How will it work?
Support will be provided in two ways: as credit towards the cost of participating in school activities and vouchers for families to purchase school uniforms.
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Education Minister Ben Carroll said on Tuesday there would be no application process. All payments would be made electronically without formalities.
“This will be a direct credit to the family's accounts at the school,” he said.
Is it a cash payment?
Cash will not be paid directly to individuals or families, but will be received as a credit to each school's family account to help cover the cost of activities and vouchers to help purchase school uniforms.
Consultation will take place with schools to ensure that the selection of approved suppliers is aligned with the relevant suppliers of a school's uniform range.
Is it media tested?
The school savings bonus is not means tested. The bonus is available to all students of government schools and all students of non-government schools eligible under the existing camp, sports and field trip fund.
When will it be paid?
The bonus will be offered during the fourth term, ensuring families have time to plan and budget for the 2025 school year.
The government says it will give more details in the third term.
Does this replace other aids?
The School Savings Bonus builds on existing means-tested help for families struggling with school costs. It will apply in addition to these measures for families eligible for other aid.
Why not introduce it now?
The move will help families with upfront costs as they enter the 2025 school year. Premier Jacinta Allan said it would not make sense to bring it in immediately when families had already paid for expensive items such as uniforms and field trips for current school year.
“I know families often wait until the start of a new school year to make those bigger purchases around uniforms,” she said.
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