School saving bonus begins rollout

THE rollout of the Victorian government’s $400 school saving bonus has begun, with families across the Bellarine now able to get access to the one-off payment.

Aimed at helping families with the cost of textbooks, uniforms, excursions, camps and other school activities, the bonus will be made automatically available to all students at government schools, with families able to choose how they allocate the funds.

Eligible families will receive an email with a code, granting them access to the $400 payment.

Parents with children at government schools do not need to apply for the bonus, which will apply to each child, meaning a family with three school-aged children will receive $1,200 to help cover school costs.

Funds allocated to activities will be credited to the family’s school account, while uniform and textbook vouchers will remain valid until June 30 next year.

These vouchers can be redeemed at local school-approved uniform or book suppliers as well as school-operated second-hand uniform and textbook shops.

Once those vouchers expire, any unspent funds will be automatically transferred to a family’s school account for use on future school activities.

“This is about making sure young Victorians have everything they need at school – plus all of the added extras that make learning fun,” Bellarine MP Alison Marchant said.

The $400 bonus payment is also available to concession card and healthcare card holders at non-government schools, with the funds to be provided directly to each school and to be managed in consultation with each family.

Minister for Education Ben Carroll said the one-off payment of $400 would make life a little bit easier for families and support them to begin planning and budgeting for the 2025 school year.

“We know the cost of living is tough right now so it’s great to see families immediately taking up this support.”

For more information, head to vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus