Regional apprentices and trainees in the region can now apply for the NSW Nationals in government’s $250 Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card is a budget-boosting initiative to help ease cost of living pressures in the bush where young people face long distances to get to and from work or training.
“I’m pleased to announce that from today, more than 51,000 regional apprentices and trainees, aged between 16 and 66, can save apply to save $250 on fuel and public transport to help with the cost of travelling to work or study,” Ms Cooke said.
“From today, if you’re an apprentice or trainee, you can get down to your local Service NSW centre and apply for the $250 Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card and it will be sent to you within weeks.
“If you’re a parent or partner of an apprentice or trainee and you take them to their work or study, encourage them to apply to help towards fuel costs.
“This initiative follows a recent announcement which will see young drivers able to apply for a grant of up to $5,000 to get into a safer car.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the card was a win for apprentices and trainees hard at work in restaurants, childcare centres, and on farms and construction sites across regional NSW.
“It’s a $250 boost that will ease the cost of filling up the tank or catching transport to work or class for thousands of people working towards their future career,” Mr Toole said.
Applications for university students will open from the end of April when enrolments are confirmed. Apprentices and trainees have until 30 November to apply for the 2023 card.
The initiative will run as a two-year trial until the end of 2024.
More details about eligibility and how to apply can be found at: www.service.nsw.gov.au/regional-apprentice-and-university-student-travel-card
