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Assessing eligibility for Fares Allowance (FAA) for ABSTUDY 010-02100020

This document explains how to determine if a student is eligible for ABSTUDY FAA and the travel type.

FAA for ABSTUDY customers

Table 1

Step	Action
1	Initial contact with students Staff can give general advice about ABSTUDY FAA, but should encourage the student or non-student traveller to test their eligibility, particularly in cases of discretionary decisions. Australian Apprentices are not eligible for FAA. See Table 2 > Step 12. Is the customer a: Student, go to Step 2 Non-student traveller, see Non-student travellers for ABSTUDY
2	Check ABSTUDY status Check if the student is current on ABSTUDY. In Customer First this will display on the Benefit Status field on the Customer Summary screen as ABY/CUR or ABY/ASS. Note: for reimbursements, if the student’s ABSTUDY has been suspended or cancelled, check the Benefit Status (XDS) screen for the student's ABSTUDY status at time of travel. Is the student current on ABSTUDY? Yes, go to Step 9 No, for customers: with an ABSTUDY status of ABY/SUS-ITB, CAN-ITB or CAN-NAS, go to Step 3 attending a graduation event, go to Step 4 whose ABSTUDY is awaiting/needing restoration, go to Step 5 awaiting an ABSTUDY claim to be assessed, go to Step 6 claiming orientation travel in preparation for Year 7 and not ABSTUDY current, and visiting multiple schools for orientation, see Orientation Visit travel for non-current ABSTUDY customers claiming orientation travel in preparation for Year 7 and currently in Year 5 or lower, see Orientation Visit travel for non-current ABSTUDY customers claiming a reimbursement for an orientation activity with a status of ABY/ASS. See Orientation Visit travel for non-current ABSTUDY customers with an ABSTUDY status of ABT/CUR claiming travel to attend a residential school or Testing and Assessment activity, the student may be eligible for FAA and/or Away from Base assistance. See Assessing and processing ABSTUDY Away from Base activities not meeting any of the above. The student is not eligible for FAA, see Table 2 > Step 12
3	Secondary boarding students that have not returned to school Secondary boarding school students, either suspended or cancelled Intent to Board (ITB) or cancelled Not a Student (NAS), are eligible for FAA to travel to school. The travel request is proof of their intention to return to school. Is the student suspended or cancelled ITB or NAS and requesting FAA to travel to school? Yes, go to Step 9 No, the student is not eligible for FAA, see Table 2 > Step 12
4	Graduation event Fares Allowance may be approved if: travel has been requested for a student who has completed studies to attend a graduation event, and they received ABSTUDY Away from Home assistance Is the student requesting travel for a graduation event for studies they received ABSTUDY Away from Home assistance for? Yes, go to Step 9 No, the student is not eligible for FAA, see Table 2 > Step 12
5	Not in receipt of ABSTUDY A student must be in receipt of or approved for ABSTUDY to be eligible for FAA. If the ABSTUDY payment has been suspended or cancelled, reasonable attempts must be made to resolve issues and to restore the ABSTUDY payment. Note: if a secondary school student has travelled to their place of study and their ABSTUDY has since cancelled/suspended, under a duty of care, the trip must be booked to travel the student home. Travel should not be booked for the student to return to study until the student's ABSTUDY has been restored. Is the student's ABSTUDY now displaying as CURrent or ASSessed? Yes, go to Step 9 No, and travel has been requested for the student to return: home, go to Step 9 to the study location, the student is not eligible for FAA. See Table 2 > Step 12
6	Check if an ABSTUDY claim has been lodged In Customer First, go to the Document List (DL) screen. If a claim has been lodged the DL screen will display either a: OLC claim progress DOC, or Progress of ABSTUDY Claim DOC Has a claim for ABSTUDY been lodged but not processed? Yes: For secondary boarding students, go to Step 7 For secondary students in private boarding arrangements and tertiary students, go to Step 8 No, the student is not eligible for FAA, see Table 2 > Step 12
7	Secondary boarding students If an ABSTUDY claim has been submitted and not assessed, review the Progress of ABSTUDY Claim Display on Access (DOA) DOC in Customer First. Determine if all required documentation has been provided to support the ABSTUDY claim. Has all the required evidence been provided for the claim? Yes: If the student is eligible for urgent processing, see Immediate new claim and non-new claim priority processing Tell the student or applicant, travel can be requested by the boarding school/hostel once the ABSTUDY claim has been assessed The student is not eligible for FAA until the ABSTUDY claim has been assessed. See Table 2 > Step 12 No: Tell the student or applicant which documents are required for the ABSTUDY claim to be assessed Travel can be requested by the boarding school/hostel once the ABSTUDY claim has been assessed Annotate the Progress of ABSTUDY Claim DOA DOC The student is not eligible for FAA until the ABSTUDY claim has been assessed. See Table 2 > Step 12
8	Secondary students in private boarding arrangements and tertiary students If an ABSTUDY claim has been submitted and not assessed, review the Progress of ABSTUDY Claim Display on Access (DOA) DOC in Customer First. Determine if all required documentation has been provided to support the ABSTUDY claim. Has all the required evidence been provided for the claim? Yes: If the student is eligible for urgent processing, see Immediate new claim and non-new claim priority processing Tell the student or applicant, travel can be requested once the ABSTUDY claim has been assessed The student is not eligible for FAA until the ABSTUDY claim has been assessed. See Table 2 > Step 12 No: Tell the student or applicant which documents are required for the ABSTUDY claim to be assessed Tell the student or applicant they can request travel once the ABSTUDY claim has been assessed Annotate the Progress of ABSTUDY Claim DOA DOC The student is not eligible for FAA until the ABSTUDY claim has been assessed. See Table 2 > Step 12
9	Check correct education details are recorded Check the student's study details are correct on the Education Details (EDC) screen in Customer First. Note: if travel has been requested for a secondary school student to attend an orientation/interview activity and EDC is coded with a different school, Orientation Visit travel may be approved where the student will still meet an Away from Home criteria if they choose to attend that school. In these circumstances, the study details are considered correct until it is determined which school the student will attend. Are the study details correct? Yes, for: Masters or Doctorate level study, go to Step 11 All other study, go to Step 12 No, go to Step 10
10	Updating education details For Service Officers: Trained in study updates: correct the course details on the student's record check the payment destination on the Payment Instruction (PIPI) screen where applicable to ensure payments are issued to the correct payee. See Payments to third parties and institutions for ABSTUDY Once updates have been finalised, for Masters or Doctorate level study, go to Step 11, for all other study, go to Step 12 Not trained in study updates: send a Fast Note to the ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing team For boarding students, use Fast Note - select Auto text, use Students, ABSTUDY & Apprentices > Update > ABSTUDY boarder ACTION request For all other students, use Fast Note - select Auto text, use Students, ABSTUDY & Apprentices > Update > ABSTUDY Action request and add the keyword URGENT Include all the relevant information about the study change Procedure ends here until study details have been corrected
11	Check if Relocation Allowance has been paid A Masters or Doctorate student who has received Relocation Allowance will not be eligible for FAA. They are deemed to have moved their permanent home to the study location. However, they may still qualify for FAA for an Away from Base activity. Check if Relocation Allowance has been paid on the Supplementary Education Payments (EPSP) screen in Customer First. Has the student already received Relocation Allowance while undertaking their Masters or Doctorate course? Yes, see Table 2 > Step 12 No, go to Step 12
12	Check Away from Home rate eligibility Students must meet one of the Away from Home criteria to qualify for FAA. For secondary students: In Customer First, go to the Independent/Homeless/Away from home summary (NIHS) screen to check for a current Away from Home (AFH) approval If required, reassess the student's Independent/Homeless/Away from home reason and code the change from the relevant event date Note: students in State care, that is those with an AFH reason of AFN or AFY are not eligible for FAA based solely on this criterion. To be eligible for FAA they must meet another AFH reason, confirm AFH entitlement eligibility via the ABSTUDY grant DOC or a DOA DOC on the Document List (DL) screen. See Assessing eligibility for Away from Home entitlements for ABSTUDY customers For tertiary students: In Customer First, go to the home location on the Address History (ADH) screen and check the student's permanent home has not changed Check the study location on the EDC screen and confirm the student will be living away from home Confirm the student's home location is not within reasonable travelling time or distance of their study location Note: a student does not need to be in receipt of the Away from Home rate of ABSTUDY but must meet one of the criteria for approval of Away from Home. For example, a 30-year-old student whose permanent home is more than 90 minutes from the study location meets one of the Away from Home criteria but is paid at the independent rate due to their age rather than the Away from Home rate. Does the student meet one of the criteria for approval of the Away from Home rate for ABSTUDY? Yes, go to Step 13 No, see Table 2 > Step 12
13	Check restrictions on interstate travel Entitlement to interstate travel may vary according to the type, and level of study undertaken by the student. Do restrictions on interstate travel prevent eligibility of FAA? Yes, see Table 2 > Step 12 No, go to Step 14
14	Check travel destination A traveller is normally entitled to travel between their permanent home and the study location. However, travel to or from another destination may be approved in some circumstances. See Determining the appropriate travel destination for ABSTUDY FAA. Is the travel request to or from an approved location? Yes, see Table 2 > Step 1 No, see Table 2 > Step 12

