In response to escalating living costs, the Victorian Government has introduced the School Saving Bonus—a one-time $400 payment per child aimed at alleviating educational expenses for families.
This initiative is set to benefit approximately 700,000 families across the state, providing essential support as they prepare for the 2025 school year.
Understanding the School Saving Bonus
The School Saving Bonus is designed to assist families with costs related to their children’s education, including uniforms, textbooks, camps, excursions, and other school-related activities.
By offering this financial support, the government aims to ensure that all children have the necessary resources to commence the school year successfully.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | $400 per child |
| Total Fund | $280 million |
| Eligibility | Families with children attending Victorian government schools (Prep to Year 12), excluding full-fee international students, home-schooled students, and TAFE students. Families with children at non-government schools are eligible if they qualify for the Camps, Sports, and Excursions Fund (CSEF). |
| Payment Method | Automatic payment; no application required. Families will receive an email regarding the payment. |
| Validity of Funds | Vouchers are valid until June 30, 2025. Unspent funds will be transferred to the school account for future activities. |
Eligibility Criteria
The bonus is available to parents and carers of Victorian government school students from Prep to Year 12 for the 2025 school year. Exclusions include full-fee-paying international students, home-schooled students, and TAFE students.
However, families with children in non-government schools may qualify if they are recipients of the Camps, Sports, and Excursions Fund (CSEF).
Utilization of the $400 Payment
Families have the flexibility to allocate the $400 per child towards various educational expenses:
- Uniforms and Textbooks: Vouchers can be redeemed at local, school-approved suppliers, including school-operated second-hand stores.
- School Activities: Funds can cover activities such as camps, excursions, or extracurricular programs, with amounts credited directly to the family’s school account.
Any unspent funds by the end of the school year will automatically transfer to the child’s school account for future use.
Automatic Disbursement
A significant advantage of this initiative is the automatic disbursement of funds. Eligible families are not required to apply; the bonus will be distributed automatically, with notifications sent via email. This streamlined process ensures timely support without additional administrative burdens.
Government’s Commitment to Families
Premier Jacinta Allan emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that families deserve access to high-quality education, including necessary resources such as textbooks, uniforms, and school excursions.
Minister for Education Ben Carroll highlighted the bonus as timely relief to ease the financial burden on families, ensuring that no child misses out on essential school supplies or activities due to financial constraints.
Distribution Timeline
Eligible families can expect to receive an email from the Department of Education detailing access to the $400 per child. For families with multiple school-aged children, the bonus is cumulative; for instance, a family with three children would receive $1,200.
Who is eligible for the School Saving Bonus?
Families with children enrolled in Victorian government schools from Prep to Year 12 are eligible, excluding full-fee international students, home-schooled students, and TAFE students. Families with children in non-government schools may qualify if they receive the Camps, Sports, and Excursions Fund (CSEF).
Is an application required to receive the $400 payment?
No application is necessary. The payment will be distributed automatically to eligible families, who will be notified via email.
How can the $400 Payment be utilized?
The funds can be used for school uniforms, textbooks, camps, excursions, and other school-related activities. Vouchers are redeemable at approved suppliers, and unspent funds by June 30, 2025, will transfer to the school’s account for future use.
