Study allowances and financial support
You might be eligible to receive money to help you with the costs of studying
Introduction
Studying comes with costs beyond course fees. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for government payments, travel support or a university scholarship to help pay for the additional costs that come with study.
Explore your options below to see what financial support could be available to you.
Government payments for students
You may be eligible for an Australian Government payment to help with living and study costs.
What you can receive depends on factors such as your age, circumstances, course and study load.
Youth Allowance provides financial support for eligible students aged 24 or younger and studying full time.
Your eligibility depends on several factors, including your circumstances and whether you meet Services Australia's requirements.
The Student Start-up Loan is a voluntary loan for eligible higher education students receiving Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY Living Allowance.
It can help with study-related expenses, but you'll need to repay it. Repayments are made through the tax system once your income reaches the relevant threshold. Indexation also applies.
ABSTUDY provides financial support for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and apprentices.
Depending on your circumstances, support may be available for living expenses and other study-related costs.
Austudy provides financial support for eligible students aged 25 or older who are studying full time.
You must meet Services Australia's study, residency and other eligibility requirements.
Not sure which financial support applies to you?
Our student advisors can help you understand your options based on your study goals and circumstances – at no cost to you.
Support while you're on placement
If the course you're enrolled in requires you to participate in placements, you may be eligible for financial support.
The Australian Government's Commonwealth Prac Payment is designed to help with living costs during mandatory placements.
The Commonwealth Prac Payment provides weekly financial support to eligible students completing mandatory placements in teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work.
Eligibility depends on your course, enrolment, placement and financial circumstances.
Applications for higher education students are managed through their university.
Travel subsidy
We're committed to ensuring everyone has access to higher education. This means making study achievable, regardless of your circumstances or location.
To support eligible students who experience additional barriers to participating in compulsory study-related activities requiring travel, a subsidy of $100 per eligible student each term is available.
It's our way of ensuring you can achieve your goals – no matter the lifestyle you're contending with.
You can submit an application if you're an Australian citizen or Australian Humanitarian Visa holder living and studying in Australia through Open Universities Australia.
You must also fit into one of the following areas of requirement.
Travel Requirement
You meet this criteria if you are:- Enrolled (post-census) in a subject requiring travel
- Living 100 kilometres or more from an exam venue, practicum, or placement location
Financial Hardship Requirement
You meet this criteria if you are:- Receiving Centrelink benefits; or hold a valid Health Care Card
- Required to travel for study purposes
Regional or Remote Access Requirement
You meet this criteria if you are:- Living in regional or remote Australia
- Registered with your nearest Study Hub, living 25 kilometres or more from it, and travelling regularly to it
Accessibility Requirement
You meet this criteria if you have:- A physical disability requiring travel arrangements associated with attending an exam, practicum, or placement
If you're eligible, you may be able to use the subsidy if you need to travel from your home to:
- Your nearest exam venue (100km distance or more)
- An on-campus placement, practicum, workshop or seminar which is compulsory (100km distance or more)
- A Study Hub you are registered with and travelling to regularly (25km distance or more)
Download, complete and submit the Travel Subsidy Application Form and provide the requested supporting information within the document.
This must be submitted during the relevant study term to the email address listed on the form, using accurate and complete information. It must also contain your consent where verification with a Study Hub is required.
You must submit the form yourself, or have it submitted by an authorised representative acting on your behalf.
Could you get $100 towards travel?
You may be eligible for help with compulsory study travel. Check the criteria, then download the form to apply.
Scholarships
The university you're studying with may offer scholarships (and prizes or awards) to help with the cost of study.
Depending on the scholarship, eligibility may be based on your study area, financial circumstances, personal background or achievements.
Universities manage their own scholarships, including eligibility requirements and applications.
Explore Australian university scholarships
Frequently asked questions
Can online students get Centrelink payments?
Yes. Studying online doesn't automatically prevent you from receiving student payments.
You still need to meet Services Australia's eligibility requirements, including those relating to your course and study load.
What counts as full-time study for Centrelink?
For Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Services Australia generally requires at least 75% of a full-time study load.
The way your study load is measured depends on your course and education provider.
To be considered a full-time student, you’ll need to be enrolled in subjects which have a combined EFTSL of at least 0.250. This is normally two subjects – which together generally require 20 to 24 hours of study each week. You’ll find each subject's EFTSL listed on its subject details page here on the Open Universities Australia website.
What is EFTSL?
EFTSL stands for equivalent full-time study load. It's a way of measuring how much study you're taking on.
When studying through Open Universities Australia, one undergraduate subject generally has an EFTSL of 0.125. That means:
- One subject (0.125 EFTSL): Usually part-time study, requiring around 10–12 hours per week.
- Two subjects (0.250 EFTSL): Generally considered full-time study, requiring around 20–24 hours per week.
Centrelink also uses EFTSL to assess your study load when determining eligibility for student payments. For students studying through Open Universities Australia, this is assessed across six-month calendar periods.
Can I get a study allowance and a HELP loan?
Can I get a study allowance and a HELP loan?
You may be eligible for both, depending on your circumstances.
Study allowances generally help with living and study-related expenses. HELP loans help eligible students pay tuition fees.
Each type of support has separate eligibility requirements.
What financial help is available during placements?
The Commonwealth Prac Payment may help eligible students with living costs during mandatory placements in certain courses.
Check the Australian Government's eligibility requirements and speak with your university about applying.
Does Open Universities Australia offer scholarships?
Scholarships listed on this page are offered and managed by individual universities, not Open Universities Australia.
You can explore opportunities through the university you're studying with.
Who can help me understand my options?
Our student advisors can help you understand your funding options and where to find more information.
They can also help you explore courses and plan your next steps.
Need help working out your options?
Work through your study costs and find available support with a student advisor.
We're here to help you understand your options and map out your next steps, at no cost to you.
Book a free consultationLooking for other ways to connect? Contact us.
Where to find more information
Interactive Payment Finder
Services Australia's Payment Finder steps you through available payments based on your unique circumstances.
Learn about payments
Find out about payments and loans you can get from the Australian Government when you become a university student.
Manage your money
Get tips and information from the Australian Government to help you manage your money when you're at university.
Explore your financial options
How to pay for university
There's more than one way to pay for university. This guide explains the main options available in Australia, so you can understand what may work for you.
How much does university cost in Australia?
Tuition fees in Australia vary widely by course, study area and what type of place you’re enrolled in. This guide explains what drives the cost, breaks down the different fee types, and shows you where to check what your own fees could be.
What is HECS-HELP and how does it work?
If you’re thinking about enrolling in a uni course, you’ve no doubt considered getting a HECS-HELP loan. But how the HECS does the scheme actually work? Here's everything you need to know.
Student allowances explained: What payments can you get?
If you’re studying full-time, you may be eligible for income support. Find out about the three main types of Centrelink payments for students, Austudy, ABSTUDY and Youth Allowance.