New Schoolkids Bonus payments 

The first instalment of the Schoolkids Bonus will be paid in January 2013 to assist families and students with the costs of primary and secondary school studies.

Families and students who receive an education payment under the Veterans' Children Education Scheme (VCES) or the Military, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme (MRCAETS) will be eligible for:

  • $410 for each primary school student ($205 paid in January and $205 paid in July); and
  • $820 for each secondary school student ($410 paid in January and $410 paid in July).

The first instalment of the Schoolkids Bonus will be automatically paid by the Department to all families and students for students receiving an education allowance.  No claim is required.

Families whose children are commencing primary school in 2013 are eligible but must apply for, and be in receipt of, an education allowance to receive the Schoolkids Bonus (including backdating of the education allowance).

A final instalment of Schoolkids Bonus may be available for students who completed their secondary studies.  You must notify the Department that you have completed Year 12 or equivalent by 13 weeks from 1 January or 30 June (whichever is closest to your completion date).  For the January 2013 Schoolkids Bonus final instalment, you must notify by 2 April 2013.

See more information about the Schoolkids Bonus

Education Tax Refund

The Schoolkids Bonus has replaced the Education Tax Refund.

The Education Tax Refund for 2012 was paid in full ($409 per primary and $818 per secondary student) to eligible families and students in mid-June 2012.  Eligibility was based on the student being enrolled in school on 8 May 2012 and receiving (or parents receiving) an education allowance under the VCES or the MRCAETS on 8 May 2012.

If you did not receive a one-off payment in June and think that you were eligible, contact the Department.

If you were not eligible for the payment in June, but received VCES or MRCAETS at any time during the 2011-12 financial year, you may be eligible for part or whole of the one-off payment.  If you would have usually claimed the Education Tax Refund through the Australian Taxation Office, you may also be entitled to the one off payment.  Below are some examples of where this may have occurred:

  • the student completed secondary school at the end of 2011;
  • you received VCES or MRCAETS for part of 2011/12 but not on the eligible date of 8 May 2012 (or a different custody proportion); or
  • you received the primary rate for your child but they were actually in secondary school.

Visit factsheet MRC48 Schoolkids Bonus (MRC48 Schoolkids Bonus HTML version) (MRC48 Schoolkids Bonus PDF version).