Are you a Victorian parent struggling to make ends meet? Well, you’re in luck! The Victorian government is handing out a one-time payment of $400 to help families cover the costs of sending their kids to school. And the best part? You don’t need to lift a finger to get it.
A $280 Million Cash Boost for 700,000 Families
Starting today, around 700,000 Victorian families will receive a share of the $280 million windfall. This cash injection is designed to help parents and carers cover the costs of textbooks, uniforms, camps, excursions, and other school activities.
How to Get Your $400 School Saving Bonus
The good news is that you don’t need to apply for the bonus. The government has got you covered. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive an email from the Department of Education this week, giving you access to your $400 per child. Yes, you read that right – $400 per child!
Who’s Eligible?
The bonus is available to parents and carers of every Victorian government school student from Prep to Year 12 in 2025, except for full-fee international students, home-schooled students, and TAFE students. If your kid attends a non-government school, you’re eligible for the payment if you’re eligible for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund.
How to Spend Your $400 School Saving Bonus
The best part? You get to choose how you spend the money! You can use it to buy uniforms and textbooks, or add it to your school account to cover camps, excursions, and extra-curricular activities. You can even redeem uniform and textbook vouchers at local school-approved suppliers or school-operated second-hand shops. The vouchers are valid until June 30, 2025, and any unspent funds will be automatically transferred to your school account for future use.
A Helping Hand from the Government
Premier Jacinta Allan knows that families want the best for their kids, including a great education and all the trimmings. “Our School Saving Bonus is helping give kids a great start to the school year — and their parents one less thing to worry about,” she said.
Education Minister Ben Carroll is also thrilled to be providing some relief to families struggling with the cost of living. “We’re making life a little bit easier for families by providing a $400 once-off payment from today so that families can begin planning and budgeting for the 2025 school year,” he said.