Balancing university life away from home is challenging, not just emotionally but financially as well. If you’re an Australian student living far from your family for tertiary studies, the good news is Centrelink’s Fares Allowance program could reimburse you for $600 travel expenses—covering flights or public transport between your hometown and place of study. Many students aren’t aware of this, but it’s a real lifeline, reducing significant travel costs each year.
How Does the Fares Allowance Work?
The program is designed to ease the burden for students who need to study far from home. Here’s a breakdown of how it supports you:
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Available for those receiving Youth Allowance, Austudy, or the Pensioner Education Supplement.
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If you relocate for your studies, the scheme can help cover your travel back home and to study location with a reimbursement—sometimes even up to $600 or more per flight.
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Not just airfares: you can also claim costs for bus, train, coach, or ferry travel if these are part of your journey.
Who’s Eligible for Centrelink’s Fares Allowance?
Eligibility is straightforward:
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You must receive Youth Allowance, Austudy, or the Pensioner Education Supplement for study purposes.
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Your place of study must be sufficiently distant from your permanent home.
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The study duration and your time on Centrelink payments affect how many trips you can claim:
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If on Centrelink for 3+ months per year:
You can claim up to 4 trips per year. -
If on Centrelink for less than 3 months per year:
You qualify for 2 trips. -
For online or distance students needing to travel for compulsory study units, a return trip between your permanent home and study location is available once per course annually
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How Many Flights Can Students Claim per Year?
Here’s how your entitlement may break down if you’re eligible all year
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One trip from home to your place of study at the start of the year
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One trip home at the end of the academic year
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A return trip home during the year
Example: If you study in Western Australia but your family lives in Sydney, and you’re eligible via Youth Allowance, Centrelink could reimburse you for major travel expenses up to four times per year.
What Costs are Covered?
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Flight tickets: Economy class with standard baggage.
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Cheapest available public transport: Bus, train, coach, or ferry.
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Connecting transport: If you need a local bus or train to reach the airport, those costs can be included.
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Private transport: Only if public transport isn’t viable; you’ll need to explain why public options weren’t possible.
How To Claim Your Fares Allowance
Making a claim is now more straightforward:
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Keep your travel receipts: Hold onto all receipts, invoices, or itineraries of your travel.
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Complete the Fares Allowance claim form or apply online through Services Australia.
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Submit your claim by March 31 of the year following your travel
Once processed, reimbursements are sent direct to your nominated bank account.
Student Story: Lea’s $600 Sydney-Perth Claim
Take Lea Šimić, a student at WAAPA, who regularly travels from Sydney to Perth. After learning about the scheme from a friend, Lea started claiming her long-distance flights and received a $600 reimbursement for one trip alone. For many students, this can be a game-changer—helping them stay connected to family without the huge financial stress of travel
Other Schemes for Student and Pensioner Travel
Australia has several related schemes—two key options are summarized below.
| Scheme | What’s Covered |
|---|---|
| Centrelink Fares Allowance | Up to 4 reimbursed trips per year (flights, bus, train, ferry) for eligible tertiary students on Youth Allowance, Austudy, or Pensioner Education Supplement. Includes travel to and from place of study, and connecting public transport. Private transport considered with justification |
| WA Student Travel Subsidy Scheme | Subsidised fares (up to 4 return air/bus/train trips for eligible first-year tertiary students <20 years, 2 returns per year for others). Road travel subsidy at 57.81 cents/km for private vehicle if no public transport is practical. Student must not be on Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY |
How Can This Help You?
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Great for students attending uni interstate or in remote locations.
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Significant savings—return flights between Sydney and Perth can exceed $1,000; regular claims mean less pressure on tight student budgets.
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Reduces the emotional stress of being far from loved ones, allowing more frequent visits home.
Key Things to Remember
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Claims are only for the “most economical and readily available” form of transport.
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You must prove that you were eligible (e.g., payment recipient, distance, study requirements).
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Applications should be made promptly (by March 31 the following year).
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Some schemes are not cumulative—use your annual entitlement or it’s lost.
FAQs
Q1: Who can claim Centrelink’s Fares Allowance?
Students on Youth Allowance, Austudy, or the Pensioner Education Supplement who are studying away from home.
Q2: Can I claim for transport other than flights?
Yes, you can claim the cost of buses, trains, ferries, or coaches if those are more practical for your journey.
Q3: What’s the deadline for submitting my claim?
Claims must be submitted by March 31 of the year following your travel.
Quick Recap:
If you’re a student studying far from home, check your eligibility for the Centrelink Fares Allowance. It could save you hundreds—if not more—each year, making study away from home more affordable and less stressful for both you and your family.
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