First year students (aged up to 22) from regional or remote areas can now apply for the Tertiary Access Payment, offering up to $5,000 to help kick-start their tertiary education journey and ease the transition to university or vocational study.
The Tertiary Access Payment is a one-off payment of $3,000 or $5,000 to help students studying a Certificate IV or above to cover essential costs once they have moved including:
- rent
- travel
- food
- study supplies
The payment is available to students who have completed Year 12 (or equivalent) and are aged up to 22, if they meet all other eligibility criteria.
The payment is a means-tested payment to first year students who relocate to study at an education provider located at least 90 minutes by public transport from their family home. Eligible students must be from an inner regional, outer regional, remote, or very remote areas as defined by the Australian Statistical Geography Standard - Remoteness Area classification.
Students who apply for the Tertiary Access Payment may also be eligible to apply for other student payments like Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY. Students can visit the Payment and Service Finder to check eligibility.
Applications for the 2026 Tertiary Access Payment close on 31 December. To find out if you’re eligible and to apply, visit the Services Australia website.