Reimbursing fares for the use of a private vehicle or taxi for Youth Allowance (YA), Austudy and Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) 010-04060060
Expand allThis document outlines the steps to follow to reimburse eligible tertiary students in receipt of Youth Allowance (YA), Austudy or Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) who claim Fares Allowance (FAA) for the use of a private vehicle or for travel by taxi.
Fares reimbursement
Fares Allowance (FAA) for eligible tertiary students is normally paid at the rate of the cheapest mode of public transport available for the journey. It can also be paid for the use of private transport or taxi where public transport is not available, or not practicable.
If public transport is available between the customer's permanent home and their place of study, and it is practicable for the customer to use such transport, the customer will be reimbursed at the rate of the cheapest mode of public transport, regardless of the form of transport actually used.
Determining whether the cost of a mode of transport is reasonable depends on the circumstances. Where living necessities or personal belongings, such as essential kitchenware and bedding, need to be transported by the student from their family or permanent home in order to undertake study, and it is not practicable to transport the items by public transport (for example, due to strict luggage limits, or the amount of luggage is difficult to manoeuvre), FAA may cover reasonable costs of transport by a private vehicle.
Note: if the journey was able to be undertaken with additional luggage via plane, train or bus, then additional luggage can be factored into the calculations. The car is not included in any calculations. Fares Allowance does not include the transportation of a car or accommodation paid for during the period of travel.
Travel by private car is reimbursed according to a rate per kilometre based on the engine capacity of the car. Note: if a student provides a fuel receipt as verification of the trip, the value of the trip based on the capacity of the car and the number of kilometres travelled should be reimbursed, not the value of the receipt.
Taxi fares are reimbursed at a standard rate per kilometre.
A customer will need to explain why it is necessary to undertake the trip by private car or taxi, such as no public transport available, natural disaster or medical needs.
The References page contains a link to the Guide for information about the current rates for reimbursement of Fares Allowance (FAA) where the journey was made by private car or taxi.
The Resources page includes a table showing scenarios of rates to travel by private car and approved free text when requesting evidence for the requirement to transport living/study necessities.