The Australian Government supports improved educational access for Indigenous Australians, particularly those people living in remote and regional areas where educational opportunities may be limited.
Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to study mixed-mode or distance education is available through two different Away from Base (AFB) programs administered by Services Australia and the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA).
The AFB programs assist higher education and VET training providers to support Indigenous students who study via mixed-mode or distance education to travel away from home for short periods to access on-campus blocks of study, attend field trips and placements for their studies. Funding is used to cover the cost of meals, accommodation and travel. A ‘mixed-mode’ course is a nationally accredited course that is delivered through a combination of distance education and face-to-face residential teaching. AFB funding is not available for students enrolled in studies fulltime on campus, nor does it cover any course delivery costs.
Students can only be supported under one AFB program. They cannot receive support under both the Services Australia ABSTUDY AFB Assistance and the NIAA AFB program.
ABSTUDY Away from Base Assistance
Services Australia, with policy oversight from the Department of Finance, is responsible for the administration and delivery of the ABSTUDY AFB Assistance program through the ABSTUDY Scheme. Students can access travel support through Services Australia or through their educational institution. For information on that program please view the ABSTUDY Policy Manual or explore entitlements under the ABSTUDY scheme.
NIAA Away from Base program
The NIAA AFB program supports Indigenous students who are studying an approved mixed-mode course by distance education. It assists access to compulsory course elements in another location away from the student’s permanent home for short periods of time. AFB funding is provided directly to eligible higher education and not-for-profit Registered Training Organisations.
Evaluation of the Away from Base Program
The NIAA commissioned an evaluation of the AFB programs that was completed in 2021. The evaluation assessed the extent to which the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying via mixed-mode are met through the Government’s AFB programs. The evaluation also assessed the administrative effectiveness and efficiency of the programs.
The Evaluation of the Away from Base Program – Final Report provides 11 findings and 8 recommendations in relation to the two current AFB programs.