Bulk travel bookings for the start and end of term

Boarding schools and hostels can request ABSTUDY Fares Allowance to cover start and end of term travel for eligible students.

The allowance pays for return trips either

  • between their home and place of study
  • to an alternate location, if it’s on their usual route or for a special circumstance.

When to make bulk travel requests

You need to send us the ABSTUDY travel booking form at least 7 weeks before the travel date. This starts the process so we can approve the request and make bookings for all the students.

When we’ve booked the travel, we send each student’s travel itinerary to you to pass along to the family.

What to do with late enrolments

If a student enrols after you’ve already lodged your bulk travel request for the term, you can make a separate booking request for them.

How to change or cancel pre-booked travel

Before including a student in a bulk travel request, think about why they might not be able to travel at that time. For example, they may need to:

  • be at school for academic requirements
  • attend a planned school event such as a camp, sports carnival, show or formal
  • be at home for a culturally significant event.

It’s important to consider these things because we can only change ABSTUDY travel bookings in exceptional circumstances. Otherwise it counts as missed travel and there may be a penalty for the student. Learn more about changing or cancelling travel.

Page last updated: 27 August 2024.
QC 63020