That ICPA (Aust) advocates to relevant federal ministers and government departments that the first payment of the Tertiary Access Payment for rural and remote students relocating to access tertiary studies be expedited to ensure funds are available when upfront relocation expenses are being endured.
The Services Australia website states that the Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) is “A payment to help students with the cost of moving from regional or remote areas for tertiary study. Our Branch thoroughly appreciates the Tertiary Access Payment now available for eligible students however we harbour concerns that currently the first payment of the Tertiary Access Payment is not paid to students until 42 days (six weeks) after the qualifying tertiary course commencement date.
Given the costs associated with relocating are endured before the course commences, it seems incongruous that a payment designed to assist with the costs of relocating are not available to students when they are actually doing so, with the waiting period to be deemed eligible and to receive this assistance being well after these costs must be met.
This is a concern as it may result in students not being able to afford those upfront costs regardless of their eligibility and in turn meaning they either must find other sources of funding to assist with their relocation costs or in a worst case scenario will not be able to commence their course in the year after completing year 12 which would then render them ineligible for the TAP. Our branch understands that the Relocation Scholarship is available to students at the commencement of their course.
Our Branch wish to see a system in place whereby part of the funding can be paid to students at least at the start of their course, or alternatively sooner, such as when their enrolment in the course is confirmed, to ensure assistance is available for the upfront costs of relocating.