Determining ABSTUDY FAA travel type

Table 2

Step	Action
1	Commencement or end of study travel A full time or concessional study-load tertiary (including Masters and Doctorate) or secondary student is entitled to one trip between the permanent home and the study location at the commencement of study in a year, and one trip at the end of study in a year. Is the student travelling to commence or at the completion of their study? Yes, see Commencement or end of study travel table No, go to Step 2
2	School vacation travel A full-time secondary school student is entitled to one return journey between the permanent home and the study location to coincide with each of the school term vacation breaks. Is the student a secondary student travelling due to school holidays? Yes, see School vacation travel table No, go to Step 3
3	Tertiary and secondary non-schooling travel for study of more than one semester (mid-year travel) A tertiary (including Masters and Doctorate) or secondary non-schooling student undertaking a course of study of more than one semester in duration is entitled to one return journey during the academic year between the study location and permanent home to reunite with their family. Is the student a tertiary or secondary non-schooling student requesting travel after commencing study and before the date they are ceasing Yes, see Tertiary and secondary non-schooling mid-year travel table No, go to Step 4
4	Special Purpose Visit (SPV) travel Students may be eligible SPV travel if one of the following applies: the student in a boarding placement is experiencing serious problems of adjustment or similar circumstances and a visit (sometimes known as pastoral care) is expected to stabilise the situation the student will be participating in graduation or NAIDOC Week events the student will be participating in other school events, such as (but not limited to), a school play, award ceremony, teacher/parent interview or sporting event the student has completed secondary studies: for which they received ABSTUDY Away from Home assistance, and they require Fares Allowance to attend a graduation event Has the travel been requested for one of the above reasons? Yes, see Special Purpose Visit travel table No, go to Step 5
5	Orientation Visit travel For students currently in year 5 or lower, who want to access Orientation Visit travel in preparation for Year 7, see Orientation Visit travel for non-current ABSTUDY customers. Students may be eligible to Orientation Visit travel, if: a secondary school or boarding facility requires: potential students to attend interviews or other selection procedures prior to acceptance students from remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to participate in a transition or similar program in the year prior to commencing secondary studies an existing student is required to attend interviews or other selection procedures for a different school or boarding facility, and the travel is from the current term address location the student is intending to board away from home for the first time and is from: a remote Aboriginal community, or a town in a remote location, and it is likely that the student would experience serious problems of adjustment the student prior to commencing tertiary studies is intending to study in an approved tertiary course of at least one year's duration Is the student travelling for one of the above reasons? Yes, see Orientation Visit travel table No, go to Step 6
6	Compassionate travel A student may be granted compassionate travel when they: are not travelling for an Away from Base activity, and meet one of the circumstances justifying travel for compassionate reasons Is the student applying for compassionate travel? Yes, see Compassionate travel table No, go to Step 7
7	Away from Base travel Students can request travel to attend an Away from Base (AFB) activity. Is the student travelling to attend an AFB activity? Yes, see Assessing and processing ABSTUDY Away from Base activities No, go to Step 8
8	Examination travel An ABSTUDY student may receive FAA to attend an unexpected deferred or supplementary exam (after the end of the normal term or semester period) or where the student is expected to travel to a location other than their normal place of residence to sit an exam. Is the student travelling to attend an exam? Yes, see Examination travel table No, go to Step 9
9	Graduation travel Graduation ceremonies for completed tertiary courses (including Masters and Doctorate) often take place several weeks to several months after course completion. Students who live a substantial distance from the educational provider will usually have returned home in this time. The FAA entitlement is for the actual cost of one return trip (within Australia) by the appropriate mode of transport between the student's permanent home and the location of the graduation ceremony. Has the student completed a tertiary course and is travelling to attend graduation? Yes, see Graduation travel table No, go to Step 10
10	Masters and Doctorate relocation travel FAA is payable to an ABSTUDY student who is in receipt of the Masters and Doctorate Award for assistance to travel to a new permanent home if they need to relocate to another town or city to undertake their study. Is the student travelling to relocate? Yes, see Masters and Doctorate relocation travel table No, go to Step 11
11	Emergency and disaster travel Emergency and disaster travel is available to secondary and tertiary ABSTUDY students where their safety or participation in education is at risk due to experiencing an emergency or disaster. Is the student travelling due to an emergency or disaster? Yes, see Emergency and disaster travel table No, go to Step 12
12	Not eligible for ABSTUDY FAA Tell the student, or applicant they are not eligible for FAA. If the travel request has been received through: ABSTUDY Smart Centre Telephony: Record details on a DOC Explain their review and appeal rights Procedure ends here ABSTUDY Smart Centre Travel Team: Finalise the travel Booking Status as Rejected in the Travel Management Application (TMA) Record details of the decision on the Notes tab. See Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) Procedure ends here

Commencement or end of study travel

Table 3

Step	Action
1	Check if enrolled in an external study course An eligible ABSTUDY student is entitled to one trip between the permanent home and the study location at the commencement and end of study in the course for the year. Students may study their course via distance education/external study (previously known as correspondence study). These students do not qualify for FAA to assist them to undertake travel at the commencement and end of the study period. Note: external students may qualify for FAA assistance to attend compulsory on-campus activities. Is the student undertaking a course via an external enrolment study mode? Yes, go to Step 6 No, go to Step 2
2	Check if travel is to start course or return home at end of study year Check the Student Start Date and Student End Date fields: in Process Direct on the Customer Study Details (EDC) screen, or in Customer First on the Education Course Details (EDC) screen Go to Step 3
3	Check if travel is within a reasonable time period Students must travel within a reasonable period prior to commencing or ceasing study. These periods include: less than one month prior to the course start date, or less than three months after ceasing study, or after the course start date, or before ceasing study Is the student undertaking travel within a reasonable period prior to commencing study or at the end of study? Yes, go to Step 5 No, go to Step 4
4	Justified travel date Ask the student why they are not travelling within a reasonable period of the course commencing or ending. The Resources page contains examples of circumstances that would be deemed as satisfactory. Are the reasons for not travelling satisfactory? Yes, go to Step 5 No, go to Step 6
5	FAA payable The student is only entitled to FAA for travel for one commencement and one end of study per course per year. In Process Direct, select the Fares icon and check if the student has previously claimed FAA for commencement or end of study travel for the course. Has the student already claimed for this specific travel type and course? Yes, go to Step 6 No, tell the student of their eligibility. If the student is claiming: in advance of travel, see Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) after travel has been undertaken, see Processing Fares Allowance and Away from Base entitlements in advance or reimbursements Students claiming reimbursement must complete an ABSTUDY Fares Allowance Claim (SY032). The Resources page has a link to this form All claims for ABSTUDY Fares Allowance are processed by the ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing Team Procedure ends here
6	FAA not payable Tell the student they are not eligible for FAA for travel at commencement and end of study period. If the travel request has been received by: ABSTUDY Smart Centre Telephony: Record details on a DOC Explain their review and appeal rights Procedure ends here ABSTUDY Smart Centre Travel Team: Finalise the travel Booking Status as Rejected in the Travel Management Application (TMA) Record details of the decision on the Notes tab. See Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) Procedure ends here

School vacation travel

Table 4

Step	Action
1	Check level of study Secondary school students are entitled to one return journey between the permanent home and the study location to coincide with each of the term vacation breaks to a maximum of 3 journeys per academic year. Check the Course Level field: in Process Direct on the Customer Study Details (EDC) screen, or in Customer First on the Education Course Details (EDC) screen Is the student undertaking study at secondary school level? Yes, go to Step 2 No, go to Step 6
2	Check if the student has commenced study in the course for the year School vacation travel can only be accessed after the student has commenced study in the course for the year. Check these details on the students record Where they are boarding: Go to the School Fees and Boarding Details (EYSB) screen Check the Boarding School/Hostel Action field. If: AHO or ASC are recorded, the student is boarding at a hostel that is a signatory to the ABSTUDY Hostels Agreement or, a school, including an approved ABSTUDY Homestay arrangement NPB is recorded, the student is boarding privately the field is blank, the student is boarding at a hostel that is not a signatory to the ABSTUDY Standard Hostels Agreement For a student boarding: at a hostel that is a signatory to the ABSTUDY Hostels Agreement or, a school, including an approved ABSTUDY Homestay arrangement, and the request is being assessed: before the third Friday of the first term, review previous travel. If the student has undertaken start of year travel, this can be used as confirmation that the student has commenced. If start of year travel has not been undertaken or there is no evidence that the student has commenced, an outbound call must be made to the education/board provider to confirm that the student has commenced after the third Friday of the student's first term, a first day of attendance must be provided privately or at a hostel that is not a signatory to the ABSTUDY Hostels Agreement: review previous travel. If the student has undertaken start of year travel, this can be used as confirmation that the student has commenced if start of year travel has not been undertaken or there is no evidence that the student has commenced, an outbound call must be made to the education provider to confirm that the student has commenced Has the student commenced study in the course for the year? Yes, go to Step 3 No, go to Step 6
3	Check scheduled school term breaks The end of term trip must coincide with the term vacation break in the State/Territory the student is studying in. To check when the State/Territory term vacation break occurs, see Secondary Semester and Term Dates on the National Course Approvals sub-site. Trips within 2 weeks of the State/Territory school term break can be approved without the need for further verification. If the requested travel date is more than 2 weeks before the State/Territory school term vacation break, check the education providers website to verify when the term ends. If this cannot be verified, contact the person requesting travel to obtain evidence such as a school calendar. Does the trip coincide with the term break in the State/Territory the student is studying in or the school’s verified term break? Yes, go to Step 4 No, go to Step 6
4	Reviewing previous entitlement In Process Direct, select the Fares icon and check if the student has previously claimed school vacation travel for this term as only one journey may be claimed per term. Has FAA for vacation travel already been claimed for the term? Yes, go to Step 6 No, go to Step 5
5	FAA payable Tell the student they are approved and entitled to undertake school vacation travel. If the student is claiming: in advance of travel, see Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) after travel has been undertaken, see Processing Fares Allowance and Away from Base entitlements in advance or reimbursements Students claiming reimbursement must complete an ABSTUDY Fares Allowance Claim (SY032). The Resources page has a link to this form All claims for ABSTUDY Fares Allowance are processed by the ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing Team. Procedure ends here.
6	FAA not payable Tell the student they are not eligible for FAA for school vacation travel. If the travel request has been received by: ABSTUDY Smart Centre Telephony: Record details on a DOC Explain their review and appeal rights Procedure ends here ABSTUDY Smart Centre Travel Team: If the student has not undertaken start of year travel, consider assessing the request under this travel type, otherwise: Finalise the travel Booking Status as Rejected in the Travel Management Application (TMA) Record details of the decision on the Notes tab. See Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) Procedure ends here

