Assessing eligibility and reimbursing ABSTUDY Fares Allowance (FAA) after the customer has died 010-02100030

ABSTUDY FAA is payable for eligible ABSTUDY students who have to live away from their permanent home to study or are participating in an approved Away from Base activity. ABSTUDY FAA remains payable as a reimbursement if the student passes away.

FAA can be reimbursed after the death of a student to whoever has incurred the travel expenses related to the study.

To be eligible, an applicant needs to lodge an ABSTUDY Fares Allowance Claim (SY032) form by that later of:

• 12 months after the date of travel, or
• before 1 April following the relevant year of study

The amount of FAA payable depends on the mode of transport that was available to the student. Generally, fares are reimbursed at the rate of the cheapest and most practical mode of transport available for that journey and what is reasonable in the circumstances.

Additional costs associated with travel, such as transport terminal transfer, excess baggage and overnight accommodation may also be reimbursed after the travel has been undertaken. However, costs incurred for taking an indirect route or for breaking the journey unnecessarily are not included.

Payment of FAA reimbursements should be made to the student, third party or institution that incurred the expense. Where the deceased customer incurred the expense, the lump sum is to be paid to the customer's account, as it may be assumed that the legal executors of the estate will have access to the bank account. Immediate payment of FAA may be arranged if the authorised person is in financial hardship due to verified costs associated with the student's death.

An Australian Apprentice (apprentice or trainee) is not entitled to FAA for the Australian Apprenticeship.