The Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) is a government program designed to help regional and remote students with the costs of relocating for tertiary education. Administered through Services Australia, it's a one-off payment of up to $5,000 that can significantly ease the financial burden of starting university or TAFE away from home.

To be eligible for the TAP, you must meet several key requirements:

• Be 22 years or younger when you start your course
• Be in your first year of tertiary study
• Be enrolled in a Certificate IV or higher qualification lasting at least one academic year
• Study full-time (part-time may be accepted in special circumstances with proof)
• Your family home must be in an inner regional, outer regional, remote, or very remote area
• You must move to a tertiary education provider at least 90 minutes away from your family home by public transport
• Complete Year 12 or equivalent education
• If you're dependent on your parents or guardians, their combined income must be under $250,000
• Independent students are exempt from the parental income test

As of 2025, students who took one or more gap years after completing Year 12 are now eligible, provided they meet all other criteria.

The payment amount depends on where your family home is located. Inner regional areas can receive $3,000 paid as a single payment. Outer regional, remote, and very remote areas can be eligible for up to $5,000 paid in two instalments.

The first payment is made approximately six weeks after your qualifying course starts. For those receiving $5,000, the second instalment follows later in the academic year, provided you remain enrolled.

The TAP is designed to help with costs associated with relocating for study, including:

• Accommodation expenses
• Moving costs
• Textbooks and study materials
• Travel expenses
• General living costs during the transition

Applications for 2025 are open from January 1 and close on December 31. You can apply at any time during this period through your myGov account linked to Centrelink.

To apply:

• Create a myGov account if you don't have one
• Link Centrelink to your account
• Complete the TAP application online
• Provide required documentation (proof of address, course enrolment, etc.)

Essential documents:

• Proof of your family home location
• Confirmation of course enrolment
• Evidence of completing Year 12 or equivalent
• Parental income information (if dependent)

The TAP is a one-time payment—you can only receive it once

It's considered an equity scholarship and generally doesn't affect other Centrelink payments (unless combined scholarships exceed $10,094 annually)

Both university and TAFE students are eligible, provided the course meets tertiary-level requirements

Online-only courses typically don't qualify unless they include mandatory in-person components

If you need assistance with your application or have questions about eligibility:

• Visit the Services Australia website
• Call the Youth and Students line
• Use the Centrelink multilingual phone service on 131 202 for non-English speakers

The TAP represents a substantial investment in supporting regional students' educational aspirations. For many, it's the difference between being able to pursue tertiary education and having to forgo opportunities due to financial constraints.

If you're a regional student planning to start university or TAFE in 2025, it's worth checking your eligibility and applying early in the year.