Want to see your family more often? This government perk could help pay for it
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A little-known Centrelink benefit is helping students bridge the gap between home and campus life—literally.
For one young woman, the scheme meant she could keep chasing her career dream without giving up regular trips back to her family.
Now, she’s urging others studying far from home to look into it too.
When Lea Šimić left her family in Sydney to study at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in Perth, she knew she was in for a challenge.
The 20-year-old was determined to attend the world-renowned school—home to alumni like Hugh Jackman—especially as it offered a rare undergraduate directing component.
But she worried about being apart from her family and the steep cost of flying across the country.
It wasn’t until last year that she discovered the Centrelink Fares Allowance.
Because Ms Šimić receives a Centrelink allowance, she can claim the cost of travelling to Perth at the start of the academic year, returning to Sydney at the end, and taking one return trip in between.
The allowance is available to those on Youth Allowance, Austudy, or the Pensioner Education Supplement for more than three months a year.
‘To have the option to see your family and a reminder of why you're doing these programs, I think it's really beneficial,’ Ms Šimić shared.
Those who qualify for eligible payments less than three months a year can still claim two trips—a journey to their place of study and one home.
Ms Šimić recently claimed back a $600 flight from Sydney to Perth, noting that some one-way fares can soar past $1,000.
She said she tries to book flights in advance but still faces high prices.
Services Australia will also reimburse standard luggage fees and ‘the least expensive and most available’ transport.
That means students could also claim public transport costs to get to their university or airport, such as a train from Sydney to Bathurst.
Ms Šimić said accepting her WAAPA position had opened ‘so many avenues and opportunities’.
‘Being able to come back and forth was really vital for me, because I have a very close connection to my family, and they're part of the reason why I want to create a very specific art,’ she said.
‘Centrelink has definitely helped me out in that regard.’
If you’ve ever wondered what other forms of help might be out there, the Centrelink Fares Allowance is just one example of hidden support.
There are many other little-known programs that can ease financial pressure or make day-to-day life a bit more manageable.
One story in particular shines a light on benefits that often go unnoticed until someone takes the time to look.
Read more: Centrelink unveils hidden support options for those in tough times
Have you ever discovered a government benefit that completely changed your study or work situation?
For one young woman, the scheme meant she could keep chasing her career dream without giving up regular trips back to her family.
Now, she’s urging others studying far from home to look into it too.
When Lea Šimić left her family in Sydney to study at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in Perth, she knew she was in for a challenge.
The 20-year-old was determined to attend the world-renowned school—home to alumni like Hugh Jackman—especially as it offered a rare undergraduate directing component.
But she worried about being apart from her family and the steep cost of flying across the country.
Student finds travel lifeline through Centrelink scheme. Image source: Pexels/Mikhail Nilov
Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described.
Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described.
It wasn’t until last year that she discovered the Centrelink Fares Allowance.
Because Ms Šimić receives a Centrelink allowance, she can claim the cost of travelling to Perth at the start of the academic year, returning to Sydney at the end, and taking one return trip in between.
The allowance is available to those on Youth Allowance, Austudy, or the Pensioner Education Supplement for more than three months a year.
‘To have the option to see your family and a reminder of why you're doing these programs, I think it's really beneficial,’ Ms Šimić shared.
Those who qualify for eligible payments less than three months a year can still claim two trips—a journey to their place of study and one home.
Ms Šimić recently claimed back a $600 flight from Sydney to Perth, noting that some one-way fares can soar past $1,000.
She said she tries to book flights in advance but still faces high prices.
Services Australia will also reimburse standard luggage fees and ‘the least expensive and most available’ transport.
That means students could also claim public transport costs to get to their university or airport, such as a train from Sydney to Bathurst.
Ms Šimić said accepting her WAAPA position had opened ‘so many avenues and opportunities’.
‘Being able to come back and forth was really vital for me, because I have a very close connection to my family, and they're part of the reason why I want to create a very specific art,’ she said.
‘Centrelink has definitely helped me out in that regard.’
If you’ve ever wondered what other forms of help might be out there, the Centrelink Fares Allowance is just one example of hidden support.
There are many other little-known programs that can ease financial pressure or make day-to-day life a bit more manageable.
One story in particular shines a light on benefits that often go unnoticed until someone takes the time to look.
Read more: Centrelink unveils hidden support options for those in tough times
Have you ever discovered a government benefit that completely changed your study or work situation?
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