New education initiatives giving regional students a leg up in 2021

If you are a regional student about to embark on study this year you should know about these new initiatives introduced by the government! 2021 is a great year for regional education, with dedicated resources and funds to support regional students to achieve their study goals.

So here is the low down on what’s new and might just benefit you!

Tertiary Access Payment

• The Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) is a one-off payment to school-leavers from outer regional or remote areas who relocate to undertake full-time, higher-level tertiary education.
• This payment is a one-off payment of $5,000 paid in 2 instalments. It’s to help eligible students with the cost of moving to study. This is for study after you’ve finished year 12 or equivalent.
• If you’re a university student, check your eligibility and claim the payment through your university.
• If you’re studying a Vocational Educational and Training (VET) course at a university you can claim through Service Australia, please go to this website: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/tertiary-access-payment/how-claim
• To find out more information about this initiative, if you plan to study a higher education degree, please go to this website: https://www.dese.gov.au/tertiary-access-payment or the TAP frequently asked questions section on the Job-ready Graduates FAQs page here https://www.dese.gov.au/job-ready/faqs 

TAP Youtube Video

• Check out this video to see a quick break down of the Tertiary Access Payment – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EshPKJamBvs&feature=youtu.be

Improved Fares Allowance

• Eligible students who receive Youth Allowance, Austudy or Pensioner Education Supplement can access Fares Allowance for the mid-year break in their first year of study.
• Transport costs a major issue for students who relocate to study. Around 70 per cent of students from regional and remote areas who undertake tertiary study relocate, so a modified Fares Allowance will provide support for these students to stay connected with their family and community.
• Importantly, now students who are studying a distance or online course and need to travel to your education provider to meet a course requirement can also claim the fares allowance. This may include field excursions, practical teaching sessions or a hospital residency.
• Example: Aaron gets Austudy and is an online student at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. He lives with his partner in Melbourne. He must go to Brisbane for a compulsory residential unit. Aaron can claim Fares Allowance with proof to support his claim. Aaron can either ask us to pre-book his travel or he can claim a reimbursement after he’s travelled.
• For more information please visit the Service Australia website: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/fares-allowance

Destination Australia Grants

• The Destination Australia Program is designed to help regional and rural Australian education providers and communities to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing students and economic activity to the local area. This means higher education and vocational education providers with a campus in regional Australia may be eligible to apply for a scholarship of up to $15,000 per year for students. This means additional scholarships to support more students. You can see if your university is a provider of these scholarships in 2021 here: https://www.dese.gov.au/download/10442/destination-australia-2021-list-successful-providers/19854/document/pdf
• You can apply for these scholarships directly through your university.