Transport Assistance Program for Deakin University Students

Struggling to cover transport costs?
We're here to help.

University can be expensive and books, stationery and transport can become very costly – very quickly!

Experiencing financial hardship can make travelling to and from campus difficult, whether it is through public transport or via vehicle. For students who study only online and are required to travel to campus for intensives, the potential costs of transport and accommodation can become extremely overwhelming and stressful.

DUSA provides the Transport Assistance Program which is accessible for all students experiencing financial hardship and provides the following financial assistance opportunities.

For students that are enrolled on campus

• Driving to and from Campus (Burwood and Waurn Ponds)
  Subsidised ($100 payment) or fully funded 120 or 365 day Deakin University parking vPermit.
  Please note: Deakin University’s parking vPermits are not valid at the Warrnambool or Waterfront Campus. Please see below for the parking assistance program for Waterfront Students.
• Catching public transport to and from Campus (Burwood, Waurn Ponds, Warrnambool and Waterfront)
  Public Transport Assistance – 7 Day or 30 Day Travel Pass/es.
  Valid for bus, train and tram trips in metropolitan Melbourne (Zone 1 and 2), all regional town buses, PTV inter-town buses, V/Line coaches, and V/Line trains.
  Please note: If a student has applied for more than three passes within a calendar year, the student will be required to meet with our Financial Counsellor prior to assessment of subsequent applications.

For students that are enrolled online

• Transport and/or accommodation reimbursement for attending a compulsory intensive on Campus:
  Intensive Travel Support – a maximum reimbursement of $200 which was used for travel or accommodation.
  Available once per year for one compulsory unit intensive.
  Reimbursement can either be for the maximum program amount, or partial reimbursement based on assessment of expenses, circumstances, financial capacity and available program funds. A maximum reimbursement of $100 per night for accommodation. Paid invoice/s are required to be in the name of the applicant. As this is a reimbursement, the intensive must have already occurred prior to an application for reimbursement assessment.

In order to be eligible for the Transport Assistance Program, students must be required to attend campus or a placement location as part of their course to be considered.

To lodge an application students are required to provide information in the online application form comments section and evidence of their financial situation, including the ‘Transport Assistance Budget Form’ via the Online Transport Assistance Application Form. You will be contacted within 5 working days with the outcome of your application and if successful, the next steps required.

Please note: Successful vPermit and Travel Pass applicants are required to attend campus to receive their vPermit or Travel Pass. vPermits and Travel Passes must be issued directly to the applicants and not able to be processed remotely.

As DUSA has a limited number of permits and assistance packages on offer, students deemed to have the greatest need and who have clearly demonstrated financial hardship will be offered transport assistance. In some instances, students will be required to attend an appointment with our Financial Counsellor for ongoing support.

Applications can be submitted via the link below, please contact us if you have any questions.

• Online Transport Assistance Application Form - To apply for the Transport Assistance Program, please complete this online form.
• Transport Assistance Budget Form 2023 - Please ensure you attach this Budget Form with your application.

For 2023 only - Transport Assistance Program off campus parking available for Waterfront Students

With extremely limited parking at the Waterfront campus from the 20th March onwards (due to construction), DUSA have a small number of free parking spots available for use at the Westfield Shopping Centre (95 Malop St, Geelong VIC 3220) for 2023.
To be eligible to obtain assistance with parking, you must demonstrate either:
- Financial hardship caused by using alternative transport options.
AND/OR
- Experience extenuating circumstances as to why other parking/ transport options are not feasible such as disability or carer responsibilities.
If financial hardship and/or extenuating circumstances are not indicated within your application below, your application will not be assessed as you will not be eligible.
Please note that unfortunately students living at Deakin Residential Services are not eligible. If you are not eligible for this parking assistance, please see other transport options please here.

If you would like to apply for the off campus parking for Waterfront Students, please complete this application form.