The Victorian government’s $400 School Saving Bonus for students at government schools and eligible students at non-government schools –can now spend their bonus on more items.
Premier Jacinta Allan and the minister for education Ben Carroll visited Footscray Primary School on Thursday to announce that the $400 School Saving Bonus – originally for uniforms, camps, excursions, and other activities– can also be spent on textbooks.
In a statement by the government Allan said, “We know how tough it is for a lot of families right now.”
“We’re giving busy families one less thing to worry about with $400 for school costs like uniforms, excursions and textbooks.”
The once-off bonus will be available from late November 2024. It will be applied for each child, so a family with three school children will receive $1,200 in support to spend on school costs.
The statement says that ‘no family of a child in a government school will need to apply for their bonus: it is free, automatic and universal.’
In Term 4, families will receive a code granting them access to the bonus and will choose how much of the funds they want allocated to a uniform and textbook voucher, and how much they want to use on school activities – like camps, sports, excursions, other eligible programs.
Ben Carroll, the minister for education in the statement said: “Getting a world-class public education in Victoria will always be free – but supplies and extracurricular activities can really add up for families.”
According to the Victorian government, the ‘voucher for uniforms and books is redeemable at a school-approved uniform or textbook suppliers, while funds that families allocate to school activities will be managed through the school.
‘The voucher can be combined if families have children at different schools but use the same supplier for uniforms and textbooks. Families can also use the voucher to buy second-hand uniforms and textbooks directly from schools.
For students at Greek non-government school, such as St John’s College or Alphington Grammar, the $400 will be provided directly to each school – to be managed in consultation with the student’s family and in line with the intent of the program.
Non-government school families who are eligible for the means-tested Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (including healthcare and concession card holders) are eligible for the School Saving Bonus. Their application process will be the same as that for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund.
The School Saving Bonus was announced as part of a $287 million package in the Victorian Budget 2024/25, and it will help up to 700,000 students – including around 44,000 non-government students.
The government will also triple the Glasses for Kids program, and providing free, nutritious breakfasts at all government schools.
For information on the $400 School Saving Bonus, visit vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus
