Parents across Victoria received emails this week that the state government’s $400 School Saving Bonus, which aims to help busy Victorian families with the cost of living, was rolling out. Parents with children at a government school won’t need to apply for their bonus: it is free, automatic and universal.
Premier Jacinta Allan, with deputy premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll, visited Binap Primary School to announce that families will be able to access the School Saving Bonus from this week, helping them with the cost of textbooks, uniforms, camps, excursions, and other school activities.
Binap Primary School opened this year in the Melbourne suburb of Brookfield, about 40 kilometres west of the CBD, where many young families are feeling the effects of the current cost-of-living crisis.
Ms Allan says that the new program will give parents “one less thing to worry about.”
“Families want the best for their kids. The best education, the right textbook, a fresh uniform, the camps and excursions they’ll remember forever,” she says.
Families will be able to choose how they allocate their funds, whether it’s a uniform and textbook voucher – or adding money to their school account for camps, excursions or other extracurricular activities.
The bonus applies to each child. That means a family with three children at school in 2025 will receive $1,200 in support to help cover school costs.
The voucher for uniforms and textbooks will be redeemable at local school-approved uniform or book suppliers, while funds allocated to activities will be credited to the family’s school account.
Families can purchase uniforms and textbooks in-person or online through school-approved suppliers, including State School Relief, which offers items such as shoes, swimwear and workwear for VCE Vocational Major students.
Vouchers will also be redeemable at school-operated second-hand uniform and textbook shops.
Textbook and uniform vouchers will be valid until 30 June 2025.
Unspent funds will automatically transfer to a family’s school account once the uniform and textbook voucher period expires, with parents able to use the remaining funds on future school activities.
For families of students at a non-government school, 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 also eligible for the School Saving Bonus.
Families will only need to apply for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund to receive both types of support.
