School Costs and Financial Assistance
Victorian government schools provide free instruction in the standard curriculum, however, schools are able to charge for the materials and services used by students during this instruction. Schools may also raise funds by asking for donations.
Financial assistance is available for low income families and students to help them meet schooling costs.
School Charges and Costs
There are three categories of education items or services that school councils can request payments for from parents:
- essential educational items which parents and guardians are required to provide or pay the school to provide for their child (for example: stationery, text books and school uniforms where required)
- optional educational items offered on a user-pays basis and which parents and guardians may choose whether their child accesses or participates in (for example: school magazines or extracurricular programs and activities)
- voluntary financial contributions, which parents and guardians may be invited to donate to the school.
School councils are responsible for developing and approving a policy for their school in regards to fees and family contributions. This school-level policy must reflect the Department's policy and be provided to parents and guardians.
For answers to the most commonly asked questions about school costs for parents, see: Parent Payments in Victorian Government Schools and for a copy of the policy, see: Parent Payments in Victorian Government Schools Policy (PDF - 374Kb)
Financial Assistance for Families
Financial assistance is provided for eligible families to help them meet the costs of their child’s education. Available assistance includes:
School Start Bonus
From 2013, Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) payments to parents will be increased while the School Start Bonus (SSB) will be discontinued.
Education Maintenance Allowance
The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) provides assistance to lower income families to help with the costs associated with sending their children to school.
If your child is under 16 years of age and you receive an eligible Centrelink benefit and a Health Care Card or pension card, you may be entitled to an Education Maintenance Allowance from the Victorian Government.
You can get an application form and details about application deadlines from your child’s school.
In 2013 the EMA payments to parents will be increased across the board.
For further information, see: Education Maintenance Allowance
Education Tax Refund
The Education Tax Refund helps eligible families and independent students meet the cost of primary and secondary school education.
Parents, carers, legal guardians and independent students can get half the cost of some education expenses reimbursed to them. These items include computers, educational software, textbooks and stationery.
For more information, see: Australian Tax Office's Education Tax Refund - What You Need to Know
Child Care Benefit and Family Assistance
From 1 January 2012, Family Tax Benefit Part A has increased for eligible families with dependent 16 to 19 year olds who are undertaking full-time secondary study. See: Supporting Families with Teenagers – Changes to Family Assistance
For more information about Child Care Benefit and Family Assistance, contact: Centrelink
Financial Assistance for Students
Financial assistance is provided for eligible students to help them meet the costs of their education. Assistance provided includes:
- Student Scholarships
- Youth Allowance Scheme
- ABSTUDY
Student scholarships
Thirty different scholarships are made available to support talented students. A total of around 175 awards.
Scholarships are offered to primary and secondary students, ranging in value from $250 to over $5000, and can be applied for online between November and December each year.
Scholarships are generally awarded on the basis of:
- excellent academic achievement
- outstanding participation in the school and local community
- financial need (determined by parents being eligible recipients of the Education Maintenance Allowance).
For more information, including closing dates and online applications, see: Student Scholarships
Youth Allowance Scheme
Youth Allowance offers financial assistance for eligible young people studying, undertaking training or a New Apprenticeship, looking for work, or who are unwell.
For further information, see: Centrelink - Youth Allowance Scheme
ABSTUDY
ABSTUDY offers financial assistance to Aboriginal secondary or tertiary students or full-time New Apprentices. It consists of a fortnightly living allowance as well as additional assistance to help with the costs associated with attending school.
For more information, see: Centrelink - ABSTUDY