WA Student Travel Subsidy Scheme - Travel Help for Isolated Students
This page is a direct rule-based guide for AU_WA_STUDENT_TRAVEL_SUBSIDY (rule version 2025-26, effective 1 July 2025). It explains the WA Student Travel Subsidy Scheme, which helps geographically isolated students with travel costs.
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Quick Answer
You may qualify if you live in Western Australia, are a full-time student or apprentice, and live in a remote or isolated area. In the questionnaire it is reached when state = WA, full_time_student_or_apprentice = true and lives_in_remote_area = true.
The value depends on your isolation and distance. It can be subsidised bus, ferry or train fares to study, or a road subsidy for private-car journeys of more than 56 kilometres to the nearest suitable school or public transport.
Outcome summary: help with the cost of travelling to school or study for students who live a long way from their nearest education option, with the amount set by isolation type and distance.
What Is This Payment?
The Student Travel Subsidy Scheme is administered by the Western Australian Department of Transport. It supports full-time school and tertiary students who are geographically isolated from their place of study.
The rule database tags it as a Group B benefit with eligibility_only as its result role. The questionnaire confirms whether you can access the scheme; the actual subsidy is calculated by the Department of Transport based on your isolation type and distance.
Support takes different forms: subsidised public transport for students in remote areas, or a per-kilometre road subsidy for families who must drive a long way to reach the nearest suitable school or public transport pick-up point.
How Much Can You Get?
The amount block is eligibility_only with period: none, so there is no fixed cash figure in this rule - the subsidy is calculated by the Department of Transport.
- Subsidised bus, ferry or train fares for isolated students travelling to study.
- A road subsidy for private-car journeys of more than 56 kilometres to the nearest suitable school or public transport.
- The amount is set by isolation type and distance, so it varies between students.
Eligibility Conditions
The eligibility block is an all set, so every condition must pass.
- Western Australian resident:
state = WA. The scheme is run by the WA Department of Transport. - Full-time student or apprentice:
full_time_student_or_apprentice = true. The student must be enrolled full-time. - Lives in a remote or isolated area:
lives_in_remote_area = true, used as a proxy for geographic isolation from the nearest suitable school or transport.
The Department of Transport assesses isolation against criteria such as the distance to the nearest suitable school or public transport pick-up point, with the 56-kilometre threshold applying to road-subsidy claims.
Because the subsidy is tailored to each student's circumstances, the assessment determines both the form of support (public transport or road subsidy) and the amount payable.
How To Apply
The channels are online and by form; you can call 13 11 56 for assistance.
- Apply online or by form through the Department of Transport.
- Provide details of the student's enrolment and your distance from the nearest suitable school or transport.
- The department assesses your isolation and confirms the subsidy form and amount.
Rule-Based Scenarios
Scenario 1: a remote-area school student
The Williams family live on a remote station. Their daughter, a full-time school student, receives subsidised travel to her boarding school under the scheme.
Scenario 2: a long daily drive
Noah's family drive him more than 56 kilometres each way to the nearest suitable school. They claim the per-kilometre road subsidy to offset fuel costs.
Scenario 3: a tertiary student in a remote town
Ella, a full-time student living in a remote town, receives subsidised public transport fares to attend her studies.
Scenario 4: a city student
Oliver lives in suburban Perth with easy access to a local school. He does not meet the isolation test, so the subsidy does not apply.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming all students qualify: the scheme is only for geographically isolated full-time students.
- Missing the distance threshold: the road subsidy applies to private-car journeys of more than 56 kilometres to the nearest suitable school or transport.
- Expecting a fixed amount: the subsidy is calculated by the Department of Transport based on isolation type and distance.
- Forgetting part-time students are excluded: the student must be enrolled full-time.
- Not contacting the department: you can call 13 11 56 if you are unsure whether your circumstances meet the isolation criteria.
- Confusing it with metropolitan student fares: this scheme targets isolation, not the standard SmartRider student concession.
Related Benefits
- WA Lower fees, local skills - fee-free and low-fee TAFE for students and apprentices.
- WA Secondary Assistance Scheme - $350 a year for secondary students of concession families.
- WA SmartRider Concession - concession public transport fares for eligible travellers.
- TransWA Concession Fare - concession fares on regional rail and coach services.
- Assistance for Isolated Children - federal help for families of geographically isolated students.
- Fares Allowance - federal travel help for tertiary students studying away from home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the WA Student Travel Subsidy Scheme for?
Geographically isolated full-time school and tertiary students in Western Australia who live a long way from their nearest place of study.
What support does it provide?
Subsidised bus, ferry or train fares, or a road subsidy for private-car journeys of more than 56 kilometres to the nearest suitable school or public transport.
How much will I get?
The amount is set by the Department of Transport based on your isolation type and distance, so it varies between students.
Do I have to be a full-time student?
Yes. The scheme requires full-time enrolment as a student or apprentice.
How do I apply?
Online or by form through the Department of Transport. You can call 13 11 56 if you need help working out your eligibility.
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