: The support specifically targets moving costs for those relocating from a regional or remote area.
- Types of Support Available: Payments may cover three main areas: moving costs, ongoing rent assistance, and travel expenses between the student’s or apprentice’s home and the place of study/work.
- Associated Student Payments: Some relocation payments are linked to and automatically paid with existing income support payments, such as Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY, or Austudy.
- Claim Status: Some supports are automatic, while others require a separate claim to be lodged with Services Australia.
- Relevant Dates: The announcement was published and last updated on 6 October 2025, urging students to check their entitlements now for the 2026 academic or training year.
- Eligibility Check: Individuals are advised to check their eligibility through the Services Australia website or contact channels.
- Associated Link: For further details on eligibility and specific amounts, students should consult the relevant pages on the Services Australia website.
Full explanation of the government announcement
This Services Australia update confirms that the Commonwealth is providing a financial helping hand, or ‘digging in’ as we say, for young people who must leave home to pursue their educational or vocational dreams. It is particularly aimed at assisting those who may be disadvantaged by geography, such as students or apprentices moving from a regional or remote community. The support is designed to ensure that the initial financial shock of moving interstate or across the country is manageable, covering costs like rent, the expense of relocating possessions, and essential travel back home for breaks.
Understanding your entitlements can sometimes feel like a bit of a maze, but it is well worth the effort. The good news is that for many students already receiving assistance like Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY, or Austudy, some of these moving supports will simply turn up in your bank account without having to fill out extra forms. However, other payments, especially those that are one-off or relate to specific moving costs, will require you to submit a formal claim with Services Australia. It is essential to get onto this early, especially as we head towards the start of the 2026 intake, as the application process requires specific documentation. Students should absolutely read more about payments you can get when you’re moving for study or training by visiting the source page: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/payments-to-help-with-costs-moving-for-study-or-training.
Taking part in this assistance is simply about ensuring you are not financially disadvantaged because of where you live. Students and apprentices should not miss out on opportunities due to the tyranny of distance. While the announcement does not detail the exact dollar amounts, these payments often cover significant costs that can make or break a young person’s ability to start or continue their education. For more information on related payments and Services Australia news, you can find more on https://medigosa.com/category/services-australia/.
How to claim a moving-related payment
While the exact process may vary depending on whether you are an apprentice or a student, and whether you already receive an eligible income support payment, the general ‘How To’ steps for Services Australia claims are as follows:
- Check Eligibility: First and foremost, you must confirm you meet the criteria for the core student or apprentice payment (Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY, or Austudy) as this is usually the foundation for the moving support. You must also confirm that your move meets the specific regional or remote criteria, if applicable.
- Gather Documentation: Collect all necessary supporting evidence. This might include proof of your new address, evidence of your enrolment in the course or apprenticeship, proof of your former regional or remote address, and potentially quotes or receipts for moving costs.
- Access Your Online Account: Log in to your myGov account and navigate to the Centrelink section (managed by Services Australia).
- Lodge a Claim: Follow the links to claim a new payment or supplement. For automatic payments, you should simply ensure your address details are up-to-date. For a specific relocation payment, look for the relevant claim form under ‘Payments and claims’ or ‘Education’ sections.
- Submit and Wait: Submit your claim and supporting documents. Services Australia will assess your claim and notify you of the outcome. It is always wise to keep a record of your submission.
Community questions and answers on moving payments
- What are the names of these specific moving payments?
The announcement refers to them broadly as payments to help with costs. They are generally supplements or allowances under the umbrella of Youth Allowance, Austudy, or ABSTUDY, such as Relocation Scholarship, Rent Assistance, or Fares Allowance. - Who is eligible for these moving payments?
Tertiary students and Australian Apprentices who need to move away from home for their study or training are the target group. - Do I have to move from a regional area to get help?
Assistance with ‘moving costs’ is specified for those moving from a regional or remote area, but rent and travel support may have broader eligibility depending on the primary student payment rules. - If I already get Youth Allowance, do I need to claim a separate moving payment?
The announcement states some payments are made automatically with a student payment, but others must be claimed separately, so you should check with Services Australia. - What types of costs can the payments help with?
They can assist with moving costs, rent, and travel expenses between your home and your place of study or work. - When should I check my eligibility for these payments?
Services Australia advises individuals to check their entitlements now in preparation for the 2026 academic year. - Is this a new payment, or an existing one being highlighted?
This is an announcement highlighting existing or updated support available to ensure students and apprentices are aware of their entitlements. - Are part-time students eligible for this assistance?
Eligibility often requires full-time study, or a sufficient study load, to qualify for the underlying student payment (Youth Allowance/Austudy/ABSTUDY). - How is ‘regional or remote area’ defined for the purpose of moving costs?
Services Australia uses a specific remoteness classification, often the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS), to define these areas. - What is the Fares Allowance and is it included?
Fares Allowance helps students with the cost of travel between their home and tertiary institution at certain times of the year, and is a component of the mentioned travel support. - Can I get rent assistance if I live in a share house?
Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria for the core student payment and pay rent, you can generally claim Rent Assistance based on your share of the rent. - Are international students eligible for this Australian Government support?
No, these payments are typically restricted to Australian citizens, permanent residents, or holders of certain special category visas. - If I move overseas for study, am I still eligible?
Generally, the payment of Youth Allowance, Austudy, or ABSTUDY ceases after six weeks overseas unless the course is a required part of an Australian course. - Where can I find the specific dollar amounts for the moving support?
Specific amounts are published on the Services Australia website pages for Youth Allowance, Austudy, and ABSTUDY supplements and allowances. - Does this help Australian Apprentices with the costs of trade school block release travel?
Yes, support for Australian Apprentices, including travel for block release training, is often covered under the ABSTUDY or other specific apprentice allowances. - Do I need a myGov account to claim these payments?
Having a myGov account linked to Centrelink is the standard and most efficient way to access and manage these services and lodge a claim online. - Who do I contact if I have questions about my eligibility?
You should contact Services Australia directly by phone or by visiting a Centrelink Service Centre.