Tertiary and secondary non-schooling mid-year travel

Table 5

Step	Action
1	Course requirements An eligible full-time tertiary or secondary non-schooling student enrolled in a course of more than one semester is entitled to one return journey between the study location and the permanent home to be reunited with their family. Check the Education Course Details (EDC) screen: Course Level field to determine the level of course, and Course Start Date and Course End Date field to determine the length of course Is the student undertaking a course that is tertiary or secondary non-schooling level, and more than one semester in length? Yes, go to Step 2 No, go to Step 9
2	Check if student is residing away from permanent home Mid-year travel is only available to students who are living away from their permanent home to undertake a course of study. Is the student living away from their permanent home to undertake study? Yes, go to Step 3 No, go to Step 9
3	Has dependant travel been accessed Mid-year travel is not available to students whose dependants have joined them at the study location, as there is no need to travel to the permanent home location to reunite with their family. In Process Direct, select the Fares icon and check the previous travel bookings to determine if the student has utilised dependant's travel in the year of study to bring their dependent family members to live with them at the study location. Has dependant travel been used in the year of study? Yes, go to Step 9 No, go to Step 4
4	Study commencement Mid-year travel can only be accessed after the student has commenced study in the course for the year. Has the student commenced study in the course for the year? Yes, go to Step 5 No, go to Step 9
5	Travel requirements Is the student travelling between the study location and the permanent home address? Yes, go to Step 7 No, go to Step 6
6	Approval of mid-year travel Tell the student that mid-year travel is usually approved between the permanent home and the study location. Does the student have circumstances that allow travel to be approved to or from a location other than the permanent home address or usual study location? Yes, go to Step 7 No, go to Step 9
7	Check if student is eligible for FAA for mid-year travel In Process Direct, select the Fares icon and check if the student has previously claimed FAA for this travel this year as mid-year travel may only be claimed once per year for a course. Has FAA for mid-year travel already been claimed? Yes, go to Step 9 No, go to Step 8
8	FAA payable Tell the student they are approved and entitled to undertake mid-year travel. If the student is claiming: in advance of travel, see Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) after travel has been undertaken, see Processing Fares Allowance and Away from Base entitlements in advance or reimbursements Students claiming reimbursement must complete an ABSTUDY Fares Allowance Claim (SY032). The Resources page has a link to this form All claims for ABSTUDY Fares Allowance are processed by the ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing Team. Procedure ends here.
9	FAA not payable Tell the student they are not eligible for FAA for mid-year travel. If the travel request has been received by: ABSTUDY Smart Centre Telephony: Record details on a DOC Explain their review and appeal rights Procedure ends here ABSTUDY Smart Centre Travel Team: Finalise the travel Booking Status as Rejected in the Travel Management Application (TMA) Record details of the decision on the Notes tab. See Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) Procedure ends here

