25 Feb 2013
Do you know about the Schoolkids Bonus? It is a new cash payment to help eligible families and students with the costs of primary and secondary school studies. Around 1.2 million families have already benefited from the first wave of payments in January 2013 – have you?
If you receive a family or income support payment, including Family Tax Benefit Part A, you could be eligible to receive $410 a year for each primary student and $820 a year for each secondary student, with half paid in January and half paid in July.
The Schoolkids Bonus replaces the Education Tax Refund (ETR) and is a much simpler system. You no longer need to collect receipts and payments are made automatically so you don't have to wait months to make a claim via your tax return. Unlike the ETR you can choose how you use the payment to best support your children's education – whether it be school books, stationery, uniforms, school fees, or excursions.
Check your eligibility by visiting australia.gov.au/schoolkidsbonus and if you think you might have missed out on the January payment, contact Centrelink – either in person at a Centrelink-Medicare Office or by calling 132 468