Education Maintenance Allowance
The Education Maintenance Allowance provides assistance to low-income families by helping with the costs associated with the education of their children.
EMA applications are made by parents/guardians and submitted to schools. Schools have the responsibility to enter all EMA applications onto the EMA Web System (secure site) (http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/ema/) by the application close date.
Memorandum - EMA Processing and Policy 2012 (Word - 3.2Mb) . This document provides detailed information for school administrators regarding the Department's EMA policy and processing arrangements for 2012.
School Start Bonus Incorporated into EMA System for 2012
The Victorian government announced in the 2011/12 State Budget that the School Start Bonus (SSB) 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.
The following two circulars have been distributed to schools advising of the revised SSB arrangements:
- Circular S185-2011 (Word - 39Kb) was issued to all Victorian schools in May, 2011 advising of the SSB budget announcement.
- Circular S357-2011 (Word - 41Kb) was issued to all Victorian schools in September 2011 advising of the SSB processing arrangements for 2012.
The following Power Point Slide Show provides an overview of the system changes that incorporate SSB into the EMA system:
Providing Information to Parents
Schools are responsible for communicating the availability of the EMA to eligible families.
EMA communications materials to assist with this process are available from the 'Communicating with parents' link.
EMA Website For Parents
For information directed at parents/guardians about the Education Maintenance Allowance, see Education Maintenance Allowance
Students enrolled on Census Day
For instalment 1, please ensure all students attached to EMA applications are enrolled at the school on Census Day (29 February 2012). This will avoid the need for payment reconciliation between schools.
Bridging Visa (Refugee Status)
Please note, students of families on a Bridging Visa (refugee status) are enrolled in schools fee exempt. These families can apply for the Education Maintenance Allowance under the Special Consideration category. A letter of support is needed from an appropriate welfare agency (i.e. the Australian Red Cross) to verify their situation.
For more information, please read the Policy Statement - Families holding a Temporary Visa or a Bridging Visa (Refugee Status) (PDF - 21Kb)
EMA Support
For questions related to EMA see the following pages:
Further assistance is available by phoning the DEECD Service Desk on 1800 641 943 select 'option 3' and then select 'option 6' or email your question to ema@edumail.vic.gov.au