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Communities and Justice

Transition to Independent Living Allowance (TILA)

The Transition to Independent Living Allowance (TILA) is a one-off allowance of up to $1,500 per person, designed to help young people aged 15-25 years get the best possible start when leaving out-of-home care.

Caseworkers must apply on behalf of the young person using the NSW TILA application form (PDF, 465.7 KB) and sending it to TILA@dcj.nsw.gov.au. Caseworkers do not need to contact DSS directly; all questions and applications must be sent to TILA@dcj.nsw.gov.au.

TILA is provided by the Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS) and is administered by the DCJ Care Leavers Line.

Who is eligible

The young person must meet all the following criteria:

  • Be an Australian citizen or permanent Australian resident who resides in Australia at the time of application for TILA
  • Be aged 15-25 years at the time of the application
  • Have been in, or is currently in, statutory OOHC on a court order
  • Have left the care of the state Department* after the age of 15 years and was last in the Department’s care for a continuous period of at least six months
  • Either be getting ready to leave (within 12 weeks of applying), be currently in the process of leaving, or have already left statutory OOHC
  • Have a leaving care plan
  • Have not received the full amount of TILA assistance previously (total is $1,500)
  • Have agreed with the caseworker that the proposed use and timing of TILA is appropriate.

* NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) or NGO OOHC provider authorised by DCJ.

What can TILA be used for?

TILA helps young people achieve care plan goals. It can be used for a range of things, including:

  • White goods – fridge, washing machine
  • Kitchen appliances – microwave, toaster, blender, mixer
  • Furniture – lounge room and dining room suites, coffee table, TV stand/entertainment unit, bed and bedroom furniture
  • Bedding and linen – mattress, sheets, pillows, doona, rugs, towels
  • Food and clothing
  • One-off transport expenses – bus or train pass, driving lessons, car or motorcycle purchase, registration, insurance, car/motorcycle repairs to make it roadworthy, bicycle
  • Educational expenses – laptop or desktop computer, clothing for school, textbooks, enrolment fees for school, TAFE or university, broadband connection
  • Employment expenses – work tools, interview and work clothes
  • Utility connection fees – phone, electricity and gas connections.

TILA is not designed to be used on an ad hoc basis for crisis assistance.

What is the application process?

Caseworkers must apply on behalf of the young person. They need to:

Once the application has been reviewed and approved, the TILA payment is generally processed within 10-12 working days.

Further information

For enquiries, contact the DCJ Care Leavers Line on 1800 994 686 or careleavers@dcj.nsw.gov.au.

Applications must be sent to TILA@dcj.nsw.gov.au. 

Additional information is available on the DSS website, Applying for Transition to Independent Living Allowance.

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