Centrelink Moving Across the Country for Study
Australian university students often leave their families behind to study at top institutions. Many relocate from one side of the country to the other. The aspect of issues between controlling education and traveling long distances is persistent. 20-year-old student Lea Šimic migrated to Perth to take up a place in the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). The school has alumni who include Hugh Jackman, Frances O’Connor, and Tim Minchin.
Choosing the Right Course
Lea enrolled at WAAPA because the directing component in its undergraduate course attracted her. “I was very interested in that,” Lea said. For three years, she has found many new pathways in the arts industry through her studies. However, she recognised that the distance from her family could be a barrier.
Discovering Financial Support Through Centrelink
Lea learned about the Centrelink Fares Allowance from a university friend. “I found out about it last year through a mate at uni who was also trying to claim flights back to Melbourne… we were just looking at ways to be able to go see our family while we were studying here in WA,” she said. The program supports students on Youth Allowance, Austudy, or the Pensioner Education Supplement.
How the Fares Allowance Works
The Fares Allowance provides financial reimbursement for students studying away from home. Those on eligible Centrelink payments for at least three months a year can claim up to four flights per year. This covers one flight to the study location at the start of the year, one back home at the end, and a mid-year return trip. For students on payments for less than three months, the allowance covers two flights per year.
Personal Travel Savings and Experiences
Lea used the program to claim a $600 flight from Sydney to Perth. She stressed the importance of booking early to control costs. Some fares between major Australian cities can exceed $1,000 one way. “It’s a really great program that I think should be extended to more people,” Lea said. “To have the option to see your family and a reminder of why you’re doing these programs, I think it’s really beneficial.”
Additional Benefits for Distance and Online Learners
Students who study in online or distance modes and travel to meet course requirements qualify for a return trip each year. Centrelink also refunds the cost of standard baggage.
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Public and Private Transport Options Included
Students can use the allowance for “the least expensive and most available” form of public transport. This covers not only domestic flights but also ferries, coaches, trains, and buses. Lea and her peers can claim connecting transport, like buses or trains to the airport, as part of their travel. A Services Australia spokesperson stated, “Where it’s not practical to use public transport, you can travel by private transport, though you need to explain why public transport couldn’t be used when you claim.”
Reducing the Financial Burden for Students
The Fare Allowance does assist students to spend less on travelling and more on studies. A large number of students spend the majority of their money on rent and other necessities. They are also frequent part time workers who hold academic duties to take care of. The travelling assistance enables them to maintain important family ties without incurring additional financial burden.
Maintaining Connections and Motivation
Lea values the Fare Allowance for helping her stay close to her family during her degree. “I was very fortunate that I got into this course straight out of uni,” she said. “A lot of people usually do another degree to get in. I was fresh 18.” She believes that visiting her family has been central to her success and creative process. “But being able to come back and forth was really vital for me, because I have a very close connection to my family, and they’re part of the reason why I want to create a very specific art. Centrelink has definitely helped me out in that regard.”
Centrelink Support Shapes Student Futures
Centrelink’s Fares Allowance offers vital help to those pursuing education far from home. The practical assistance encourages students like Lea to remain committed to their courses and family ties. The allowance reduces both travel costs and stress, letting students focus fully on their academic and creative ambitions.