Compassionate travel

Table 6

Step	Action
1	Travel request escalation status If a request for additional compassionate journey/s has been escalated for approval and a response has been received: approving the additional journey/s, go to Step 11 declining the additional journey/s, go to Step 12 For all other circumstances, go to Step 2.
2	Variations to school vacation travel If travel has been requested for the student, in Process Direct, select the Fares icon and check if there is future school vacation travel approved within 2 weeks of the compassionate forward travel date. If the student will not be returning to the study location for reasons other than expulsion before the start of the school term, treat the request as a variation to the original school vacation travel. Is the compassionate travel request for the student that meets the above and is not due to expulsion? Yes, vary the original school vacation travel. See Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) No, go to Step 3
3	Eligibility To be eligible for FAA for compassionate travel, the student must: not be travelling for an Away from Base activity, and: meet one of the circumstances justifying travel for compassionate reasons Except for expelled secondary school students boarding at a school or hostel, documentary evidence is not required to support the compassionate travel request if the basis for the compassionate travel request is considered genuine. For pre-booked travel, where the student: boards at a school or hostel, the circumstances justifying compassionate travel must be outlined in the email or Booking Form is in a private boarding arrangement, tertiary or secondary non-schooling, they or the person requesting travel on their behalf must complete the verbal declaration to confirm the information provided is true and correct For FAA reimbursement claims, a statement from the claimant with details of the circumstances justifying compassionate travel is sufficient. Does the student meet the eligibility criteria for FAA for compassionate travel? Yes, for: expelled secondary students boarding at a school or hostel, go to Step 4 expelled secondary students boarding privately, go to Step 5 all other circumstances, go to Step 6 No, go to Step 12
4	Boarding school/hostel applying for travel for an expelled student The boarding school/hostel applying for travel for an expelled student must complete the ABSTUDY expulsion checklist. See the Resources page for the form. The boarding school/hostel must confirm that all the following steps have been taken on the form: The student is at harm to themselves or others, as defined in the respective state/territory requirements The school has followed necessary steps outlined in the state/territory legislative requirements, including contacting parent(s)/guardian(s) and the respective authorities, like the Police, Department of Child Safety/Children services Alternative local solutions, such as relocating the young person with family members, have been exhausted There is no other source of funding available
5	Expelled student payment updates Secondary school boarding students who discontinue study during a school term cease to be eligible for the Away from Home rate from the date they discontinue. ABSTUDY Smart Centre Service Officers must follow the process in Cessation of the ABSTUDY Away from Home rate. ABSTUDY Smart Centre Travel Service Officers must: cancel any future travel that is booked or requested for an expelled secondary boarding student send an ABSTUDY Boarder ACTION request Fast Note to the ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing Team to reassess the student's ABSTUDY rate: use Fast Note - select Auto text, use Students, ABSTUDY & Apprentices > Update > ABSTUDY Boarder ACTION request include the date the student was expelled Does the form confirm that all criteria have been met or is the student boarding privately? Yes, go to Step 11 No, go to Step 12
6	Reason for compassionate travel If the compassionate travel is for: the student to attend a funeral and/or participate in other significant cultural or community obligations, go to Step 7 a non-student traveller to visit an ill or injured student or accompany a student to attend a specialist appointment, go to Step 8 the student to return home for the following reasons, go to Step 9: critical illness or injury of an immediate family member illness or injury to the student
7	Compassionate travel to attend a funeral and/or participate in other significant cultural or community obligations FAA may be approved for a student to: attend the funeral of an immediate or extended family member, and/or participate in a community activity under Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander lore or kinship obligations In some Indigenous communities, mentioning the name of a deceased person may cause distress and/or offence. Attempt to verify the funeral date, passing or event using the Indigenous Funeral Notices homepage or Indigenous Community Events page where possible. The Resources page has links. Students travelling for this reason are still subject to mandatory supervision requirements. A family member may travel as a supervisor if they are escorting the student to the travel location. Have the above requirements been met? Yes, go to Step 9 No, go to Step 12
8	Travel for non-student traveller to visit or accompany ill or injured student FAA may be approved for a family or community member when the student is ill or injured. This can be to visit the student or to accompany them to specialist appointments when it is compulsory for the parent/guardian to attend the appointment. Where the student is suffering from a terminal illness, both parents/guardians may be approved for FAA. Have the above requirements been met? Yes, go to Step 9 No, go to Step 12
9	Compassionate travel is limited to 2 return trips per student per year The following are not included in the limit of 2 return trips for compassionate travel: expulsion travel approved dependents supervisors In Process Direct, select the Fares icon and check if the student has previously claimed FAA for compassionate travel. Have 2 compassionate return trips been claimed in the current calendar year that are included in the limit? Yes, for: ABSTUDY Smart Centre Telephony, approval for additional journey/s will be escalated by an ABSTUDY Travel Service Officer, go to Step 11 ABSTUDY Smart Centre Travel Team, go to Step 10 No, go to Step 11
10	Seeking approval for additional compassionate journey/s The student or approved traveller may be eligible for additional compassionate journey/s at the discretion of the Department of Social Services (DSS). Travel Officers must seek approval for additional journey/s: Complete a direct Service Support Officer (SSO) referral. See Tier 0 technical support - self-sufficiency, and Email the following template and any supporting evidence provided to the ABSTUDY Travel and Away from Base SO5 after submitting the direct SSO referral: We are seeking approval for compassionate travel for (event). Summary of case: Travel dates: Traveller/s name and age: Destination: Permanent home: Study location: ABSTUDY Award of student: Additional costs for ACM/MEA: Yes/No Number of nights: Reason for request: Do not change the Booking Status of the traveller/s until a response is received. If the Booking Status is Pending Approval, place the work item/s on Hold to User. See Table 6 in Work Optimiser for staff Record details of the travel request on the traveller/s booking/s The ABSTUDY Travel and Away from Base SO5 will escalate the enquiry to the Level 2 Policy Helpdesk Procedure ends here.
11	FAA payable FAA for ABSTUDY can be approved for: a student or a non-student traveller that is travelling to visit the student due to illness or injury of the student Non-student traveller For a non-student traveller, see Non-student travellers for ABSTUDY. Note: expelled students who are required to travel home under supervision may have a supervisor travel with them. This can be a parent/guardian or a representative from the education/board provider. Student If the student is claiming: in advance of travel, see Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) after travel has been undertaken, see Processing Fares Allowance and Away from Base entitlements in advance or reimbursements Procedure ends here.
12	FAA is not payable Tell the claimant the student is not eligible for FAA for compassionate travel. If the travel request has been received by: ABSTUDY Smart Centre Telephony: Record details on a DOC Explain their review and appeal rights Procedure ends here ABSTUDY Smart Centre Travel Team: Finalise the travel Booking Status as Rejected in the Travel Management Application (TMA) Record details of the decision on the Notes tab. See Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) Procedure ends here

Examination travel

Table 7

Step	Action
1	A student is seeking Fares Allowance (FAA) for examination travel Was the student a full-time ABSTUDY student and eligible for FAA in the study period to which the exam relates? Yes, and the exam venue is at: a place other than the student's normal place of study, go to Step 4 the student's normal place of study, go to Step 2 No, go to Step 6
2	Exam outside the usual examination period A full-time tertiary or secondary non-school student would be expected to remain at the place of study until the end of their participation in the normal examination period. They would only qualify for examination travel for unexpected supplementary or deferred examinations. Note: a deferred exam may have only been delayed by a few days. See the Resources page for an example. Is the date set for the exam outside the usual examination period? Yes, go to Step 3 No, go to Step 6
3	Deferred or supplementary exam A student can only qualify for examination travel for unexpected supplementary or deferred examinations. Deferred exams - an exam may be deferred because the student was unable to take it at the set time due to unforeseen circumstances. The exam will be rescheduled to a time at which the student is able to take it, and which suits the education provider Supplementary exams - where progress in a course of study depends on passing all subjects in a semester or year, a student who fails a single subject may be given the chance to re-sit that exam rather than repeat the whole semester/year. This may also happen where the failed subject is the last one needed to complete the course Note: evidence of deferred or supplementary exam will be required. Acceptable evidence would be a notification from the educational provider confirming that the student is required to take a deferred or supplementary exam. Is the exam a deferred or supplementary exam? Yes, go to Step 4 No, go to Step 6
4	Reasonable travelling time Is the exam venue within reasonable travelling time of the usual place of residence? Yes, go to Step 6 No, go to Step 5
5	FAA payable Tell the student they are eligible for FAA for examination travel. If the student is claiming: in advance of travel, see Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) after travel has been undertaken, see Processing Fares Allowance and Away from Base entitlements in advance or reimbursements Students claiming reimbursement must complete an ABSTUDY Fares Allowance Claim (SY032) by the relevant closing date. The Resources page has a link to this form All claims for ABSTUDY Fares Allowance are processed by the ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing Team. Procedure ends here.
6	FAA not payable Tell the student they are not eligible for FAA for examination travel. If the travel request has been received by: ABSTUDY Smart Centre Telephony: Record details of discussion on a DOC Explain their review and appeal rights Procedure ends here ABSTUDY Smart Centre Travel Team: Finalise the travel Booking Status as Rejected in the Travel Management Application (TMA) Record details of the decision on the Notes tab. See Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) Procedure ends here

