How to Claim Your Centrelink $5,000 Tertiary Access Payment (TAP)

As 2024 draws to a close, time is running out for Australians who are eligible to claim the Tertiary Access Payment (TAP), a one-off Centrelink cash boost of up to $5,000.

This financial aid is designed to support students from regional or remote areas who have moved for their first year of tertiary education.

If you started your studies in 2024 and meet the eligibility criteria, you still have a few weeks left to apply before the December 31 deadline.

What is the Tertiary Access Payment (TAP)?

The Tertiary Access Payment is a government initiative aimed at easing the financial burden for students who relocate from regional or remote areas to pursue tertiary education.

The payment can be as high as $5,000 and is intended to help cover the costs associated with moving, such as accommodation, travel, and other expenses that come with relocating for study.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for TAP, applicants must meet several key criteria:

• You must have completed Year 12 in 2023 or earlier.
• You need to be from a regional or remote area and must have moved at least 90 minutes away from home by public transport to attend a tertiary education provider.
• You must be in your first year of tertiary study in 2024.
• You should be an Australian citizen or hold an eligible visa.
• Your course must be at Certificate IV level or higher.
• You must be 22 years old or younger when starting your course.
• Your parents’ or guardians’ combined income must not exceed $250,000.

If you meet all these requirements, you are eligible to apply for the TAP. Additionally, this payment can be claimed alongside other Centrelink payments such as Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY, or the Relocation Scholarship.

How Much Can You Receive?

The amount you receive under TAP depends on where you are moving from:

• Inner regional students: A one-off payment of $3,000 will be provided during the first half of your academic year.
• Outer regional and remote students: You will receive $3,000 in the first half of the year and an additional $2,000 in the second half.

Before receiving any payments, Services Australia will verify your enrolment status. If you’re not enrolled when they check, you won’t receive the payment.

Why TAP is Important for Regional Students

For many students from rural and regional areas, relocating for tertiary education can be financially challenging. According to research by the Country Education Foundation, children from regional areas are 20% less likely to attend university or TAFE compared to their urban counterparts.

In fact, while over 48% of people aged 25-34 in cities hold a degree, that number drops to just over 20% in regional areas.

The TAP aims to bridge this gap by providing financial support that encourages more young Australians from rural regions to pursue higher education without worrying about relocation costs.

How to Apply for TAP

Applying for TAP is straightforward:

1. Visit the Services Australia website and log into your myGov account.
2. Complete the application form and provide any necessary supporting documents.
3. Ensure that you submit your application before December 31, 2024.

You can also use the Student Regional Area Search tool on the Services Australia website to check if your home qualifies as a regional or remote area.

What If I’m Already Receiving Other Centrelink Payments?

Good news! You can still claim TAP even if you’re already receiving Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY, or have received a Relocation Scholarship payment.

The TAP is considered an equity-based scholarship and generally isn’t counted as income when determining your eligibility for other payments.

However, if you receive more than one equity-based scholarship and your total amount exceeds $9,724 in a year, it may affect your other Centrelink payments.

---

FAQs