New South Wales

Summary of Eligibility Requirements

You may be ineligible for concession travel if you belong to any of the following groups:

 

Institutions

  • Charles Sturt University
  • Macquarie University
  • Southern Cross University
  • University of New England
  • University of New South Wales
  • University of Newcastle
  • University of Sydney
  • University of Technology Sydney
  • University of Western Sydney
  • University of Wollongong
  • Australian Catholic University
  • The College of Law Pty Ltd
  • Sydney College of Divinity
  • Australian College of Applied Psychology

Conditions

Full-time domestic tertiary students who attend day classes and are not in paid employment or otherwise receiving an income are entitled to half fare concessions for travel on government rail and ferry services. International students are not eligible for concession travel except those on approved Australian Government exchange or sponsorship programs (Study Abroad and Exchange Program or Australian Development Scholarships i.e. AusAID).

For the purposes of accessing concession travel, students receiving Commonwealth income support (such as Austudy, ABSTUDY or Youth Allowance) or who are on approved scholarships, living allowances or bursaries (such as scholarships for full-time research students: Australian Postgraduate Award (APA), APA (Industry), National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) PhD Scholarship or any scholarship of equivalent value and nature to an APA) are not considered to be "earning an income" (and are therefor eligible).

Students engaged in part-time work are therefore ineligible for concession travel on public transport. This disadvantages postgraduates in particular, as they have very limited access to student income support. 

Tertiary students visiting from interstate

Eligible students enrolled in ACT-based institution are eligible for transport concessions in NSW (the same eligibility criteria apply as with NSW students).

Service covered 

The NSW Student Identification Card (Form 204) provides for concession travel at all times:

  • Metropolitan and Outer Metropolitan bus services (both government and privately operated)
  • Sydney Ferries services
  • Newcastle Ferries services
  • CityRail services (including AirportLink)
  • CountryLink services
  • Great Southern Railways services.

It does not apply to special and premium services, charter services, Special Event services or privately operated tourism services.

Health Care Card

A Health Care Card provides no entitlement to transport concessions in NSW. Eligible applicants need to apply to Centrelink for a "Half Fare Entitlement" card which can be used for travel concession purposes.

Separate ID card not required

Eligible students require only a sticker from their education provider to be placed on their Student ID card.