The Away from Base program provides financial aid to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who need to travel for more than 90 minutes to reach their study location. The program is supported by the Australian Government.
If you need to live or travel away from your home base to study, you may be eligible to have your training expenses covered. This may include costs associated with:
A dedicated Aboriginal Support Officer can guide you through your enrolment at TAFE NSW.
To be eligible you need:
Eligible students may receive financial assistance to help cover the costs of travel, accommodation, and meals when their study location is more than 90 minutes away by public transport.
To apply, you must provide proof of ABSTUDY eligibility, demonstrate that you live more than 90 minutes away from your study location by public transport, and be enrolled in a flexible delivery ABSTUDY-approved course. Additionally, you are required to agree to the Away from Base student Terms and Conditions.
A dedicated Aboriginal Support Officer is available to guide you through the enrolment process at TAFE NSW and can assist with any questions you may have about the program.
For support, please email us at awayfrombase@tafensw.edu.au.
Note: Away from Base funding assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with study-related travel and accommodation expenses, but it doesn't cover traineeships or apprenticeships. If your employer supports your studies or your course doesn't require you to study away from home, this funding isn't applicable. Other funding options may be available.