Coding Fares Allowance (FAA) reimbursements and Away from Base entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) 010-20081210

An ABSTUDY or ABSTUDY PES student, and any associated non-student travellers, can lodge a claim to be reimbursed for FAA costs after a journey has been undertaken and completed. Services Australia will assess eligibility for ABSTUDY FAA and reimburse travel costs after the journey.

The details of the journey for the reimbursement must be entered into TMA. The student and/or non-student traveller's claim form or travel request will be assessed for eligibility and the outcome recorded in TMA. A letter, where required, will be sent advising of the outcome of their claim for FAA.

In addition to covering the student's travel costs to attend an approved activity, Away from Base assistance is also intended to cover the reasonable costs of accommodation and meals while away from the normal place of residence.

Costs associated with accommodation and meals can be approved for payment either as part of a residential expenses package or travel allowance.

Away from Base allowances can be payable to either an education provider conducting an approved activity, or to a student participating in an approved activity. Allowances can be paid either in advance or as a reimbursement.

The student’s eligibility to attend the Away from Base activity and the rate of entitlement, payment of meals and accommodation is recorded in TMA on the student's record. A letter will then be sent advising of the outcome of the claim for ABSTUDY Away from Base allowances.

Away from Base entitlements paid in advance must be acquitted within 1 month of the approved activity taking place. Results of the acquittal are also recorded in TMA. No future activities will be funded until the previous activity has been acquitted.

When an assessment is finalised in the TMA, separate letters will auto-generate for each payee recorded. The letter only shows the outcome of the components relevant to the respective payees. For example, within a reimbursement claim, customer claims fares and a third party claims for accommodation and meals. The customer will only see the fares component outcome, whereas the third party will see both the accommodation and meals components.

If an auto-generated letter is not appropriate or not sufficient, do not send the letter.