Sydney rent might be the headline cost, but transport is the weekly expense that quietly stacks up. If you’re eligible for a student opal card, the savings are real, because your travel is capped lower and your fares are discounted compared with adult travel. 

Student opal card 

A student opal card is a Concession Opal card for eligible tertiary and TAFE students in NSW. If you qualify, you pay concession fares and you’re capped at AUD$9.65 Monday to Thursday, AUD$4.80 Friday to Sunday and public holidays, and AUD$25 per week.
Most full-fee international students are not eligible, except certain full scholarship holders.
To apply for student opal card access, you usually give consent for your uni to share your enrolment details, then order your Concession Opal card online and carry proof of entitlement when you travel. 

Who gets a student opal card in NSW

Transport for NSW sets the rules for the opal card student concession for tertiary and TAFE students. In plain terms, you’re generally eligible if you:

• Live in NSW (Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Parramatta, etc)

• Are an Australian citizen or permanent resident 

• Are enrolled in an accredited course with a registered provider 

• Study full-time and on-campus, with limited exceptions such as disability-related arrangements

International student opal card eligibility

Most people searching for international student opal card are hoping for the same discount. The official position is that only some international students qualify, mainly certain full scholarship holders such as Endeavour, Australian Awards, or Research Training Program scholarship recipients.

If you’re a fee-paying international student on a temporary visa, plan on using an Adult Opal or contactless, unless you have one of the approved scholarships. 

Student opal card vs child or youth Opal card

A lot of students get tripped up here.

• Child or Youth Opal card: for children aged 4–15, and for full-time high school students aged 16+ who have a senior secondary student card issued by their school. 

• Uni student opal card: this is the tertiary student concession path, via a Concession Opal card for eligible tertiary or TAFE students.

Therefore,can a 17 year old access the child Opal card?

Yes, if they are a full-time NSW or ACT high school student and have the right school-issued senior secondary student card.

If they’re at university, they should look at the opal card for university students concession rules instead. 

How to get a student opal card

Think of the student opal card application as two parts: proving entitlement, then ordering the card.

Step 1: Check your entitlement and your proof

When using a Concession Opal card, you must carry proof of entitlement, like an approved institution student ID or a Transport Concession Entitlement Card. 

If your uni ID is not recognised, you may need a Transport Concession Entitlement Card, which is free, valid up to 15 months while eligible, and typically needs renewal by 31 March each year. 

Step 2: Give consent for your institution to share your details

Service NSW notes you must give consent for your tertiary institution to share your details with Transport for NSW, usually at least two days before you apply. 

Step 3: Apply and order your Concession Opal card online

Concession Opal cards must be ordered online, and you’ll need your student enrolment information plus your proof of entitlement details. 

Transport for NSW also notes the Concession Opal card is mailed once eligibility is confirmed, commonly within 5–7 working days. 

What you’ll save with a student opal card

Daily and weekly caps are lower on concession

With a Concession Opal card, your caps are: 

• AUD$9.65 per day Monday to Thursday

• AUD$4.80 per day Friday to Sunday and public holidays

• AUD$25 per week Monday to Sunday

Adult caps are higher: AUD$19.30 Monday to Thursday and AUD$9.65 Friday to Sunday, with a AUD$50 weekly cap.

What that can mean in real savings

• If you’re a heavy commuter who hits the cap on weekdays, the difference can be up to AUD$9.65 saved per weekday. 

• If you hit weekly caps, you’re looking at AUD$25 less per week versus adult travel caps. 

Your fares are discounted compared with adult

Many universities describe the concession card for eligible students as giving fares at around half the adult price.

That’s why “opal card for students” searches spike right after O Week.

Transfer discount and off-peak discount still apply

Opal benefits include:

• AUD$1 transfer discount for concession fares when switching modes within the rules

• 30% off-peak discount on metro, train, bus, and light rail outside peak times

Caps and benefits are set by Transport for NSW. 

One important note: Sydney Airport station fees

The Sydney Airport station access fee is not included in the daily or weekly travel caps, though there is a separate weekly cap on the station access fee.

Is it cheaper to use a bank card or Opal

If you’re paying adult fares, Transport for NSW says contactless payments charge an Adult Opal fare and give the same Opal benefits like caps and transfer discounts.

If you’re eligible for concession, Transport for NSW is blunt: you can save money with an Opal card if you qualify for concession fares, because contactless is an adult fare.
So for a student opal card holder, Opal usually wins.

Can I use my phone as an Opal card

You can tap on and off using a phone with a digital wallet for contactless payments on the Opal network, but you’ll be charged an adult fare.

For student concession pricing, you still need the opal card student concession setup through a Concession Opal card and proof of entitlement. 

Student opal card replacement, lost student opal card, and protecting your balance

A lost student opal card is annoying, but it’s fixable if your card is registered.

Do this first: register your card

You can create an account and register your Opal card online or through the Opal Travel app. Registration helps protect your balance if your card is lost or stolen. 

If it’s lost or stolen

• You can only block a registered Opal card

• Once blocked, your balance is protected 

• You can transfer the balance to another active Opal card linked to the same account, following the Opal account steps

Replacement basics

Transport for NSW notes Concession Opal cards are ordered online, including replacement cards for concession holders.

This is the core of student opal card replacement: register, block, order a replacement, then transfer balance where eligible. 

Tips for students choosing where to live and study

At PickMyUni, one of the most common “hidden costs” we see in Sydney study plans is commuting time and weekly spend. Before you lock in accommodation or a campus-heavy timetable, check:

• How many days you’ll be on campus

• Whether your route is mostly train, metro, or bus

• Whether you’re likely to hit caps, which makes the student opal card even more valuable 

If you’re thinking about switching courses or moving to a different campus, PickMyUni can help you compare options and plan a transfer with fewer surprises. You can also leave a university review on PickMyUni to help the next student choose smarter.

FAQs on the Student Opal Card