ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

The Australian Government acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

Indigenous.gov.au Connecting With First Nations Australians
Back to News

Important ABSTUDY information for new high school students

25 October 2022
Children and Schooling
Beach shore picture taken from above

Parents and guardians of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students starting high school in 2023 can claim ABSTUDY now.

ABSTUDY is a group of payments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and apprentices. It can help students from the start of their secondary studies all the way through to postgraduate study.

Families can first claim ABSTUDY when their child is about to start high school to get help with:

  • going to an orientation activity if they need to move away for school
  • school fees
  • boarding fees
  • travel costs  
  • other school items.

Families and students thinking about ABSTUDY are encouraged to put their claim in before the end of the year. Claiming early is important to make sure the claim is finalised in time for the start of school in 2023. This is especially important if a student needs to move away from home to study.

Call ABSTUDY to claim

Families can claim by calling Services Australia’s ABSTUDY line on 1800 132 317.

Parents with children younger than 16 need to claim on their child’s behalf.  Students and apprentices, who are 16 and over, or independent, need to call themselves.

Spread the word

Please share information about claiming ABSTUDY with your community. There are new resources in the Services Australia ABSTUDY eKits including:

  • factsheets for parents, guardians and community members
  • brochures for students about travelling with ABSTUDY
  • links to new videos on YouTube about ABSTUDY
  • a powerpoint presentation
  • colourful posters to print and display
  • an Easy Read guide to ABSTUDY

You can also share Services Australia social media posts about ABSTUDY on your community’s Facebook accounts. For example, the Open day with ABSTUDY post has tips for getting help from ABSTUDY to go to an open day.

Go to the Services Australia website to read more about ABSTUDY.