The wait for ATAR results is nerve-wracking, but here’s some good news: if you’re planning to study next year, Centrelink has a financial boost waiting for you. And you don’t even have to wait for your results or course offer to apply.
Apply Early for Centrelink Payments and Get Ahead
One of the biggest myths around Centrelink’s student payments is that you need to wait until you’re officially enrolled or have received your ATAR results. Well, let’s bust that myth right here: you don’t! Year 12 graduates planning to study or train in the coming year are encouraged to apply as early as possible. In fact, if you apply before the Christmas break, you could get financial support even before your course begins. Imagine getting a little extra cash in hand over the summer to help with living costs or study expenses before all the chaos of starting uni.
What Payments Can You Get?
Now, you might be wondering what kind of payments are available. Well, there are a few options, depending on your situation. The Youth Allowance is one of the big ones. If you’re between 16 and 24 years old, studying full-time, working, or in an apprenticeship, this is for you. Youth Allowance can be up to $663.30 a fortnight if you live away from home, or $472.50 if you stay at home. Not too shabby, right? But that’s not all. If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student or apprentice, you might also be eligible for ABSTUDY, which is designed specifically to support your needs with additional allowances for living costs, travel, and study.
There’s also the Tertiary Access Payment (TAP), which is a game-changer for students from rural or remote areas. If you’re moving to the city for your first year of tertiary study, you could receive up to $5000 to help cover relocation costs, travel, and the general cost of living while you settle into student life.
The Bottom Line
While it might be tempting to focus all your energy on results day, don’t forget to give some thought to how you’ll finance your studies next year. Applying for Centrelink student payments early could ease some of the financial stress, giving you a bit of breathing room before diving into your academic journey. So, before you get too lost in the excitement (or dread) of waiting for your results, take a moment to sort out your finances. It could be one less thing to worry about when that next chapter begins.
In the end, whether you’re stressing over what to study or how to pay for it, remember that support is available. Centrelink payments like Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY are there to help you stay on track and focus on your education, not just on surviving the next few months. So go ahead—take a breath, apply early, and get ready for a smoother, more financially secure start to your next big adventure.
