Tertiary or TAFE students

NSW tertiary students are eligible to apply for concession fares in NSW if they are enrolled full-time in either:

• an accredited course of study with a registered higher education provider, or
• a Vocational Education and Training (VET) accredited course.

Tertiary students must also be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia.

A full-time student means:

• a university student who is considered to be enrolled on a full-time, on-campus basis by their university, or
• a student enrolled in an accredited course of study requiring at least 16 hours per week of classes on campus for a continuous period of at least six weeks.

Tertiary students with a disability that are enrolled part-time may also be eligible.

Check if you are attending an approved tertiary institution.

International students are only entitled to concession fares when their study is fully funded by specified Australian Government scholarships.

International students on an Endeavour Scholarship, an Australian Awards Scholarship, or an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship, are also eligible.

NSW TrainLink Regional services

If you are an eligible international student, you must carry a valid proof of entitlement to travel on concession fares across NSW.

Find out more about international student eligibility for travel on NSW TrainLink Regional services.

You can apply for a Transport Concession Entitlement Card if you are attending an approved institution.

Before you apply

• Check your eligibility.
• Confirm you are attending an approved tertiary institution.
• Check to see if your student ID is accepted as proof of entitlement. If you are attending an approved institution but your student card is not accepted, you need to apply for a Transport Concession Entitlement Card.
• Give your tertiary institution consent to share your details with Transport for NSW. If your institution doesn’t have a specific online form for this, you can complete a consent form (pdf 254KB) and hand it in to your student centre. Please allow two business days for your information to reach Transport for NSW before applying for a Transport Concession Entitlement Card and a Concession Opal card.

Next, consider where you need to travel:

• If you need to travel in rural/regional NSW or intend to use NSW TrainLink services, you must apply for your Transport Concession Entitlement Card.
• If you need to travel in the Opal network, once you have either a valid Transport Concession Entitlement Card or an approved student ID card, you can apply for a Concession Opal card, giving you access to concession fares. Find out how to order a Concession Opal card.

Complete the online application

After you have checked if you are attending an approved institution and given consent to your tertiary institution, you can complete the online application:

• Select the ‘Apply online’ button
• Select the entitlement type and enter your student ID number and your institution's name (if applicable).
• Complete the online application.

Please note:

• The Transport Concession Entitlement card is free, and valid for up to 15 months as long you’re still eligible. You need to apply to renew it by 31 March every year.
• The Transport Concession Entitlement card is specific to one institution. If you change institutions, you'll need to apply for another card.

Apply online

If you are still eligible, you can apply to renew your Transport Concession Entitlement Card up to 30 days before it expires. You'll need to renew it by 31 March each year.

You will need:

• student ID or TAFE NSW Tertiary Student Learner Number
• your institution's name (if applicable).

How to renew:

• Select the ‘Renew online’ button
• Complete the online application.

Please note:

• If your card is expired, you will need to travel with an Adult Opal card or Adult Single Trip ticket until your replacement Transport Concession Entitlement Card arrives. If you travel with a Concession Opal card without a proof of concession entitlement you can be fined.
• The Transport Concession Entitlement Card is free, and valid for up to 15 months as long you’re still eligible.
• The Transport Concession Entitlement Card is specific to one institution. If you change institutions, you'll need to apply for another card.

Renew online

If your Transport Concession Entitlement card is lost or stolen, you can order a replacement online (a fee may apply).

How to replace

• Select the ‘Replace online’ button. 
• Complete the online application.

Please note:

• If you have lost your Transport Concession Entitlement Card within the first 14 days of your application, you will need to submit a request online for a replacement Transport Concession Entitlement Card.
• A card replacement fee may apply.
• You will need to travel with an Adult Opal card or Adult Single Trip ticket until your replacement Transport Concession Entitlement Card arrives. If you travel with a Concession Opal card without a proof of concession entitlement you can be fined. 
• If the lost or stolen card is due to expire within 30 days, you need to renew your card and be reassessed for eligibility.

