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Tertiary Access Payment (TAP)

Value

$3,000 or up to $5,000

Duration

1 Year

Status

Open

Open.
Opens
01/01/2023

Overview

The Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) is a $3,000 or up to $5,000 payment available to regional school‑leavers to help with the costs of moving to a new city or town to undertake full-time, higher‑level tertiary education (Cert IV and above) after completing Year 12 or its equivalent.

Who is eligible?

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

  • are Australian citizens or who meet residency requirements
  • are from an inner regional, outer-regional, remote or very remote area (use the Student Regional Area Search tool to check eligibility)
  • are undertaking a Certificate IV or above, at least 75 per cent of full time 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
  • are relocating 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).

The TAP is unavailable to students who leave school before the end of Year 12 to pursue an apprenticeship.

Tap is not considered 'income for social security purposes' and, where relevant, would not affect your eligibility for other income support. 

Visit Services Australia to read the full list of eligibility criteria and read the program guidelines. 

Selection process

Students must apply through Services Australia from 1 January 2023 at Services Australia