Graduation travel

Table 8

Step	Action
1	Fares Allowance (FAA) to attend a graduation ceremony Graduation ceremonies for completed tertiary courses often take place several weeks to several months after course completion. Students who live a substantial distance from the educational provider will usually have returned home in this time. Graduation travel allows them to return to the study location to attend the graduation ceremony for their completed course. Graduation travel can be approved for a completed: tertiary course that is equivalent to a course of at least two years full-time duration, or honours degree, or postgraduate degree Is the graduation ceremony for a completed course/degree type listed above? Yes, go to Step 2 No, go to Step 5
2	ABSTUDY assistance Did the student receive ABSTUDY assistance for any period of the course? Yes, go to Step 3 No, go to Step 5
3	Approval of FAA for travel away from home To qualify for graduation travel, a student must have been approved for one of the following: FAA to undertake the course away from their permanent home FAA to undertake their course through a combination of external studies and face-to-face teaching Travel assistance funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) Away from Base Program to undertake their course through a combination of distance education and face-to-face mixed-mode study, that is, Away from Base residential schools funded by the NIAA Away from Base Program Graduation travel is not available if, for the duration of their course, a student only received FAA for the following: to participate in a placement or field trip a testing and assessment program under the provisions of Away from Base activities travel During the course was the student approved for FAA to undertake their study or participate in residential school/s or received travel assistance funded by the NIAA Away from Base Program to undertake mixed-mode study? Yes, go to Step 4 No, go to Step 5
4	FAA payable The student is eligible for one return trip (within Australia) between their permanent home and the location of the graduation ceremony. FAA will be payable up to (but not to exceed) the equivalent FAA rate to which the student was entitled during study. See the Resources page for an example of determining the equivalent rate payable. The education provider that delivered the course will need to confirm that the student will be graduating from the course. There is no entitlement to meals or accommodation allowances except where the appropriate mode of transport means the journey must be broken. If the student is claiming: in advance of travel, see Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) after travel has been undertaken, see Processing Fares Allowance and Away from Base entitlements in advance or reimbursements Students claiming reimbursement must complete an ABSTUDY Fares Allowance Claim (SY032) by the relevant closing date. The Resources page has a link to this form All claims for ABSTUDY Fares Allowance are processed by the ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing Team. Procedure ends here.
5	FAA not payable Tell the student they are not eligible for FAA for graduation travel. If the travel request has been received by: ABSTUDY Smart Centre Telephony: Record details on a DOC Explain their review and appeal rights Procedure ends here ABSTUDY Smart Centre Travel Team: Finalise the travel Booking Status as Rejected in the Travel Management Application (TMA) Record details of the decision on the Notes tab. See Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) Procedure ends here

Masters and Doctorate relocation travel

Table 9

Step	Action
1	Check student receives Living Allowance or ABSTUDY PES Masters and Doctorate relocation travel is to assist a Masters/Doctorate student, and their partner and dependent child/ren, to travel to their new permanent home at the place of study. Is the student in receipt of Living Allowance or ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) (as a full-time student or concessional study load student) under the Masters/Doctorate Award? Yes, go to Step 2 No, go to Step 4
2	Relocate to another town or city Will the student (and their partner and dependent child/ren if applicable) relocate to another town or city to take up their Masters/Doctorate studies? This will involve a change in their permanent home address. Yes, go to Step 3 No, go to Step 4
3	FAA payable The student is entitled to relocation travel and Relocation Allowance. The student (and their partner and dependent child/ren if applicable) are entitled to a one-way journey from their existing permanent home to the study location. Travel for the student, partner and/or dependents will be paid at the economy or student concessional rate of either the: airfare, if they travelled by air, or airfare or travel costs, whichever is the lesser, if they travelled by surface transport If the student is claiming: in advance of travel, see Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) after travel has been undertaken, see Processing Fares Allowance and Away from Base entitlements in advance or reimbursements Students claiming reimbursement must complete an ABSTUDY Fares Allowance Claim (SY032). The Resources page has a link to this form All claims for ABSTUDY Fares Allowance are processed by the ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing Team. Procedure ends here.
4	FAA not payable The student is not eligible for Masters and Doctorate relocation travel. If the travel request has been received by: ABSTUDY Smart Centre Telephony: Record details on a DOC Explain their review and appeal rights Procedure ends here ABSTUDY Smart Centre Travel Team: Finalise the travel Booking Status as Rejected in the Travel Management Application (TMA) Record details of the decision on the Notes tab. See Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) Procedure ends here

Orientation Visit travel

Table 10

Step	Action
1	Orientation Visit travel For Orientation Visit travel requests, the following must be provided: students attending boarding school or hostels, the requirement for the student and/or non-student traveller to attend must be outlined in the email or Booking form students with private boarding arrangements, a statement from the school outlining the requirement for the student and/or non-student traveller to attend students attending a transition or similar program, a statement or event itinerary from the boarding provider or school with details of the program. The requirement for the student and/or non-student traveller to attend must be outlined in the email or Booking form tertiary students, a statement from the provider outlining the requirement for the student to attend Orientation Visit travel is required for student/s or approved non-student travellers when: secondary school or boarding facility requires prospective students to attend an interview or selection process prior to acceptance, go to Step 2 student is intending to study in an approved tertiary course of at least one year's duration, go to Step 3 secondary student is from a remote Aboriginal community or they are from a town in a remote location and it is likely they will experience serious problems of adjustment, go to Step 4 boarding provider or school is seeking approval for FAA for a transition or similar program for students from remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Check the Organisation record to determine if a Display on Access (DOA) DOC has been recorded approving the program. If a DOA DOC has: been recorded, go to Step 6 not been recorded, go to Step 5 none of the above, go to Step 7
2	Prospective student/s attending orientation activities, interviews or selection processes Students can travel to attend orientation activities, enrolment interviews or other selection processes prior to: commencing secondary boarding moving between secondary boarding institutions Some students may have a requirement to attend an interview or selection process in the year/s prior to commencing at secondary school. For these students a new ABSTUDY claim is required if they are not already current on ABSTUDY. This is to confirm the student will meet the eligibility requirements once they commence at the new school. See Early claims. In some cases, there may be a number of students from the same community that are required to complete an interview or selection process. It may be more cost effective for representatives from the education provider or hostel to travel to the community to conduct these activities. In such cases, only one visit may be approved unless there are exceptional or unforeseen circumstances that mean another visit is required. To assess these requests see Non-student travellers for ABSTUDY. Is the student and/or non-student traveller attending a confirmed interview or selection process? Yes, go to Step 6 No, go to Step 7
3	Tertiary study For Orientation Visit travel for tertiary study, the student must be: intending to study in an approved tertiary course of at least one year's duration, and attending a confirmed interview or selection process relating to the tertiary course Does the student meet all the above? Yes, go to Step 6 No, go to Step 7
4	Intending secondary boarder Students may access Orientation Visit travel: if they are intending to: board away from home to attend secondary school, and attend a confirmed orientation activity if they are from a: remote Aboriginal community, or town in a remote location, and the student is likely to experience serious problems of adjustment Does the student meet the above? Yes, go to Step 6 No, go to Step 7
5	Boarding provider or school transition program A boarding provider or school can seek approval for FAA for a transition or similar program to assist students from remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with their adjustment to secondary studies and boarding. It is acceptable for such programs to be conducted across more than one visit. For approval to be given, the program must include events/activities at the boarding facility and/or school that are likely to assist with this adjustment. These include but are not limited to: A tour of the facilities Meetings or interviews with school/boarding staff Activities with other prospective and current students Does the statement from the boarding provider or school outline events that are likely to assist with the student’s transition to boarding? Yes: Place a Display on Access (DOA) DOC on the boarding provider's or school's Organisation record confirming the approval, program name, dates and details Upload a copy of the statement or event itinerary to the Organisation record Go to Step 6 No, go to Step 7
6	FAA payable The student and/or non-student traveller is eligible for Orientation Visit travel. Where a family or community member is travelling with the student, they will be considered to be a non-student traveller. Students and non-student travellers may be eligible to claim accommodation costs for their stay. See Additional costs associated with travel for ABSTUDY. Travel is approved to undertake a return journey between the home address and a term address. Travel to a destination other than the permanent home or usual study location may be available in certain circumstances. See the Resources page for scenarios. Note: when paying a reimbursement for an orientation activity with a status of ABY/ASS, see Orientation Visit travel for non-current ABSTUDY customers. If the student is claiming: in advance of travel, see Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) after travel has been undertaken, see Processing Fares Allowance and Away from Base entitlements in advance or reimbursements All claims for ABSTUDY Fares Allowance are processed by the ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing Team. Procedure ends here.
7	FAA not payable Student and/or non-student traveller are not entitled to Fares Allowance for Orientation Visit travel. If the travel request has been received by: ABSTUDY Smart Centre Telephony: Record details on a DOC Explain their review and appeal rights Procedure ends here ABSTUDY Smart Centre Travel Team: Finalise the travel Booking Status as Rejected in the Travel Management Application (TMA) Record details of the decision on the Notes tab. See Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) Procedure ends here

