The Australian Government has consolidated information regarding several key financial support payments to assist tertiary students and Australian Apprentices who need to relocate for their approved study or training commitments. This comprehensive support package is administered primarily through Services Australia, offering both one-off and ongoing payments designed to offset the significant costs associated with moving, especially for those leaving regional or remote areas. The main payments highlighted are the Tertiary Access Payment, the Relocation Scholarship, and the Living Away From Home Allowance for apprentices, all aimed at ensuring that where you live doesn’t become a barrier to furthering your education or securing a trade.
Detailed list of key support payments
- Tertiary Access Payment (TAP): This is a one-off payment of up to $5,000 for students who need to move from a regional or remote area of Australia to undertake their first year of tertiary study (Certificate IV or above).
- Eligibility for TAP: The student must generally be 22 or younger when they start their course and commence their tertiary education the year after completing Year 12 (or equivalent). There is an exception for those who finished Year 12 earlier but took a gap year, with an updated eligibility to apply from around mid-June 2025 for payments from 1 January 2025.
- Relocation Scholarship (RS): This is a once-a-year payment for students receiving Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY (Living Allowance) who move to or from a regional or remote area for higher education study.
- Relocation Scholarship Payment Rates: The rate varies depending on circumstances and year of study. For a student moving out of their regional/remote family home, the current rate is approximately $4,459 in the first year, $2,231 in the second and third years, and $1,115 for every year after that.
- Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA): A weekly, tax-free payment for Australian Apprentices who move away from their parents’ or guardians’ home for the first time for their training.
- LAFHA Payment Rates (approximate): The weekly rate decreases as the apprenticeship progresses: $77.17 per week for the first year, $38.59 per week for the second year, and $25.00 per week for the third year. These rates are adjusted in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) each year on 1 July.
- Main Student Payments: Fortnightly income support is available through Youth Allowance (for students and apprentices aged 24 or younger), Austudy (for those 25 or older), and ABSTUDY (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and apprentices).
- Fares Allowance: This helps with travel costs between a student’s permanent home and place of tertiary study, provided the student receives certain payments from Services Australia.
- Involved Institutions: Services Australia is the primary agency for student payments and relocation scholarships (Services Australia), while the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) providers handle claims for the Living Away From Home Allowance.
Full explanation of the government announcement
The Government’s announcement consolidates the various forms of financial assistance available to tertiary students and apprentices who face the substantial challenge of moving home to pursue their educational and vocational goals. It acknowledges that the expense of relocating, particularly from a regional or remote locality to a major city for university or TAFE, can be a real hurdle. The package is designed to provide a financial leg-up to cover costs like establishing new accommodation, buying essentials, and travel.
For students, the **Tertiary Access Payment (TAP)** is an absolute boon. It’s a significant one-off amount of up to $5,000 for that crucial first year, which is generally when the expenses hit hardest. To be eligible, your family home must be in a regional or remote area, and you need to be starting your studies (Certificate IV or higher) straight after Year 12. If you took a gap year, don’t fret; the eligibility rules are being expanded for those commencing study from 1 January 2025, allowing applications from mid-June 2025. Complementing this is the **Relocation Scholarship**, which offers annual support. Unlike TAP, the scholarship is paid automatically if you are receiving an eligible income support payment like Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY, and if your move is to or from a regional or remote area.
Apprentices are also well-catered for with the **Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA)**. This is specifically for those undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship who must move away from their folks’ place for the first time to start or continue their training. It’s a non-taxable, weekly payment that helps with cost-of-living pressures during those first three formative years of the apprenticeship, gradually reducing as the apprentice becomes more established. It’s important to note, though, that you can’t receive LAFHA at the same time as Youth Allowance, Austudy, or ABSTUDY, so you need to check which support is best for your unique circumstances. To find out more about these various supports and check your eligibility criteria, you should definitely visit the official Services Australia page: Payments to help with the costs of moving for study or training.
How to apply for relocation assistance
The application process varies depending on the specific payment you’re chasing:
- For the Tertiary Access Payment (TAP): You need to lodge a claim with Services Australia. You can apply even if you are not receiving other regular payments like Youth Allowance. You’ll need to provide documentation proving your home address is in a regional or remote area.
- For the Relocation Scholarship (RS): This is usually an automatic payment. If you are already receiving an eligible payment like Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY, and you have notified Services Australia of your new address for study that meets the regional/remote criteria, the scholarship should be paid automatically. If you don’t receive it, contact Services Australia.
- For the Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA): You apply for this allowance through your local Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider (more on Services Australia). They can also advise on your eligibility and help you with the lodgement process in the Apprenticeships Data Management System.
- For other payments (Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY): You must submit a claim to Services Australia through their online services, in person, or by mail.
Common questions and answers for community members
- Am I eligible for the Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) if I’m moving from one city to another? No. The TAP is specifically for students relocating from a regional or remote area of Australia to undertake tertiary study.
- How much is the maximum Tertiary Access Payment (TAP)? It is a one-off payment of up to $5,000.
- Is the Relocation Scholarship paid every fortnight? No, the Relocation Scholarship is a once-a-year payment.
- Do I have to apply for the Relocation Scholarship? For most students, no. If you’re getting Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY and meet the eligibility rules, the payment is generally automatic.
- Can I get the Relocation Scholarship if I am living in a major city? You may be eligible if you are moving *to* or *from* a regional or remote area. If both your family home and place of study are in a major city, you generally cannot get the Relocation Scholarship.
- What is the age limit for the Tertiary Access Payment (TAP)? You must generally be 22 or younger when you start your course.
- Can I receive both the Tertiary Access Payment and the Relocation Scholarship? Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria for both, particularly in your first year of study.
- Who handles the application for the Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA)? You apply through your local Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider.
- How much is the Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA) in the first year? The first-year rate is approximately $77.17 per week.
- Can an apprentice get LAFHA and Youth Allowance at the same time? No. You are generally not eligible for LAFHA if you already receive Youth Allowance, Austudy, or ABSTUDY.
- What kind of study is covered by the Tertiary Access Payment (TAP)? TAP covers tertiary education at Certificate IV level or above.
- What are the main fortnightly payments for students? They are Youth Allowance (under 25), Austudy (25 or older), and ABSTUDY (for Indigenous Australians).
- Does the Fares Allowance cover all my travel costs? It helps with travel costs between your permanent home and place of tertiary study, subject to eligibility criteria and certain payments from Services Australia.
- What is Rent Assistance? It is an automatic add-on payment if you pay rent and receive certain other payments from Services Australia.
- What is the Student Start-up Loan? It is a voluntary, twice-yearly loan of about $1,055 to help eligible students with upfront study costs, which must be repaid later.
- Does the Relocation Scholarship cover moving for an approved regional placement? Yes, you may be eligible to get the Relocation Scholarship if you do an approved regional placement.
- Can I get LAFHA if I moved out of home three months before starting my apprenticeship? Generally, you must move away from your parents’ or legal guardian’s home for the first time no more than three months before or while still in the first three years of the apprenticeship.
- Do I need to report a change of address to Services Australia? Yes, it is very important to update your address immediately so you receive the correct payment rate and amount.
