Tertiary Access Payment

The Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) is a non-indexed, means-tested payment to school-leavers from regional or remote areas who need to relocate for full-time, higher-level tertiary education (Certificate IV and above) at an education provider located at least 90 minutes by public transport from their family home.

The Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) is a non-indexed, means-tested payment to school-leavers from regional or remote areas who need to relocate for full-time, higher-level tertiary education (Certificate IV and above) at an education provider located at least 90 minutes by public transport from their family home.

TAP is available for school leavers who:

• meet Australian citizenship or residency requirements

• 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, in the year 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 Study Hub (formerly Regional University Centres) 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).

The income threshold will enable many students with two working parents or guardians to qualify for the payment.