Compassionate travel
You can book ABSTUDY compassionate travel if a student needs to go home during term because:
- they’re sick or injured
- they need to attend a community event under Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander lore or kinship obligations
- a close family member is critically sick or hurt
- a close family member has died
- they need to go to a close family member’s funeral.
You can also book ABSTUDY travel for a close family or community member to visit the student for compassionate reasons. This can be during term time.
You can send us your request as soon as you know you need to travel. Find out how to book compassionate travel.
If the trip needs to happen sooner, call the National Business Gateway line and select the ABSTUDY option. You’ll be able to talk to an ABSTUDY travel officer.
Travel for suspended students
ABSTUDY won’t pay for a suspended student to travel home.
Parents or guardians may be eligible for a return trip to visit students who are having troubles adjusting to boarding and are at risk of suspension or expulsion. They can make the trip under special purpose visit travel.
Travel for expelled students
ABSTUDY student may get help to travel home if they’re expelled.
We can only pay for this in specific circumstances and when there’s no other solution. This includes when all the following apply:
- the student is a possible risk to themselves or others
- there’s no other source of funding from the school or family
- you’ve followed all steps required under legislation, including contacting parents and authorities like the police or Child Protection
- you’ve exhausted all local solutions, like moving the student to be with family members.
To book travel for these students, email your request to abstudy.travel@servicesaustralia.gov.au and include the ABSTUDY Fares Allowance for expelled students form. We need this form as supporting evidence to process your request.