The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

3.8.9.50 Travel outside the study year for FAA

Travel before or after study

FAA may be paid to a student who travels before or after the year of study, PROVIDED they are eligible for FAA and the journey is completed and claimed for before 1 April of the year following the year of study.

Example: A continuing student who travels in December 2021 to commence a course in February 2022 must claim FAA before 1 April 2023.

Change of circumstances

A student's eligibility for FAA must be reassessed if their circumstances change in the period between:

  • ceasing studies, and
  • actual travel and claim.

In this case, FAA is ONLY payable if they still meet the living away from permanent home criteria at the date of travel.

In particular, a student who ceases study has until 31 March the following year to claim their entitlement for travel to the institution and back to their permanent home. If several months have passed since a student withdrew, the delegate must ensure that they would still have been eligible for FAA at the time of the travel.

Example: Leanne was eligible for FAA as she was dependent and living away from her permanent home. She has since married and lived with her partner. Leanne would NO LONGER be considered eligible for FAA, as her permanent home has changed and she is no longer living away from it.

Act reference: SSAct section 1061ZAAA Qualification for FAA, section 1061ZAAB Journey by person who is not an external student, section 1061ZAAC Journey by person who is an external student

SS(Admin)Act section 27 Time limit for claim

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.8.9.10 Eligibility for FAA, 3.8.9.30 Determining the FAA reimbursement for Austudy, PES & YA, 3.8.9.40 Change in circumstances during the study year for FAA

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