The Centrelink Youth Allowance and Abstudy initiatives, which newly include the quarterly$5,000 allowance, serves as a significant financial boost to students, especially for those moving to cities and regional areas to study for tertiary education. Every student relocating is now receiving more support than ever.
Payment for New Students for the Year
The Tertiary Access Payment is a one-off payment available for students who completed year 12 and are commencing tertiary education in the first year. Students are eligible for this payment based on their regional residency, regardless of the full-time level completion courses within degrees, Australian Apprenticeships, and vocational education and training. Students must relocate from a regional area as a patron of education to eligible study institutions.
| Student Location | Initial Payment | Subsequent Payment | Total Possible Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inner Regional | $3,000 | — | $3,000 |
| Outer Regional/Remote | $3,000 | $2,000 | $5,000 |
Criteria for Payment
The applicant must be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident and undergo the program with the age qualification of 22 or under. Year 12 is completed within the prior year for the payment of the recipient. Applicants must be moving from regional areas to eligible study institutions within metropolitan cities.
When Transactions Commence
The payment is completed in full in the first month of the study year. Inner regional students get paid a lump sum of $3000 while outer regional and remote students get paid $3000 upfront and $2000 more later, so long as they stay enrolled as full-time students. Payment of the amount is done only after studying all aspects of the course and confirming all eligibility criteria, as well as after all eligibility checks.
Application Process
Uploading the necessary paperwork, which includes proof of enrollment for the course, as well as other identity documents such as the student’s residence, parental income records, and Centrelink account helps streamline the process. Students can only apply for this after December 31st of their first academic year, and while it is suggested that students apply as soon as possible, applications opened 13 weeks prior to the course start date are the most ideal. Participants are advised to submit course applications as early as possible and this is intended to assist in strengthening the participants.
Combining with Other Support Programs
The recipients of Youth Allowance are able to receive other Centrelink services such as ABSTUDY or Relocation Scholarship. The TAP payment, which is treated as a scholarship, is classified as an equity or as a merit award. It also adds on to other measures for assisting with living expenses, such as rent or other student loans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is eligible for the $5,000 TAP?
Students 22 years or younger migrating from rural or remote areas for tertiary study, are eligible.
Q2: Can TAP be used in conjunction with Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY?
Yes, as all the student support payments, TAP can be received.
Q3: When does payment occur?
Initial payment is made when the term starts, other payments are made later if other criteria are still being satisfied.
Q4: Is the TAP taxable?
TAP is not taxable, it is not considered as income.