Special Purpose Visit (SPV) travel

Table 11

Step	Action
1	Variations to school vacation travel If travel has been requested for the student, in Process Direct, select the Fares icon. Check if there is future school vacation travel approved within 2 weeks of the SPV forward travel date. If the student will not be returning to the study location before the start of the school term, treat the request as a variation to the original school vacation travel. Is the SPV travel request for the student and meets the above? Yes, vary the original school vacation travel. See Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) No, go to Step 2
2	Special Purpose Visit (SPV) travel SPV travel for student/s or approved non-student travellers for: secondary student participating in: NAIDOC week activities graduation events go to Step 3 secondary student currently in a boarding school or hostel experiencing adjustment problems or similar circumstances not resulting in suspension, go to Step 4 secondary student participating in a school event, including but not limited to: school play award ceremonies parent/teacher interviews sporting events go to Step 5 a response received from the Level 2 Policy Helpdesk, go to Step 8 none of the above, go to Step 10
3	NAIDOC Week and graduation events A return journey may be approved for a reasonable number of approved travellers between the traveller's home community and the term address for NAIDOC Week and graduation events. Graduation events SPV travel for a Year 12 formal that can been completed within the same journey as the Year 12 graduation event, is considered as part of the graduation event. NAIDOC Week and graduation events do not contribute to the SPV entitlement of 3 events per calendar year. Where the student: attends boarding school or boards at a hostel where the hostel make travel arrangements on behalf of the student, the requirements for the student or non-student traveller to attend must be outlined in the email or Booking form is in a private boarding arrangement, a statement from the school must be provided outlining the requirements for the student or non-student traveller to attend has completed secondary studies, for which they received ABSTUDY Away from Home assistance, SPV travel to attend graduation events for the completed studies can be accessed by the student or a return journey between their home community and the term address Is the SPV travel request for a confirmed NAIDOC Week or graduation event? Yes, go to Step 9 No, go to Step 10
4	Serious problems of adjustment or similar circumstances A student may be considered to have serious problems of adjustment at their boarding or term location if they have: prolonged homesickness poor attendance at classes behavioural problems which affect the student's academic performance and/or, are in serious breach of the school's or boarding education provider's standards of behaviour Where the student: attends boarding school or boards at a hostel where the hostel make travel arrangements on behalf of the student, the requirements for the student or non-student traveller to attend must be outlined in the travel authorised booking form is in a private boarding arrangement, a statement from the school must be provided outlining the requirements for the student or non-student traveller to attend Note: a trip from the term address to the home address should only be approved as a last resort. This would need to increase the likeliness of the student remaining in education. This does not contribute to the SPV entitlement of 3 events per calendar year. Is the student experiencing confirmed serious problems of adjustment or similar circumstances where a visit is expected to stabilise the situation? Yes, go to Step 9 No, go to Step 10
5	School related events A return journey may be approved for the student and/or reasonable number of approved travellers between the traveller's home community and: the normal study location, or a temporary study location A maximum of 3 events per calendar year can be approved for Special Purpose Visit travel. Where the student: attends boarding school or boards at a hostel where the hostel make travel arrangements on behalf of the student, the requirements for the student or non-student traveller to attend must be outlined in the authorised booking form is in a private boarding arrangement, a statement from the school must be provided outlining the requirements for the student or non-student traveller to attend Is the SPV travel request for a confirmed school event? Yes, and the student has: reached the limit for the calendar year, go to Step 6 not reached the limit for the calendar year, go to Step 9 No, go to Step 10
6	Additional Assistance in lieu of Fares Allowance In exceptional circumstances, ABSTUDY Additional Assistance may be approved in lieu of FAA for an additional journey, even when the limits for the calendar year has been reached. Additional SPV travel may only be approved if an emergency or disaster is preventing the student from taking part in their studies or getting to their study location. All requests for additional SPV are payable at the discretion of the Department of Social Services (DSS). Does the request for SPV student meet the above criteria? Yes, go to Step 7 No, go to Step 10
7	Completing a direct Service Support Officer (SSO) referral Travel Service Officers must seek approval for ABSTUDY Additional Assistance in lieu of Fares Allowance by: obtaining a quote from Corporate Travel Management (CTM) for the cost of travel and accommodation using the Request to TMC for quote email template calculating the cost of meals using the ATO meal allowance rate for the destination, for assistance see Additional costs associated with travel for ABSTUDY completing a direct SSO referral once costs have been confirmed. See Tier 0 technical support - self-sufficiency emailing the following template and any supporting documents to the ABSTUDY Travel and Away from Base SO5 after submitting the direct SSO referral: 'We are seeking approval for ABSTUDY Additional Assistance in lieu of Fares Allowance for additional Special Purpose Visit journey/s. Summary of case Travel dates: Traveller/s name and age: Destination: Departure location: Permanent home: Study location: ABSTUDY Award of student: Additional costs for ACM/MEA: Yes/No Number of nights: Cost per unapproved traveller: - Travel $0.00 - Accommodation $0.00 - Meals $0.00 Reason for request:' Do not change the Booking Status of the traveller/s until a response is received. If the Booking Status is Pending Approval, place the work item/s on Hold to User. See Table 6 in Work Optimiser for staff. Record details of the travel request on the traveller/s booking/s The ABSTUDY Travel and Away from Base SO5 will escalate the enquiry to the Level 2 Policy Helpdesk Procedure ends here
8	Level 2 Policy Helpdesk response The assessing Travel Officer will be provided with the Level 2 Policy Helpdesk response via the ABSTUDY Travel and Away from Base SO5. Has the additional SPV travel been approved? Yes, go to Step 9 No, go to Step 10
9	FAA payable The student and/or non-student traveller is eligible for Special Purpose Visit travel. Where a family or community member is travelling with the student, they will be considered a non-student traveller. Travel is approved to undertake a return journey between the home and term address. In some circumstances travel to a destination other than the permanent home or usual study location may be available. See the Resources page for assessment scenarios. If the student is claiming: in advance of travel, see Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) after travel has been undertaken, see Processing Fares Allowance and Away from Base entitlements in advance or reimbursements Students returning home due to serious problems of adjustment Students who return home temporarily due to serious problems of adjustment remain eligible from the Away from Home rate of Living Allowance if they remain enrolled at the education provider and intend to return to studies. However, any family or community members approved for SPV to attend a school event that the student will not be participating in, are no longer eligible for this travel. Travel Service Officers must: cancel any future SPV travel booked or requested for approved non-student travellers for the period the student will be at home All claims for ABSTUDY Fares Allowance are processed by the ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing Team. Procedure ends here.
10	FAA not payable Student and/or non-student traveller are not entitled to travel for Special Purpose Visit. If the travel request has been received by: ABSTUDY Smart Centre Telephony: Record details on a DOC Explain their review and appeal rights Procedure ends here ABSTUDY Smart Centre Travel Team: Finalise the travel Booking Status as Rejected in the Travel Management Application (TMA) Record details of the decision on the Notes tab. See Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) Procedure ends here

