Centrelink, as part of the Commonwealth Government in Australia, has made an announcement in regard to the added incentive of finances for students in 2025. Students receiving Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY will be able to access feasible amounts of up to $5,000, to help ease the costs of relocating for the purpose of studying. This along with other indexed payment rises will assist in alleviating financial stress faced by young Australians in education and apprenticeship programs.
One-off Tertiary Access Payment of up to $5,000
An essential example of this is the Tertiary Access Payment which is TAP for short. This is a one-off payment and is provided to students who need to relocate for the purpose of attending their first year of college or taking up an apprenticeship. The payment range is determined by the students’ home and varies from $3,000 to $5,000 depending on their home. TAP is designed to help students with relocation as well as other expenses such as accommodation, transportation, and settling payments. Relocating to a new country for the first time can be accompanied with many costs. Students who are eligible are allowed to apply 13 weeks before commencing their full time work or commencing an Australian Apprenticeship.
Regular Payment Increases for Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY
Starting on September 20, 2025, recipients of Youth Allowance will also receive an increase in payments every two weeks. Payments for single recipients without children will rise by approximately $16.20, which will raise the maximum payment to over $1,026 per fortnight. ABSTUDY payments will also experience some increase, with living allowance rates rising by $11.40 to $13.40 more, depending on the person’s situation. These increases are part of annual indexation to enable payments to adjust with inflation.
Eligibility and Application Process
Students wishing to obtain these payments must first link their Centrelink accounts to their myGov accounts for the purpose of applying. Those without a myGov account must first register. Students must be full-time, moving from designated regional or remote areas, and enrolled in some recognized studies or apprenticeship programs to qualify. Supporting documents such as proof of course enrollment, residential address, and parental income (if applicable) may be required during the application stage.
Changes in Financial Support to Students
For students supporting themselves studying away from home, these changes offer additional support to cope with the increasing cost of living and relocation. Increasing the Youth Allowances by paying a once off TAP, also a free payment, the government wishes to ease the financial stress paid by many young students in Australia, to continue studying and advance their skills.
Other Payment Changes
As with the student payments, other Centrelink payments, such as the Carer Allowance and Age Pension, which will commence indexation increases in the latter part of 2024 in response to the continuing challenges concerning cost of living, also increasing efforts to alleviate the burden of social security recipients. These kinds of changes demonstrate the government support to strengthen the social welfare system and the education system as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can receive the $5,000 Tertiary Access Payment?
Geographically, students who relocate from and reside in remote and regional Australia to undertake full time tertiary education or training have the ability to apply, dependent on where their home is situated.
2. When will the new payment rates come into effect?
Changes to the Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY rates will commence from September 20, 2025.
3. Am I able to hold both the Tertiary Access Payment and Youth Allowance?
During the first year of study, students may qualify to hold TAP in conjunction with Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY
