How to claim

You can claim ABSTUDY Fares Allowance before or after your trip. If you claim before, we’ll book the travel for you. Otherwise, claim after you travel and we’ll pay you back.

Claiming before the trip for primary and secondary school students

If you’re in primary or secondary school and under 18, you’ll need a Safe Travel Plan to claim ABSTUDY Fares Allowance. You must have a Safe Travel Plan to get ABSTUDY Fares Allowance for pre-booked travel.

If you live at a boarding school or hostel

To claim before your trip, your parents or guardians must tell your boarding school or hostel about your travel needs.

You’ll also need a Safe Travel Plan if you’re a primary or secondary school student under 18. Ask your school about putting a plan in place. There’s guidelines and a template on the Department of Social Services website.

Your boarding school or hostel will then tell us about your travel needs. We’ll:

  1. confirm you have a Safe Travel Plan if you’re under 18
  2. book the trip for you
  3. give your boarding school or hostel a copy of your itinerary to give to you.

You must give us at least 6 weeks notice before your trip. If you’re applying for compassionate travel less than 6 weeks away, please give as much notice as possible.

If you live in a private boarding arrangement

If you want to claim before your trip, you or your parent or guardian must call the ABSTUDY students line. You must give us at least 7 days notice.

If you’re applying for compassionate travel less than 7 days away, please give as much notice as possible.

We’ll give a copy of the itinerary to whoever requests the travel.

Secondary students not at a secondary school and tertiary students

If you want to claim before your trip, you must call the ABSTUDY students line. You must give us at least 7 days notice.

If you’re applying for compassionate travel less than 7 days away, please give as much notice as possible.

We’ll give you a copy of the itinerary.

Example of completing secondary school at TAFE

Danzel completed Year 10 at a secondary school. He left his secondary school and is now completing his Year 11 and 12 studies at TAFE. This makes Danzel a secondary student not at a secondary school.

What information we need

If you claim before your trip, we’ll need some information including:

  • your personal details, such as your name and address
  • your supervisor's details, if they’re travelling with you
  • the purpose of the travel
  • where you’re travelling to and from
  • preferred travel dates
  • accommodation transfer and excess baggage needs.

Claiming after the trip

Reimbursing the cost of your trip

We’ll reimburse the cost of your trip if you’re eligible for ABSTUDY Fares Allowance and you pay for it yourself.

We’ll pay you the cheaper of these options, either:

  • the cost of the most reasonable travel
  • the cost of the actual trip.

We work out reasonable costs when you claim. Find out how much ABSTUDY Fares Allowance you get.

Example of reimbursing the most reasonable cost

Tiyana is a tertiary student at the University of Sydney eligible for Fares Allowance. She normally lives in Coffs Harbour which is 530km away from her place of study. Tiyana paid $250 for an economy airfare to go home at the end of her first year of study. She applies for the money back. We pay the cost of a bus ticket, as this is the most cost effective form of transport.

To apply for a reimbursement fill in an ABSTUDY Fares Allowance Claim. You need to give us proof of travel expenses, such as tickets or receipts.

You have until 1 April in the year following your eligible travel to claim.

Proof to support your claim

You may need to give us documents to explain the reason you need to travel.

If your reason for travel is You need to give us
You need to go to an interview to get into a boarding school A letter from the school saying you needed to go to the interview
You’re at risk of suspension or expulsion A letter from your school saying you’re at risk of suspension or expulsion
You’re involved in a school event such as a ceremony or sporting event A letter from your school explaining the event and your involvement
You have an immediate family member who’s critically sick or hurt A letter from a health worker or community leader explaining the situation
You need to go home because you’re sick or hurt A letter from a health worker outlining the situation
You're involved in a community event A letter from a community leader explaining the event and your involvement
You’re secondary school has expelled you Your school must give us the completed ABSTUDY expulsion checklist
You’re travelling to and from an exam centre A letter from your place of study confirming you need to take a deferred or supplementary exam
You’re travelling to your graduation ceremony A letter from your place of study confirming you’ll be graduating from your course

You can submit an ABSTUDY Fares Allowance Claim and proof to support your claim any 1 of the following ways:

Services Australia
Student Services
Reply Paid 7804
Canberra BC ACT 2610

Page last updated: 19 February 2020