Emergency and disaster travel

Table 12

Step	Action
1	Request travel assistance Emergency and disaster travel allows eligible students to return to their home or study location or travel to an alternative safe location if they are affected by an emergency or disaster. A student/applicant or third party organisation can request travel assistance for emergency or disaster travel. There are no limits to emergency and disaster travel. Does the approved traveller live away from home or are they participating in an Away from Base activity? Yes, go to Step 2 No, go to Step 8
2	Emergency or disaster travel Has the approved traveller been affected by an emergency or disaster event that can be confirmed through a reputable source, such as a website or the education/board provider? Yes, go to Step 6 No, go to Step 3
3	Identifying students requiring case escalation for assessment Service Officers must escalate claims for assessment by the Department of Social Services (DSS) where there are concerns around the approved traveller's circumstances meeting the definition of experiencing an emergency or disaster event. Are there concerns around the approved traveller experiencing an emergency or disaster? Yes, go to Step 6 No, go to Step 4
4	Evidence Approved travellers that are impacted by an emergency or disaster that cannot be confirmed through a reputable source will need to provide evidence of their circumstances. Evidence can include: a written statement from a boarding school/hostel or an education provider a statutory declaration by the approved traveller or applicant Has sufficient evidence been provided? Yes, go to Step 6 No, go to Step 5
5	Unable to provide evidence In some circumstances approved travellers may not be able to immediately provide evidence of their situation. To ensure we do not place the approved traveller at further risk, it may be acceptable to approve FAA and have the evidence provided once the approved traveller is in a safe location. Is it suitable for the approved traveller to provide evidence after the journey? Yes: In Customer First, create a manual review on the Review Registration (RVR) screen and complete the fields as follows: - Service Reason: ABY - Review Reason: REV (Manual Review) - Due Date: 21 days from today's date - Source: INT - Date of Receipt: today's date - Notes: 'Evidence required after Emergency and/or Disaster travel. See OB 010-02100020 to action.' - Keywords: ACTABY and TRAVEL - Workgroup: leave blank - Position: leave blank - Transfer to Region: ABS The review will mature on the Due Date coded in the RVR activity. Workload Management will allocate the review for manual action Tell the approved traveller if they do not provide sufficient evidence, an overpayment will be raised Go to Step 6 No, go to Step 8
6	Escalation All claims for emergency and disaster travel require assessment by DSS. Complete a direct SSO referral. See Tier 0 technical support - self-sufficiency Email the following information and any supporting documents to the ABSTUDY Travel and Away from Base SO5 after submitting the direct SSO referral: Details of approved traveller impacted (CRN, name, emergency contact) Details of the requested travel journey Details of the emergency or disaster being experienced and the impact to the approved traveller Do not change the Booking Status of the traveller/s until a response is received. If the Booking Status is Pending Approval, place the work item/s on Hold to User. See Table 6 in Work Optimiser for staff Record details of the travel request and pending DSS assessment on the Notes tab The ABSTUDY Travel and Away from Base SO5 will escalate the enquiry to the Level 2 Policy Helpdesk and advise the assessing Travel Officer of the outcome Once DSS have determined the customer is: Eligible, go to Step 7 Not eligible, go to Step 8
7	FAA payable FAA for emergency and disaster travel is approved. If the student is claiming: in advance of travel, see Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) after travel has been undertaken, see Processing Fares Allowance and Away from Base entitlements in advance or reimbursements Students claiming reimbursement must complete an ABSTUDY Fares Allowance Claim (SY032) by the relevant closing date. The Resources page has a link to this form All claims for ABSTUDY Fares Allowance for emergency and disaster travel are processed by the ABSTUDY Travel Team. Procedure ends here.
8	FAA not payable Tell the education provider, parent, or student they are not eligible for FAA for emergency and disaster travel. If the travel request has been received by: ABSTUDY Smart Centre Telephony: Record details on a DOC Explain their review and appeal rights Procedure ends here ABSTUDY Smart Centre Travel Team: Finalise the travel Booking Status as Rejected in the Travel Management Application (TMA) Record details of the decision on the Notes tab. See Authorising and coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) Procedure ends here