MGA'S PETITION FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT CONCESSIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
Every other state gives grads a concession fare. Victoria doesn't. Let's change that.
Graduate students undertaking a master's degree, graduate diplomas, and PhDs face severe cost-of-living pressures with limited capacity to work due to intensive study, research, and mandatory placements.
Many are training to become Victoria's next teachers, nurses, doctors and engineers, completing unpaid professional placements while paying full price fares to travel to campus, placement sites and work. These costs create significant financial strain and contribute to inequity.
The burden is felt most by students from low-income backgrounds, those with caring responsibilities, international students, and those living in outer suburbs.
While every other Australian state and territory offers concession fares to graduate students, Victoria continues to fall behind.
This campaign calls for change -- advocating for fair and equitable transport concessions for all graduate students.
SIGN THE PETITION
Follow our campaign journey here:
1 April 2026
We officially launched the campaign, calling on graduate students and supporters to sign and share our petition advocating for fair public transport concessions in Victoria. This marked the beginning of our collective push to raise awareness, build momentum, and demonstrate the scale of support for change across the graduate student community.
If you're facing financial hardship, please know that the MGA offers a Welfare Assistance Program and other support programs to assist you. We also have a range of support guides with lists of resources for financial, mental health, and academic success to support you through your graduate studies journey.
Have questions, contributions, or ideas for lobbying? Get in touch with our Campaigns Officer, Jack Kennedy (jack.kennedy@monash.edu) to get involved in our advocacy efforts.