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Interstate travel for ABSTUDY 010-02100220

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This document outlines rules for entitlement to interstate travel for ABSTUDY students claiming Fares Allowance (FAA).

Rules for entitlement to interstate travel

Restrictions on entitlement to FAA may apply to students who wish to do their course of study in an Australian State or Territory other than where their permanent home is located.

Entitlement to interstate travel will vary according to the type and level of study undertaken by the student.

Restrictions on interstate travel will apply to:

  • secondary school students
  • Certificate and Enabling courses
  • Statement of Attainment courses, and
  • an Away from Base field trip or placement

An Australian Apprentice is not entitled to FAA for the Australian Apprenticeship.

Eligibility for interstate travel

FAA is only payable to students travelling interstate to do their course or Away from Base activity in certain circumstances.

A student may be eligible for interstate travel if:

  • they live near a State/Territory border
  • it is more cost effective for them to travel interstate, rather than intrastate
  • they have been granted an away from home criteria allowing them to travel interstate. For example, a scholarship
  • the student has a sibling approved to attend the same interstate school
  • they are attending an approved special school or a special assistance school not available in their home state/territory

For more information to check if a student is eligible for interstate travel, see the Process page.

The Resources page contains a link to the Interstate Cost Effectiveness Assessments spreadsheet, a list of the costliest intrastate travel locations for each State/Territory. It also contains examples of determining eligibility for interstate travel, contact details, links to the ABSTUDY Fares Allowance Claim form (SY032), the Services Australia website and Unique Courses exempt from restrictions on interstate travel.

Defining levels of tertiary study

Away from Base assistance for ABSTUDY

Completing the ABSTUDY Fares Allowance Claim (SY032)

Reimbursing fares and additional costs after travel has been undertaken for ABSTUDY

Coding pre-booked Fares Allowance (FAA) entitlements for ABSTUDY and ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES)

Coding Fares Allowance (FAA) Pensioner Education Supplement (PES)