Opal concession eligibility
As a Macquarie domestic student, you may be eligible for concession travel with Transport for NSW. Find out about the eligibility criteria and steps to follow to get your Concession Opal card.
New students
If you are enrolled as a full-time, internal student at Macquarie University, you may be eligible for concession travel on public transport in NSW. To order a Concession Opal card, follow the steps below under How to Apply.
Continuing students
Continuing students no longer need to submit a new declaration each year for your Concession Opal card to remain active. If you have:
- previously submitted your declaration via AskMQ, you don't need to submit another one.
- not previously submitted a declaration to enable you to apply for a Concession Opal card, follow the steps below under How to Apply.
Eligibility
To check your eligibility, please go to the Transport for NSW (TfNSW) website or read their transport concession guidelines [PDF 235KB].
International tertiary students are generally not entitled to concession fares in NSW. To understand the eligibility requirements, international students can check the TfNSW tertiary students information.
How to apply
Follow these simple steps to apply for your Concession Opal card. Make sure you have your enrolment information handy when you apply.
- Log in to eStudent and navigate to the ‘Forms’ section. Fill out the Transport Concession Declaration form to allow MQ to share your eligibility/enrolment status with TfNSW.
- Wait 24 to 48 hours for the TfNSW Opal system to receive your declaration.
- Go to TfNSW Concession Opal Card and apply by either visiting opal.com.au or calling 13 67 25 (13 OPAL).
Your Concession Opal card will arrive in the post, generally, within five to seven working days. You should then activate the new card before using it to travel.
- If you have filled in the declaration but are still having trouble applying, please check your eligibility.
- If you have verified your eligibility but are still having problems, check out our FAQs below to troubleshoot your situation.
Student ID
Tertiary student proof of entitlement
- For travel within the Opal network, you will need one of the following as well as your Concession Opal card:
- an Approved Form of Student ID Card (Macquarie's student campus card has been approved by TfNSW)
- a Transport Concession Entitlement Card
- For travel in regional NSW (outside the Opal network), you will need a Transport Concession Entitlement Card as well as a paper ticket.
You must carry these cards when you travel. If you do not have your Concession Opal card and proof of entitlement (your student campus card), you will need to pay for and travel with an adult fare or you may be fined.
Consent to disclosure of your personal information
You need to:
- read and consent to the Privacy Notice and Declaration, and
- agree to the sharing this information with TfNSW by completing the Transport Concession Declaration form in eStudent.
This will allow the University to send your name, date of birth and University OneID to Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to verify your tertiary student status and enable you to receive student concession travel.
For details regarding TfNSW's privacy and information handling practices, please see the TfNSW Privacy Statement.
For more information about the privacy and information handling practices related to the ordering and use of the Opal Card in particular, please see the Opal Privacy Policy.
Opposing your enrolment information being sent to TfNSW
If you do not want your eligibility/enrolment status information to be shared with TfNSW, you are not required to provide your consent to the Privacy Notice and Declaration.
If you don't provide your consent, your eligibility status will not be disclosed to TfNSW. However, if the University does not disclose your eligibility information to TfNSW, you won't be able to apply for a Concession Opal card through the online application process at the TfNSW website (see link above).
Troubleshooting
The checklist below may help you resolve any issues with your Concession Opal card.
To check your eligibility, please go to the Transport for NSW (TfNSW) website or read their transport concession guidelines [PDF 235KB].
You may not be eligible if you are:
- not enrolled in a sufficient number of credit points (eg. studying part-time)
- enrolled in too many online/external units
- not a domestic student
- trying to order a concession card too early (usually more than 2 weeks before session is too early).
In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements, you must submit a Transport Concession Declaration form via eStudent to receive a Concession Opal card.
If you have recently withdrawn from any units, check to see that you are enrolled in the minimum number of internal units required to be eligible for a transport concession.
If you have previously submitted your declaration form, you do not need to submit an additional form.
You may require an eligibility override from Service Connect. If you meet the eligibility requirements and experience issues when ordering your Concession Opal card (no earlier than two weeks prior to the start of session/term), please contact Service Connect for assistance.
You may require an eligibility override from Service Connect. If you meet the eligibility requirements and experience issues when ordering a Concession Opal card, please contact Service Connect for assistance.
When you apply for your Concession card on the Opal website, please ensure all your details match your Macquarie details, including your student email address and full name.
You will need to request a new Concession Opal card from Transport for NSW. Ensure you have submitted the Transport Concession Declaration Form with Macquarie University and still meet the eligibility requirements.
FAQs
Transport for NSW usually accepts applications for Concession Opal cards no earlier than two weeks prior to the start of session.
Check to ensure you continue to meet the eligibility requirements set by Transport for NSW.
You do not need to wait until the start of the next study period to apply for a Concession Opal card, however you need to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements.
You need to update your Residency Status before you order a Concession Opal card. Follow the “Change of residency” information on this fees information page.