Frequently Asked Policy Questions - 2012

What are parents or guardians expected to provide for their children or pay their school to provide?

Examples of materials and services which parents and guardians may be expected to provide or pay the school to provide include:

• student textbooks including hire or access to class sets of textbooks
• student requisites and stationery (pens, pencils, exercise books, work-books)
• materials for electives where the student consumes or takes home the finished article (e.g. home economics)
• programs provided by outside specialists (e.g. visiting artists, speakers, performers)
• camps and excursions that are integral to the curriculum and that all students are expected to attend
• school identification cards
• school uniform (where applicable)
• official diary/handbook/work planner
• student computer printing beyond the needs of the eight key learning area

 

How does a parent or guardian become eligible for the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)?

Eligibility for the EMA is determined by the Education and Training Reform Regulations 2007 97(1) which states that:

“If a person is under 16 years of age and attends a State school or registered school and the person’s parent, on the first day of the term in which the allowance is granted, is an eligible beneficiary within the meaning of the State Concession Act 2004 - the parent may apply to the Minister for an education maintenance allowance for the person.”

A state school or registered school must be in Victoria.

The eligible benefit within the meaning of the State Concession Act 2004 is determined and provided through Centrelink. If the applicant is in receipt of an eligible benefit from Centrelink and is a holder of either a Health Care Card or a Pensioner Concession Card, or is a Veterans Affairs (TPI) pensioner (totally and permanently incapacitated ex-service men and women) or is a foster parent, on the first day of term in which the allowance is granted then they will be eligible for the EMA.

In 2012, the first day of Term one is 1 February 2012 and the first day of Term three is 16 July 2012.

If a parent or guardian has a current Health Care Card does that automatically mean that they are eligible for the EMA?

No. In addition to holding a valid Health Care Card or a Pensioner Concession Card, the parent and guardian must also be in receipt of a valid benefit from Centrelink on the instalment eligibility date of 1 February 2012 for instalment one or 16 July 2012 for instalment two. 

Is the parent or guardian eligible for the EMA 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 EMA. For more information, see: Eligibility 

How much does a parent or guardian receive if eligible for the EMA?

Eligible parents and guardians of secondary school students will receive $470 per year and eligible parents and guardians of primary school students will receive $235 per year.

This money is divided equally between the parent and guardian and the school, with 70 per cent of the entitled amount paid in the first instalment and 30 per cent of the entitled amount paid in the second instalment.

Payment amounts for 2012:

Instalment	Portion	Primary School Students *	Secondary School Students *
One (70%)	Parent or guardian	$82.25	$164.50
	School	$82.25	$164.50
Two (30%)	Parent or guardian	$35.25	$70.50
	School	$35.25	$70.50

^*Student year level (or age for ungraded and special school students) will form the basis for calculating the amount payable to parents and schools.

 

Centrelink have recently changed their policy regarding payments for students turning 16. Does this affect EMA?

No. EMA is a Victorian Government allowance which is paid until a student turns 16. The parent/guardian will receive a pro-rata amount of EMA up until (and including) the month that the student turns 16. 

The Commonwealth Government (through Centrelink) have recently changed their policy regarding payments for students turning 16, if the student is still undertaking full-time study. i.e -

• Prior to 1 January 2012, eligible students turning 16 claimed Youth allowance and received a Health Care Card in their own name.
• From 1 January 2012, eligible students turning 16 can now remain on the parent's Family Tax Benefit (Part A) and remain on the parent's Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card. Family Tax Benefit Part A may also include an annual supplement of up to $726.35 for each child which is paid at the end of the financial year once tax returns have been lodged.

Refer to Centrelink's website for full details of the 'Supporting Families with Teenagers' change. 

This policy change by Centrelink does not impact EMA eligibility. EMA ceases when the student turns 16. 

Is a parent or guardian paid the EMA for a student over 16?

No. EMA is paid up until the age of 16. The parent/guardian will receive a pro-rata amount of EMA up until (and including) the month that the student turns 16. 

Once a student turns 16 the EMA ceases, however the student may be eligible to remain on the parent's Family Tax Benefit payment through Centrelink (ph 13 24 90).

Parents may also be eligible for financial assistance with eligible educational expenses through the Education Tax Refund which is administered by the Australian Taxation Office (ph 132 861).

 

What happens to the payment of the EMA for a student who turns 16 during the year?

For students who turn 16 during the year a pro-rata payment of the EMA is payable calculated on the number of months of eligibility up to and including the month that the student turns 16.

For example: If a student turns 16 during April, the parent and guardian and the school will receive 4/12 of the yearly amount in the first instalment and nothing in the second instalment. If a student turns 16 in November, the parent and guardian and the school will receive 6/12 of the yearly amount in the first instalment and 5/12 of the yearly amount in the second instalment.

Pro-rata rates for students who turn 16 in 2012:

Birth Month	Instalment 1	Instalment 2	Total Parent Portion	Total School Portion	Total Payment
January	$19.58	$0	$19.58	$19.58	$39.16
February	$39.17	$0	$39.17	$39.17	$78.34
March	$58.75	$0	$58.75	$58.75	$117.50
April	$78.33	$0	$78.33	$78.33	$156.66
May	$97.92	$0	$97.92	$97.92	$195.84
June	$117.50	$0	$117.50	$117.50	$235.00
July	$117.50	$19.58	$137.08	$137.08	$274.16
August	$117.50	$39.17	$156.67	$156.67	$313.34
September	$117.50	$58.75	$176.25	$176.25	$352.50
October	$117.50	$78.33	$195.83	$195.83	$391.66
November	$117.50	$97.92	$215.42	$215.42	$430.84
December	$117.50	$117.50	$235.00	$235.00	$470.00

 

At which school should an applicant apply for the EMA when their child is part time at a main stream school and part time at a Special School?

The school that the child is attending for the major part of the week is where the applicant should submit the application. It is left up to the two principals of the schools involved to negotiate a transfer of funds. In this way the school where the child is attending for the minor part of the week still receives a portion of the school’s EMA. 

 

What does a school do when both parents have applied for the EMA and both parents are eligible and have equal custody of the child?

A school should not be put into the position of arbitrating in decisions such as this. Only one parent can be paid the EMA for a child. 

If the parents cannot decide between themselves who should apply, then they should be encouraged to resolve the problem through the Family Court.

 

What happens to the school portion of the EMA when a student transfers to another school?

Schools are custodians of the school portion of the EMA.  If a student transfers to another school, the balance of the school’s portion must accompany the student to the new school.

What happens to any balance of the EMA remaining at the end of the year?

Any portion of the EMA which is not expended by the end of the year must be returned to the parent/guardian.  However, with agreement of the parent/guardian, this money could be carried over into the next year or other appropriate arrangements made to suit the needs of the student.

Key documents