Families just want the best for their kids, but with cost-of-living rising, school uniforms, camps, sports – the other things that make school fun – it all adds up.
The new one-off School Saving Bonus gives families of school kids one less thing to worry about and makes life that little bit easier.
The Victorian Budget 2024/25 delivers the School Saving Bonus as part of a $287 million package – providing $400 in support for every child at government schools, and eligible concession card holders at non-government schools.
How families will receive the School Saving Bonus
The Bonus will be provided during Term 4 of this year, making sure families have time to plan and budget for the 2025 school year ahead.
Families will receive a credit on their school family account to help meet the cost of activities and uniforms. Cash will not be paid directly to individuals or families.
More guidance on implementation will be provided to schools and families in Term 3.
Eligibility
The School Saving Bonus is open to parents and carers of every child enrolled in a government school in 2025. For non-government schools, families eligible for the means-tested Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund, including healthcare and concession card holders, will also be eligible for the additional $400 support.
If your child attends a government school, you do not need to apply or do anything to receive the School Saving Bonus; the funds will be provided to your child’s school.
The application process for non-government schools will be the same as the existing Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund.
Other supports
The one-off School Saving Bonus will be in addition to existing and continuing means-tested supports for camps, sports, excursions and uniforms. This helps to ensure that families most in need continue to get additional support.
The application-based Affordable School Uniform program, available through State Schools’ Relief to families experiencing financial hardship or other forms of vulnerability and short-term crisis, will continue to be available for families to access if they need additional support beyond the School Saving Bonus. This program allows schools to make multiple applications for support on parents’ behalf throughout the year if needed.
The department is working on the implementation of the School Saving Bonus. We will provide more guidance to schools and families in Term 3, 2024.
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