TRANSPORT SUPPORT FOR REGIONAL STUDENTS

I welcome the imminent introduction of the Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card in April 2023.

 

This new student concession program recognises the myriad of ways that students travel and so the card provides $250 of credit towards public transport, petrol, Opal card top-ups, taxi rides, electric charging stations and privately operated coaches.

 

Currently the card is available to those who are in an active apprenticeship or traineeship registered with Training Services NSW, or a student undertaking an undergraduate degree full-time and face-to-face and enrolled at one of the eligible participating campuses. 

 

You are not eligible if you are completing postgraduate, diploma or certificate studies, a full fee-paying overseas university student, attending a non-university institution, an apprentice or trainee participating in school or corrective services-based programs. 

 

I support this card being made available to any student wanting to study regionally – and including metro students who study regionally. We know that where you study makes a difference to where you end up working and we have shortages across a range of professions and trades from health to education, engineering to motor trades and freight drivers. So why not attract more students to regional areas by including metro students who travel to rural to study?

 

I acknowledge this initiative from the minister and call upon Minister Farraway to consider broadening the eligibility criteria so that all students can benefit from this scheme.

Joe McGirr Office