Education Maintenance Allowance

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) helps to cover the costs related to your child’s schooling. The EMA provides families on a low income with financial assistance to support their child’s education up to the age of 16.

The Government is restructuring the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for 2013 to better provide education support to families on a low income. Payments made direct to parents will be increased for eligible recipients at all year levels, with an additional increase for parents with students in Years Prep and 7 to support transition costs. 

For more information, see: Education Maintenance Allowance in 2013

Education Maintenance Allowance in 2012

The allowance is paid in two instalments throughout the year; the first instalment from March onwards and the second instalment from August onwards. Half of the payment is paid to the school and half to the parent or guardian.

You need to submit your EMA application to your child’s school by 3 August 2012 for the second instalment. Application forms are available from your child's school.

If you submitted an application form for the first instalment, and your child has not changed schools since then, you do not need to complete another application form for the second instalment payment.

Parents have the option to have their EMA instalments paid by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) directly into your bank account. You can select this option when filling in your application form.

The EFT payment option has been introduced to offer you a faster and more convenient option for receiving your EMA payment. Choosing the EFT option means that you will receive your payment approximately two weeks sooner than if you choose the cheque payment option.

Further information

• Eligibility – find out if your family is eligible to receive the EMA in 2012.
• Payment Amounts – information on how, when and how much you will be paid and the EFT payment option.
• Frequently Asked Questions - EMA

Education Maintenance Allowance in 2013

The EMA is being restructured to increase the focus on direct support to parents. Prep and Year 7 students will also receive a higher EMA payment.

The changes to the EMA starting in 2013 include:

• EMA payments to parents increased from:
  • $117.50 to $200 for parents of eligible Prep students
  • $117.50 to $150 for parents of all other eligible primary school students
  • $235 to $300 for parents of eligible Year 7 students
  • $235 to $250 for parents of all other eligible secondary school students up to the age of 16.
• school-based EMA payments will be discontinued ($117.50 per primary school student; $235.00 per secondary school student)

Changes to the EMA will be effective from the start of the 2013 school year.

The EMA is paid in two instalments annually (70% in March and 30% in August). The August 2012 payments will not be affected by the changes.

These changes apply to government and non- government schools.

Eligibility

The EMA provides financial assistance to families on a low income to help with the cost of essential educational items such as textbooks, stationery, uniforms and excursions.

EMA is a means-tested payment - parents must hold a Centrelink/Veterans Affairs concession card to be eligible.

Further information

For more information about the changes to the EMA in 2013 please call 1800 060 970