Replace online

If you have changed your name, address, email address, phone number or title, you can update your details for your Transport Concession Entitlement Card online.

Update your details

• Select the 'Update my details' button
• Complete the online form to update your details

Update my details

In the Opal network, the Concession Opal card for tertiary students gives eligible applicants reduced fares for travel on public transport between home and their tertiary institution. The Opal network includes metro and Sydney and Intercity train services, buses, ferries and light rail.

You cannot travel with a Child/Youth Opal card or Child/Youth Opal single tickets.

Proof of entitlement cards for travel inside the Opal network

When travelling on your Concession Opal card in the Opal network, you must carry your proof of entitlement, such as:

• either your physical student ID card from a TfNSW approved institution
• or your Transport Concession Entitlement Card, if:
  • your institution's student ID card is not recognised, or
  • you're an approved international student (pdf 347KB).

How to get your Concession Opal card

First give your consent

For privacy reasons you'll first need to check with your student centre whether you have already given your consent for your institution to share your details with Transport for NSW. If you haven’t, and your institution doesn't have a specific online form for this, you’ll need to complete this consent form and hand it in to your student centre.

Please allow two business days for your information to reach Transport for NSW before applying for your Concession Opal card.

Check if you are eligible

1. Confirm you are attending an approved tertiary institution.
2. Check to see if your student ID is accepted as proof of entitlement. If you are attending an approved institution but your student card is not accepted, you need to apply for a Transport Concession Entitlement Card

Order your Concession Opal card

Once you have an approved proof of entitlement card and have given consent to your institution, you can apply for a Concession Opal card on the Opal website.

• Select 'Apply on the Opal website' button.
• Select 'I want to order a concession Opal card'.
• Select 'Continue ordering an Opal card'.
• Complete the registration details.
• Enter your entitlement details.
• Decide on your top up amount and make your payment. Select 'Submit'.
• Complete the online application.

Apply on the Opal website

Once your eligibility is confirmed by TfNSW, your Concession Opal card will be mailed to you within 5-7 working days. You'll then need to Activate your Opal card.

Terms and conditions

Cards are issued in line with the terms and conditions for tertiary students.

Find out more about Opal terms of use.

Replacement cards

For a replacement Concession Opal card: call 13 67 25 (13 OPAL). A replacement fee may apply.

Sydney Airport train station access fee

Eligible tertiary students pay the Concession Sydney Airport station access fee when travelling with a Concession Opal card to or from the airport train stations.

NSW TrainLink Regional services

In regional NSW, eligible tertiary students are entitled to concession fares with a Transport Concession Entitlement Card on all NSW TrainLink Regional services (excluding sleeping berths).

When making a booking, you’ll need to produce your Transport Concession Entitlement Card and quote your student ID number which is printed on the back of the card.

Eligible international students are entitled to concession fares with an accepted form of proof of entitlement. Find out more about international student eligibility for travel on NSW TrainLink Regional services.

No further concessions apply when booking sleeping berths.

Rural and regional travel

In rural and regional NSW you need to show your Transport Concession Entitlement card to bus drivers to purchase a concession fare.

Some privately owned and operated services may not offer concession travel for NSW Tertiary Student Concession Card holders.

Check with your local transport operator before you travel to find out if you're entitled to concession fares on privately-operated local bus services.

