About the Schoolkids Bonus

What is the Schoolkids Bonus? What is it for?

The Schoolkids Bonus is a payment to help eligible families and students with the education related costs of primary and secondary school studies. The Schoolkids Bonus can be used to assist with the costs of things like school fees, uniforms, books and sports, music or other lessons.

How much will I receive?

Each year, eligible families and students will receive:

  • $410 for each child in primary school (paid in two instalments of $205)
  • $820 for each child in secondary school (paid in two instalments of $410).

I have more than one child. Will I receive the Schoolkids Bonus for each child?

Yes, if you have more than one child in primary and/or secondary study and meet the eligibility requirements, you will receive the Schoolkids Bonus for each child in primary and/or secondary study. For example, if you have a child in primary school and a child in secondary school in January you will receive $205 for your child in primary school and $410 for your child in secondary school. That’s a total of $615 to help with back-to-school costs for your children’s education.

When will I receive it?

Payments are made in January and July every year, unless you claim your Family Tax Benefit Part A as a lump sum. You must be receiving one of the eligible payments on 1 January to receive the January payment and/or 30 June to receive the July payment. 

What if I didn’t receive the payment in January?

If you haven't received your payment by 31 January, but think you're eligible, please contact Centrelink to discuss your personal circumstances. You can either call or visit your local Centrelink-Medicare office.

Why are payments made twice each year?

The payment timings are designed to help lighten the load for families at the back to school and mid-year expense times, when they need it most and families are likely to incur education costs.

How will I be paid?

Your Schoolkids Bonus will be automatically paid into the same nominated bank account as your regular qualifying payment in January and July. Please make sure you let Centrelink know anytime you change your bank account details.

Is the Schoolkids Bonus payment taxed or used for income testing purposes?

No, the Schoolkids Bonus is not a taxable payment and it is not used or included as income for means testing purposes.

What if I receive my Family Tax Benefit Part A as a lump sum?

If you claim your Family Tax Benefit Part A as a lump sum, and if you were eligible on 1 January and/or 30 June, you will receive your annual entitlement of the Schoolkids Bonus once your lump sum claim is granted if eligible.

What do I need to do to get the Schoolkids Bonus?

It’s easy. You just need to be receiving an eligible payment either for yourself or on behalf of your child on the 1 January and/or 30 June test dates and you or your child must be undertaking primary or secondary studies and be under 20 years of age*.  If you receive an eligible payment from Centrelink, you just need to let them know:

  • when you or your child starts primary school to start receiving the payment
  • when you or your child changes from primary to secondary school to start receiving the secondary school payment and
  • when you or your child complete secondary school to receive the final secondary school payment.

*students aged 19, must have turned 19 in the relevant calendar year.

Do I need to keep receipts?

No, you don’t need to keep receipts for education expenses to receive the Schoolkids Bonus. This is one of the significant benefits of the Schoolkids Bonus.

Did you know?

Under the previous Education Tax Refund, you needed to keep receipts in order to claim expenses through your tax return. This meant that many families received their entitlement long after they had spent the money on essential school items.

What can I spend the Schoolkids Bonus on?

You know what you or your kids need for school! The Schoolkids Bonus can help pay for items like school uniforms, shoes, books, stationery, school excursions, school fees and extra-curricular activities.

Did you know?

Under the previous Education Tax Refund, you could only claim specific expenses; you couldn’t claim for costs like school fees, excursions, music lessons or sport registration fees.

Will I receive the full entitlement?

If you don’t share the care of your child, you’ll receive 100 per cent of your entitlement. If you share the care of your child and receive a percentage of Family Tax Benefit Part A or an education allowance, you’ll receive the same percentage as for Family Tax Benefit Part A or an education allowance of the Schoolkids Bonus. Additionally, if you are in a blended family situation, your Schoolkids Bonus will be split according to your blended family percentage.

Did you know?

Under the previous Education Tax Refund, you could only claim 50 per cent of your expenditure up to a maximum amount of $397 for each primary school child and $794 for each secondary school child.

I received a payment in June/July 2012. Was that the Schoolkids Bonus?

No, that was the final payment of the old Education Tax Refund. It was paid out in full to all eligible families and individuals as a lump sum payment so families and students didn’t have to worry about keeping receipts or claiming through their tax for the 2011-12 financial year.

How long will the Schoolkids Bonus be in place?

The Schoolkids Bonus is a legislated entitlement, so it will continue to be available to families and students as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.

How will people be told about the Schoolkids Bonus?

Each November, Centrelink will write to Family Tax Benefit Part A customers whose child is likely to be starting primary or moving from primary to secondary school in the new year, and ask them to check and update their child’s education details before 31 December to ensure the correct amount of Schoolkids Bonus is paid in January.

Centrelink and the Department of Veterans' Affairs will also write to people in January to tell them they’ve received the Schoolkids Bonus.

People will also be informed through TV, radio, press and online ads, websites and social media, and information will also be provided through schools, retailers, community organisations, the ATO and Centrelink Service Centres.

Content Updated: 13 May 2013