School Start Bonus - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the School Start Bonus (SSB)?

The Victorian Government is assisting families with education costs by providing a one-off School Start Bonus (SSB) of $300 for eligible children entering Prep or Year 7.

The School Start Bonus helps to meet the costs of buying school uniforms, sports uniforms, school bags and other school items so that your child gets the best possible start to school.

The School Start Bonus is a separate payment from, and additional to, the Education Maintenance Allowance.

What's changing about the SSB for 2012?

The Victorian government announced in the 2011/12 State Budget that the School Start Bonus would be targeted to provide assistance to those families most in need. From 2012, eligibility for the payment will be based on eligibility for the Education Maintenance Allowance.

Who is eligible for the SSB?

To be eligible for receipt of the School Start Bonus (SSB) in 2012:

• The student must be enrolled in Prep or Year 7 in a Victorian registered school in 2012, and;
• The student must be enrolled and attending the school by census day (29 February 2012), and;
•  Be registered for home schooling with the VRQA (Victorian Registration & Qualification Authority) to undertake Prep or Year 7 equivalent in 2012 and
• The student must not have already been paid the SSB for that year level, and;
• The claimant must on the SSB Eligibility Day (16 January 2012):
  • be a parent or legal guardian of the student; and
  • be an eligible beneficiary within the meaning of the State Concessions Act 2004, that is, the holder of Veterans Affairs Gold Card or be an eligible Health care card (HCC) or Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holder or
  • be a temporary foster parent.
• Submit their application to the school by the due date.

For more information, see: Eligibility

How much is the SSB?

The SSB payment is $300 per student for eligible parents.

How do parents apply for the SSB?

Parents with students commencing prep or year 7 in 2012 should inform the school if they have an eligible concession card  (i.e -a Health Care Card or Pensioner Card), then complete an application form and lodge it with the school by 15 December 2011 for processing.

The 2012 SSB/EMA application form can be obtained at your child's school.

 

How do Home School parents apply for the SSB?

Home school parents with students commencing Prep or year 7 in 2012 who are holders of concession card (i.e. a Health Care Card or Pensioner Card), can complete a home school application form, attach a photo copy of their Centrelink card a copy of their confirmation of VRQA registration letter and post to the address on the application form.

Home School SSB 2012 application form: (PDF - 56Kb)

 

When do I need to apply for the SSB?

Application forms should be lodged with the school by 15 December 2011 in order to receive the SSB payment into your bank account in late January 2012 (from 20 January 2012).

Late applications may be lodged with the school up until 29 February 2012.

The closing date for home school applications is 29 February 2012.

 

What is the SSB eligibility date?

The system will automatically validate the parent's concession card details with Centrelink on 16 January 2012 and, if eligible, the parent will receive their $300 SSB payment directly into their nominated bank account.

This date was chosen to ensure that eligible parents receive their $300 SSB payment prior to the commencement of the 2012 school year.

What is the method of payment for SSB?

SSB will be paid by EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) directly into the parent/guardian’s nominated bank account.

There are be no changes to the existing EMA payment methods. Parents will still have the option to receive their EMA payment by EFT or cheque.

What about late enrolments for SSB?

Eligible parents of prep and year 7 students are advised to lodge their SSB/EMA application form by 15 December 2011. This is to allow time for the school to enter any SSB applications onto the system before the end of Term 4, 2011 - so that the parent receives their SSB payment prior to the 2012 school year. SSB payments will be deposited into parents' bank accounts from 20 January 2012 onwards.

Eligible parents who do not lodge their SSB/EMA application form by the end of Term 4, 2011 (or for students who are only enrolled after the 2012 school year commences), the EMA/SSB application form needs to be lodged with the school by the closing date of 29 February 2012 to receive payment.

Home school applications will not be accepted after the closing date of 29 February 2012.

Is the parent or guardian eligible for the SSB based on their child’s Health Care Card?

No, a Health Care Card that is not linked to the parent and guardian’s financial status is not valid for the purposes of applying for the SSB (or EMA).

If the child repeats Prep or Year 7, will they be eligible to receive the SSB again?

No, the SSB is a one off payment.

Further information

• Eligibility – find out if your family is eligible to receive the SSB.