ABSTUDY

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Services Australia delivers social service payments and services to Australians through Centrelink. There are a range of options available from emergency on-off support, to long term support for Australians in need of assistance. ABSTUDY provides financial support for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students or apprentices. Read below to find out more about ABSTUDY, or visit the Centrelink website here.

What is ABSTUDY?

ABSTUDY (the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Study Scheme) is a financial support scheme which provides money to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) students to assist them to stay at school or go on to further studies.

There are different ABSTUDY awards that you may be able to get including a living allowance, assistance with study fees, relocation expenses (if you need to move to study) and travel costs.

Am I eligible to get ABSTUDY?

To find out if you can get ABSTUDY you must:

• be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian;
• in an approved course, Australian Apprenticeship or traineeship; and
• not getting another payment to study or train.

Your eligibility for the different kinds of payments will depend on your study, training and personal circumstances.

To find out more the eligibility requirements and to apply, you can visit the Centrelink website here.

Coronavirus supplement

The Coronavirus Supplement is an extra amount Centrelink is paying to help people during the COVID-19 pandemic. You will automatically receive the Coronavirus Supplement, if you are receiving ABSTUDY Living Allowance payments.

The supplement is $550 a fortnight until 24 September 2020. From this date, the supplement will be reduced to $250 a fortnight until 31 December 2020.