Compassionate travel
You can book ABSTUDY compassionate travel if a student needs to go home during term because:
- they’re sick or injured
- they need to attend a community event under Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander lore or kinship obligations
- a close family member is critically sick or hurt
- a close family member has died
- they need to go to a close family member’s funeral.
You need to give us evidence to get Fares Allowance for compassionate travel. This may include a statement from:
- the education or board provider
- a doctor
- the hospital
- a community authority.
We can also accept statement from a community person responsible for cultural matters. This is only if the travel request is for the student being required to return home for a cultural activity.
You can also book ABSTUDY travel for a close family or community member to visit the student for compassionate reasons. This can be during term time.
Find out how to book compassionate travel 10 or more days ahead of time.
If the trip needs to happen sooner, call the National Business Gateway line and select the ABSTUDY option. You’ll be able to talk to an ABSTUDY travel officer.
Travel for suspended students
ABSTUDY won’t pay for a suspended student to travel home. However, parents or guardians may be eligible for a return trip to visit students at risk of suspension or expulsion. They can make the trip under special purpose visit travel up to 3 times a year.
Travel for expelled students
ABSTUDY student may get help to travel home if they’re expelled.
We can only pay for this in specific circumstances and when there’s no other solution. This includes when all the following apply:
- the student is a possible risk to themselves or others
- there’s no other source of funding from the school or family
- you’ve followed all steps required under legislation, including contacting parents and authorities like the police or Child Protection
- you’ve exhausted all local solutions, like moving the student to be with family members.
To book travel for these students, you need to email or call us on the National Business Gateway line. We’ll email you a checklist you’ll need to complete which should:
- give the reason - for example, there’s no other source of funding
- say what the school has done to try to fix the issue
- give the name and contact number of the student’s parent or guardian
- briefly outline the school’s discussions with the parent/guardian and the outcome.
The principal or head of school has to sign the checklist.
You will need to email the signed checklist to abstudy.travel@servicesaustralia.gov.au.