Transport Concession Entitlement Card for eligible tertiary students

1. A Transport Concession Entitlement Card is not a ticket for travel. A valid Transport Concession Entitlement Card entitles you to purchase concession fares on public transport within NSW.
2. When travelling on Opal services, you must use your Concession Opal card issued to you by Transport for NSW to pay for your journey and carry your valid Transport Concession Entitlement Card or an Approved Form of Student ID to demonstrate your proof of entitlement to the concession fare. For more information on Approved Forms of Student ID please refer to the Guidelines for Issuing NSW Tertiary Student Concessions (pdf 237KB). For a list of Tertiary Institutions with an Approved Form of Student ID, visit www.transportnsw.info/tertiary-students.
3. When travelling on Opal services using your Concession Opal card, you must produce your valid Transport Concession Entitlement Card or an Approved Form of Student ID upon request by a bus driver, Revenue Protection Officer or Police. Failure to produce your Transport Concession Entitlement Card or an Approved Form of Student ID upon request may result in a fine being issued to you.
4. When travelling on other services, you must show your valid Transport Concession Entitlement Card to purchase a ticket at the concession fare. You must continue to carry your valid Transport Concession Entitlement Card at all times when travelling on a concession fare and produce it upon request by a bus driver, Revenue Protection Officer or Police. Failure to produce your Transport Concession Entitlement Card upon request may result in a fine being issued to you.
5. To be eligible for a Transport Concession Entitlement Card as a tertiary student you must meet the eligibility criteria set out in the guidelines published by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) pursuant to the Transport Administration Act 1988 (NSW) or other legislation (Guidelines). The Guidelines can be found at Guidelines for Issuing NSW Tertiary Student Concessions (pdf 237KB).
6. Your eligibility for a Transport Concession Entitlement Card will be assessed by your tertiary institution in accordance with the Guidelines.
7. The Transport Concession Entitlement Card is not transferable and must only be used by you. You must not allow other people to use your Transport Concession Entitlement Card.
8. Your Transport Concession Entitlement Card is valid for up to 15 months after it is issued, subject to you continuing to meet the eligibility criteria. The expiry date is printed on the back of your Transport Concession Entitlement Card.
9. If you still meet the eligibility criteria you can renew your Transport Concession Entitlement Card up to 30 days before expiry. Applications for new cards can be made online at www.transportnsw.info/tertiary-students. It is your responsibility to renew your Transport Concession Entitlement Card and you may be fined if you travel without having a valid Transport Concession Entitlement Card.
10. If you no longer meet the eligibility criteria you will no longer be entitled to concession fares, and will no longer be able to use your Concession Opal card (if you have one), and must no longer use your Transport Concession Entitlement Card.
11. If your Transport Concession Entitlement Card is lost or stolen you can apply for a replacement card which, subject to you still being eligible, will have the same expiry date as your previous card. Applications for replacement cards can be made online at www.transportnsw.info/tertiary-students. A card replacement fee may apply.
12. The Transport Concession Entitlement Card remains the property of Transport for NSW.
13. You must pay a full adult fare if you do not hold a valid Transport Concession Entitlement Card. This includes if you are waiting for a replacement card or a new card. Note: An exception is if you are travelling on Opal services and holding a valid Concession Opal card and Approved Form of Student ID.

1. Transport for NSW (TfNSW) is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information in accordance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW) and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW).

   We collect, hold and use personal information for specific purposes relevant to our functions. Personal information you provide in relation to your application is collected for the purpose of administering and managing your Transport Concession Entitlement Card and Concession Opal card, and for directly related purposes such as audit, management and operational activities for concession travel.

   You may choose not to provide your personal information or health information. However this may mean that it is not possible or practicable for us to deal with your application for concession travel. We also generally require them to manage the personal and health information that they hold on our behalf in a way that complies with the NSW privacy laws.

   For information about how your personal information is collected, used and disclosed by us please see our Privacy Policy at transport.nsw.gov.au/about/privacy.

   For information about how your personal information is collected, used and disclosed in the Opal ticketing system, read our Opal Privacy Policy at transportnsw.info/opal-privacy-policy.

   Transport for NSW will keep your information at 18 Lee Street, Chippendale NSW 2008. You can ask to access or amend your personal information held by us at any time during business hours, by contacting privacy@transport.nsw.gov.au or PO Box K659 Haymarket NSW 1240.

2. These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time. Any changes will take effect when they are published on our website.