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The Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) is a one off payment of up to $5,000. It’s to help eligible students with the cost of moving to study. This is for study after you’ve finished year 12 or equivalent.

To get this payment you must meet all of the following things:

• be an Australian resident meeting residence rules
• come from an inner regional, outer regional or remote area
• move to study at a tertiary education provider that’s at least 90 minutes away from your family home location by public transport
• have completed year 12 or equivalent
• studying a tertiary course at certificate IV or above
• be 22 or younger on the day you start your tertiary course
• have parents or guardians whose income is under the current combined parental income limit of $250,000 if you are a dependant.

You can claim this payment in your first year of tertiary study only.

To get the payment, you must be studying one of the following:

• university course
• Vocational Educational and Training (VET) course
• other higher education course.

You meet the rules for qualifying study if you do all of the following:

• study a certificate IV or above at an accredited Australian tertiary education provider
• study at least 75% of a full-time study load
• study a course with a minimum duration of one academic year.

You may still be eligible if you can’t study full time. This needs to be for a special reason and you’ll need to provide proof.

There are also rules you need to meet for the delivery of your study program. It must be one of the following:

• face-to-face
• a combination of face-to-face and online study
• at a Regional University Study Hub or Suburban University Study Hub.

The Australian Government Indigenous Apprenticeships Program (IAP) is an entry-level program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to join the Australian Public Service (APS).

Since its inception, the IAP has provided over 2,100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people opportunities to start a career in the APS. These are people with diverse backgrounds including school-leavers, people finishing study and people looking for a new career. The program is a great way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to join and contribute to the public service.

Participants gain valuable skills and experience throughout the program, working alongside dedicated people and teams.

This program consists of:

• Full-time work and study: Gain valuable experience while working and studying towards a formal qualification. 
• Variety of roles: Work in different positions depending on your placement agency. 
• Training and development: Access structured training to help you build your skills. 
• Support throughout: Benefit from support provided by your Indigenous mentor, buddy, and study resources to ensure your success. 

Working with the Australian Government offers excellent benefits, including:

• Meaningful Work: Contribute to your community from day one and see the impact you make. 
• Career Advancement: Complete a Certificate IV or a Diploma in Government, depending on your role. 
• Support Network: Get help from your manager, an Indigenous mentor, a buddy, and more. We’re committed to your success. 
• Attractive Salary and Superannuation: Enjoy a competitive salary and generous superannuation benefits. 
• Study Support: Study during work hours to help you complete your qualification.

You can apply for an additional Child Care Subsidy for Temporary Financial Hardship due to a natural disaster.

The High-Risk Settings Pandemic Payment is to provide lump sum financial assistance to limit the financial hardship of eligible individuals working in high risk settings who are, or were, unable to work and earn an income as a result of having tested positive with COVID-19.

The High-Risk Settings Pandemic Payment grant program commences on 15 October 2022 and replaces the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment that ends on 14 October 2022. The High-Risk Settings Pandemic Payment supports eligible workers in high-risk settings to not attend work for a seven day period of workplace exclusion if they test positive to COVID-19, in order to mitigate the risk of infection within the high-risk setting.

The amount of High-Risk Settings Pandemic Payment that is payable is determined by the number of hours the person would have worked during their period of workplace exclusion due to testing positive with COVID-19. All eligible people who test positive with COVID-19 on or after 00:01am, 15 October 2022 and are excluded from work in a high-risk setting for 7 days, will receive:

• $750 if they would have worked 20 hours or more; or
• $450 if they would have worked a full day or at least 8 hours and up to 20 hours of work.

Only one payment can be claimed for each period of infection.

For the purposes of High-Risk Settings Pandemic Payment, a “high-risk setting” means a setting or workplace in which the person works that involves close personal care and support services involving frequent close contact in the following settings:

• Aged Care, including home care that involves close personal care and support services involving frequent close contact.
• Disability care, including disability home care that involves close personal care and support services involving frequent close contact.
• Aboriginal healthcare, including workforce employed by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, community health care, Aboriginal drug and alcohol services and support services involving frequent close contact.
• Hospital care, including day hospitals and smaller facilities, paramedical, ambulance, patient transport and support services involving frequent close contact.

The number of times a person can receive a High-Risk Settings Pandemic Payment will be capped at three in a six month period. The payment count will start from 1 July and take into consideration any prior claims, including previous Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment claims from this date.