Tertiary and TAFE students
Discounted fares for eligible tertiary or TAFE students.
Eligibility
If you're a tertiary or TAFE student in New South Wales, you can get discounted fares for public transport.
To qualify, you need to live in NSW, and be:
- an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- enrolled in an accredited course with a registered higher education or vocational provider
- enrolled as a full-time student studying on-campus (exceptions for part-time students with disabilities)
International students on an Endeavour Scholarship, an Australian Awards Scholarship, or a Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship, are also eligible.
Apply for a Transport Concession Entitlement card
If you are attending an approved institution but your student ID card is not accepted, you can apply for a Transport Concession Entitlement Card.
The Transport Concession Entitlement Card proves you’re entitled to concession fares. It can also be used as proof of concession entitlement on public transport outside the Opal network in regional/rural NSW.
Check whether your institution student ID card is recognised
Before you apply
You will need:
- student ID or TAFE NSW Tertiary Student Learner Number
- your institution's name (if applicable)
- to have given consent for the tertiary institution to share your details with TfNSW, at least two days before you apply. If your institution doesn’t have a specific online form for this, you'll need to complete a consent form (PDF, 253.8KB) and hand it in to your student centre.
Please note:
- The Transport Concession Entitlement Card is free and valid for up to 15 months, as long as you remain eligible. Renew it by March 31 each year.
- The card is institution-specific. If you change institutions, you'll need to apply for a new card.
Cards are issued in line with the terms and conditions for tertiary students.

Renew or replace your card or update your details
Get a Concession Opal Card
You can apply for a Concession Opal card if you are an eligible tertiary or TAFE student. The Concession Opal card allows you to pay reduced fares on public transport within the Opal network.
To get a Concession Opal card, you will need:
- your student enrolment information
- your student ID card from a TfNSW approved institution or your transport concession entitlement card
- to have given consent for your tertiary institution to share your details with TfNSW, at least 2 days before you apply. Of your institution doesn’t have a specific online form for this, you'll need to complete a consent form (PDF, 253.8KB) and hand it in to your student centre.
Please note:
- The Concession Opal card will be mailed to you within 5-7 working days once eligibility is confirmed.
- You'll then need to activate your Opal card.