A recent change by Centrelink is giving hope to more young Australians who dream of studying away from home. The government has relaxed the rules for a special one-time payment called the Tertiary Access Payment (TAP). This financial boost, which can be as high as $5,000, is now available to more students who move from rural or remote areas to attend university or TAFE.
Earlier, the TAP was only given to those who went straight from Year 12 to higher education. But now, even those who took a gap year can apply. This is a major step forward for students who need time before starting their studies but still need financial support to relocate.
The change aims to help students who face extra costs while moving for education. According to Centrelink, young Australians aged 22 or under who meet the updated criteria are now eligible. With this change, many students who were previously excluded can now access this benefit.
What Is the $5,000 Tertiary Access Payment?
The Tertiary Access Payment is a one-time Centrelink payment that helps students from regional or remote areas move away from home to begin tertiary studies. It is meant to reduce the financial burden of relocation, travel, and initial living expenses.
There are two levels of payment based on the student’s home location:
- $5,000, paid in two instalments, for students from outer regional, remote, or very remote areas.
- $3,000, paid as a lump sum, for those from inner regional areas.
This payment is separate from other Centrelink supports such as Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY, or Relocation Scholarships, meaning eligible students can receive it in addition to other forms of aid.
Expanded Eligibility: Who Can Receive the TAP?
To qualify for this Centrelink cash benefit, students must meet several eligibility requirements:
- Must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- From an inner regional, outer regional, remote, or very remote area.
- Moving to study at least 90 minutes away from their family home (via public transport).
- Enrolled in a course at Certificate IV level or higher (including TAFE or university).
- Must have completed Year 12 or an equivalent qualification.
- Must be 22 years or younger on the day their course begins.
- If still dependent on parents, their parental income must be below $250,000 per year.
The most notable change is that students who did not go directly from Year 12 to higher education can now apply after taking a gap year, opening up access to many who were previously disqualified.
How to Check If You’re Eligible
Services Australia has made it easier for students to confirm whether their location qualifies by offering a Location-Checking Tool on the official website. Students simply enter their residential address, and the tool will confirm if the area is classified as regional or remote.
Hank Jongen, General Manager at Services Australia, encouraged young Australians to use the tool so they “don’t miss out” on this opportunity. He stressed that this payment is meant for students who may be held back by the high costs of moving away to study.
How and When to Apply for the TAP
Students can submit their TAP application anytime between 1 January and 31 December of the year they begin their course. The entire process is completed online via myGov and the student’s Centrelink account.
Step-by-Step Application Process:
- Link Centrelink to myGov
- If the student doesn’t already have a myGov account, they’ll need to create one.
- The Centrelink service must be linked for the claim to begin.
- Gather Required Documents
Students must have the following information ready:
- Details of the course (institution name, duration, course type)
- Parent or guardian’s income details (if dependent)
- Residential address of where the student will live while studying If applying after 31 December, a valid reason for the delay must also be submitted.
- Submit Online Claim
- After logging in, select the Tertiary Access Payment option.
- Fill out the necessary information and submit the application.
- A Verification Code will be generated for parents to confirm income via the Advise Parental Income service.
- Confirm Study and Address Details
- Students may receive a request to confirm their residential address and enrollment status.
- Failing to confirm this could delay payment.
- Await Decision
- Centrelink will notify applicants of their outcome in writing.
- If there is a disagreement with the result, students can request a review.
Why This Change Matters for Rural Students
In 2023, the number of regional and remote students entering higher education fell by 1.1%, with only 79,396 enrolments. Experts suggest that rising living and relocation costs are discouraging students in rural areas from continuing their education after high school.
This rule change helps to level the playing field by ensuring that students who chose to delay their education are not punished for it. Many young Australians take time off after Year 12 for personal development, work, or financial reasons. With this update, those students now have a second chance to receive the TAP benefit.
The expanded eligibility reflects the government’s understanding that educational timelines are not always linear, and that financial support must be flexible to match real-life situations.
Official Encouragement and Government Vision
The Australian government has emphasized its commitment to reducing education inequality for rural and regional students. Expanding TAP is part of a broader effort to ensure that location and income don’t become barriers to opportunity.
Services Australia has launched an awareness campaign encouraging eligible students to apply early, check eligibility online, and prepare documents in advance.
Students are advised to regularly check myGov, monitor messages from Centrelink, and ensure all details are up to date to avoid delays.
