$5,000 Centrelink Tertiary Access Payment 2025 – Who Qualifies & How to Claim

Getting into uni is tough enough for students from rural and regional Australia, but paying for the move is often an even bigger hurdle. That’s why the Centrelink Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) 2025 is such an important lifeline—it helps cover relocation costs for young people leaving home to study full-time for the first time.

Services Australia has confirmed the scheme will continue in 2025, with payments ranging from $3,000 to $5,000, depending on where the student is moving from. It’s a one-off boost, but for families already stretched by cost-of-living pressures, that money can make the difference between going to university and staying behind.

What Is the Tertiary Access Payment?

The TAP is a one-time, non-taxable payment offered to school-leavers who move away from their family home to begin full-time tertiary study. It’s designed to reduce the financial shock of relocating—covering expenses like rent bonds, transport, household setup, and other essentials that add up quickly in the first year.

Payment Amounts in 2025

The amount depends on where the student lives before relocating:

Location of Family Home	Payment Amount	Payment Schedule
Inner Regional areas	$3,000	Paid once in the first year
Outer Regional, Remote, or Very Remote areas	$5,000	$3,000 upfront + $2,000 later in first year (if study continues full-time)

The second installment requires proof of ongoing enrollment and attendance.

Eligibility Rules for 2025

To qualify, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:

• Residency: Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Age: 22 years or younger when starting study.
• Education: Completed Year 12 (or equivalent) and commencing tertiary study in 2025.
• Course type: Full-time Certificate IV or higher at a recognised university, TAFE, or provider.
• Relocation: Must move at least 90 minutes away from family home (measured by public transport).
• Parental income test: Combined parental income under $250,000.
• Location: Must be from an inner regional, outer regional, remote, or very remote area of Australia.

How to Apply for TAP 2025

1. Create a MyGov account at Services Australia.
2. Link Centrelink to your MyGov account.
3. Gather required documents:
   • Proof of identity
   • Proof of enrolment in a full-time course
   • Relocation details (new address)
   • Parental income evidence (if required)
4. Submit the claim online through Centrelink.
5. Monitor your claim status and payment updates in MyGov.

Why This Matters

The government has acknowledged that rural and remote students face higher barriers to accessing higher education. Without programs like TAP, the cost of relocation can discourage students from enrolling at all. By easing those upfront costs, TAP is part of a broader push for equitable access to tertiary education across Australia.

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