Centrelink Announces $5,000 Cash Benefit – Eligible Australians Urged to Claim Now

Those Australians who are starting their university or TAFE courses this year are urged to look at their eligibility for the Tertiary Access Payment (TAP). This one-off payment provided by Services Australia is up to $5,000 to support students from the regions in the costs of relocating to take on higher education.

Tertiary Access Payment

The TAP is targeting students who are transitioning from regional or remote locations to access tertiary education. It cushions the cost of relocation so that students can concentrate on their studies.

Payment

$5,000: It is paid in two installments for students from outer regional or remote areas.
$3,000: It is paid as a lump sum for students from inner regional areas.

Matters

The Country Education Foundation says that regional and rural students are 20% less likely to pursue tertiary education than their metropolitan peers. While 48% of 25-to-34-year-olds in cities hold degrees, this figure falls to just 20% in regional areas. TAP seeks to address this disparity by encouraging and supporting regional students in their academic pursuits.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for TAP, you must meet the following requirements:

Residency: Be an Australian resident.
Location: Be from an inner regional, outer regional, or remote area.
Relocation: Relocate at least 90 minutes from home by public transport to study
Education: A candidate should complete Year 12 (or equivalent) and commence a certificate IV or higher within 12 months after completion.
Age: Be 22 years of age or under at the time of starting your tertiary course.
Parental Income: Parents’ or guardians’ combined income must not exceed $250,000.

For most students, eligible ones can seek TAP January 1-December 31 during their initial year of undertaking studies.

How to Apply

Applying for TAP can be completed on the website of Services Australia. Following approval of your details about your course of study, payments will begin automatically. One should note also that TAP is eligible in combination with Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY, but one is free to take one’s relocation scholarship.

Other Supports

Besides TAP, there are many financial support schemes for young Aussies studying in tertiary institutions. These include:

Youth Allowance

Financial assistance for students, apprentices who are 24 years old or younger, and job seekers who are 21 years old or younger.

ABSTUDY

Financial aid for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students or apprentices.

Relocation Scholarship

Annual financial support for Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY recipients who relocate for study.

Student Start-Up Loan

A voluntary loan of $1,273 available twice a year for higher education students, to be repaid once a certain income threshold is met.

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Payment Rates

Youth Allowance rates increased by $15 to $24.30 due to indexation from January 1, 2023, bringing the maximum rate to $663.30 per fortnight for single individuals living away from home. Other payments, including Austudy and Carer Allowance, also increased.

Significant

The Tertiary Access Payment is a game-changer for regional and rural students facing the challenges of relocating for study. By providing up to $5,000 in financial support, it helps close the education gap between metropolitan and regional areas.

If you’re from a regional area and starting university or TAFE this year, don’t miss out—check your eligibility and apply for TAP today to make your transition smoother and more affordable.