Using Transition to Independent Living Allowance

About using the allowance 

The following information can help you identify which goods and services TILA can be used for and which cannot. The TILA – Guide for Young People provides step by step instructions to help you apply for TILA. You can print out the What can TILA be used for? fact sheet, if required. 

It’s important to remember that you decide on the best use and timing of TILA with your caseworker or support worker. Your purchase must meet the relevant life domains in your leaving care plan. You can use TILA to meet your needs outlined in your plan. You can also use it for needs that may not be included in your plan. Your caseworker can help you to make the best use of your TILA payment.  

What TILA can be used for 

Housing 

• Support to connect to utilities such as electricity and gas
• Moving costs
• Payment of rental bonds
• Pre-payment of rent.

Essential household items 

• Includes new or pre-loved household furniture and appliances such as lounges, TV, fridges, washing machines, microwaves or electrical items
• Portable air conditioner or heater that is not installed in your accommodation. 

Life skills programs 

• Financial or budgeting courses
• Cooking and nutritional courses
• Home maintenance courses. 

Employment and education 

• Purchase of books and computer/laptop
• Enrolment fees for education course
• Internet connection
• Clothing for work or a work interview
• Transport to attend studies or employment. 

Transport - Your own wheels 

• Purchase or part-payment of a car, motorbike or bicycle
• Driving lessons
• Car or motorbike registration and insurance
• Car or motorbike repairs. 

Public transport 

• Purchase of bus, ferry, train or tram passes
• Taxi fares to attend studies or employment. 

Counselling 

Counselling costs to address issues identified in your transition from care plan i.e. mental health, physical or nutritional health. 

Other items 

Other items not on this list will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

What TILA can’t be used for 

There are some goods and services that TILA can’t be used for.  

Reimbursement of previous purchases or costs 

Cannot be used to reimburse the purchases or costs of items that were paid before TILA was applied for, including: 

• moving and utility connection costs 
• cost of electrical equipment such as laptop or mobile phone 
• other items that were purchased before TILA was applied for. 

Crisis assistance 

Cannot be used to pay overdue bills, rent, speeding, parking or other fines. 

Rent-to-buy 

Cannot be used on rent-to-buy schemes for furniture or whitegoods. 

Overseas travel 

Cannot be used for overseas travel. 

TV subscription or electronic games 

Cannot be used to purchase or hire games consoles such as Nintendo Wii or Microsoft Xbox or subscriptions to paid TV services. 

Fixed housing items 

Cannot be used to purchase items that are not portable and installed in a premise that is not owned by you, such as a fixed air conditioner or heater, garden shed or a permanent garden. 

Reimbursement of moving costs 

Cannot be used to reimburse moving and utility connection costs that were paid before TILA was applied for. 

Cash 

Cannot be paid as a cash payment to you or transferred to your bank account. 

Contact us 

Email us at TILA@dss.gov.au if you have any questions regarding TILA.