Tertiary Access Payment

Moving away from home can be expensive and the TAP helps ease the costs for eligible school leavers moving to study.

Moving away from home can be expensive and the TAP helps ease the costs for eligible school leavers moving to study. The TAP can help pay for things like rent or bond for accommodation, household bills, groceries, textbooks, or other study supplies.

The Tertiary Access Payment is available to students who are considering a move from regional or remote Australia to commence their first year of tertiary studies (Certificate IV and above) within 12 months following completion of Year 12 (or equivalent).

A payment of up to $5,000 is available for eligible school leavers.

When to apply

You can apply for the Tertiary Access Payment from 1 January of the year you start tertiary study.

You must submit your claim by 31 December in your first year of study.

You can get the Tertiary Access Payment while getting another student payment from Centrelink.

View the Tertiary Access Payment factsheet

The TAP will be available for Year 12 school-leavers who:

  • meet Australian citizenship or residency requirements 3 are from an inner regional, outer-regional, remote or very remote area (defined using the Australian Statistical Geography Standard - Remoteness Area classification)
  • are undertaking a Certificate IV or above, at least 75 per cent of fulltime study load with a minimum duration of a year, within 12 months following completion of Year 12 (or equivalent).
  • are studying face to face, or in dual delivery method, for at least part of the course
  • are 22 years of age or under at the time they commence their course
  • relocate to study at an education provider or Regional University Centre at least 90 minutes by public transport from their family home
  • parent(s) or guardian(s) have a combined income of $250,000 or below (or be exempt from meeting this requirement).

For more information, visit Services Australia.