Special purpose visit travel

ABSTUDY may book and pay for special purpose visit trips for the student and their family or community members. These are return trips either:

• between the student’s home and their place of study
• to or from an alternate location if it’s on their usual route or for exceptional circumstances.

To request special purpose visit travel, book travel with us.

We’ll make the bookings and send the travel itinerary to you to pass onto the student’s family.

Types of special purpose visit travel

Special purpose visit travel can help when family or community members need to attend a school event. For example, any of the following:

• an award ceremony
• a sporting event
• a school play
• a parent teacher interview
• NAIDOC Week events
• graduation events.

It can also help a family or community member travel to the school when both of the following apply:

• a student is homesick, having trouble adjusting or having mental health challenges
• a visit from their family or community member will help the student stay in school.

Limits on special purpose visit travel requests

Usually, you can request ABSTUDY help for up to 3 special purpose visit trips per year.

This limit does not apply to trips for any of the following reasons:

• NAIDOC Week events
• graduation events
• reuniting students with family or community members when the student is homesick and having trouble adjusting to boarding.

Timing of special purpose visit travel requests

You should send us the ABSTUDY travel booking form at least 10 days before the travel date.

If the request is more urgent, call the National Business Gateway line and choose the ABSTUDY option. You’ll be able to talk to an ABSTUDY travel officer.