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Coding Away from Home rate for ABSTUDY tertiary students 010-02060030



This document outlines information for staff responsible for coding a claim, or a review of the Away from Home rate for dependent tertiary ABSTUDY students.

Applying for the Away from Home rate

ABSTUDY claimants can apply for Away from Home rate in the initial claim by:

Customers can also apply for the Away from Home rate while in receipt of ABSTUDY allowances by providing details of the home and/or study circumstances in a statement (verbal or written).

Cessation of the Away from Home rate

If a customer ceases to qualify for the ABSTUDY Away from Home rate, see Cessation of the ABSTUDY Away from Home rate.

Claim lodged for the purpose of attending an interview

Orientation and Special Purpose Visit travel is available if:

  • the student is intending to study in an approved tertiary course of at least one year's duration at the study location, and
  • has completed secondary studies in the previous year

In order to claim this type of travel, a full ABSTUDY assessment is required for the period the student is intending to study.

Relocation Scholarships

Dependent students living away from home studying an approved scholarship course may also be qualified to receive Relocation Scholarship. See Relocation Scholarship (RS) eligibility.

Note: assess ABSTUDY students in State Care (not receiving Foster Care Allowance) the same way as ABSTUDY dependent students who are living away from home for the purposes of Relocation Scholarship.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) impacts on the Away from Home rate – 2020, 2021 and 2022 academic years

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some students were required to leave their term accommodation. Many students transitioned to online study, as face-to-face teaching was unavailable.

Students who were receiving the Away from Home (AFH) rate and temporarily transitioned to online learning because of COVID-19, remained eligible for the AFH rate. To continue to be eligible for the AFH rate, tertiary students must have returned to face-to-face study as soon as it became available.

Where a student had to move out of education provider accommodation (such as on campus) and were temporarily staying at their home address, they remained eligible for the AFH rate providing they:

  • remained enrolled in their course of study, and
  • intended to return to their campus accommodation as soon as the education provider allowed them to return

In this case, the change in accommodation should be assessed as temporary. See Returning to the permanent home when in receipt of the Away from Home rate of ABSTUDY.

Cessation of the ABSTUDY Away from Home rate

Completing an ABSTUDY form

Away from Home rate for ABSTUDY

Processing an ABSTUDY claim

ABSTUDY Hostel Agreements

Calculating commencement date of Away from Home rate for ABSTUDY

Remote Area Allowance (RAA)

ABSTUDY Fares Allowance (FAA)

Rent Assistance (RA)

Payment of Residential Costs Option (RCO) for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES)

ABSTUDY School Fees Allowance (SFA) (Group 2)

Payee for ABSTUDY Away from Home allowances

Payments to third parties and institutions for ABSTUDY

Creating and updating Organisation records for ABSTUDY and Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) purposes

Processing end of course reviews for ABSTUDY, ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) and PES students