School Kids Bonus - CentreLink

Are you eligible?
Is your child starting primary school in 2014?

If your child is starting primary school in 2014, you need to know about the Schoolkids Bonus. It is a new payment to help eligible families with the costs of primary and secondary school studies.

If you receive a family or income support payment, including Family Tax Benefit Part A, you may be eligible for up to $410 each year for your child to help cover the costs of uniforms, stationery, sporting gear, school fees or excursions. Half is paid in January to help with back-to-school costs and half in July for ongoing costs. When your child moves into secondary school, the rate increases to $820 per year, again with half paid in January and July.

Each November, Centrelink will write to Family Tax Benefit Part A customers whose child is likely to be starting primary school in the New Year and ask them to check and update their child’s education details. If you’re eligible, all you need to do is tell Centrelink when your child is starting primary school to activate the payment and it will continue to be paid into your bank account twice each year, for as long as you remain eligible.

Please note that children in preschool are not eligible as preschool is not part of formal primary education.

For more information, including the full eligibility criteria, visit australia.gov.au/schoolkidsbonus.

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