Schoolkids Bonus - Education information

• I’m a student. Can I receive the Schoolkids Bonus?
• My child is starting primary school in 2013 at a younger age. Do I need to tell anyone?
• My child is starting secondary school in 2013 at a younger age. Do I need to tell anyone?
• My child completed secondary school before the 1 January test date. Will I get the January payment?
• How long do I have to let Centrelink know my child has completed secondary school to receive Schoolkids Bonus?
• My child is studying overseas. Will I receive the Schoolkids Bonus?
• My child is in special education for children with disabilities. Will I receive the Schoolkids Bonus?
• My child is in pre-school. Will I receive the Schoolkids Bonus?
• My child is undertaking secondary studies at TAFE. Will I receive the Schoolkids Bonus?
• What is the definition of preschool, primary and secondary school for the Schoolkids Bonus?

I’m a student. Can I receive the Schoolkids Bonus?

Yes, if you’re undertaking primary or secondary studies, you’re under 20 years of age*, and you receive an eligible payment that normally goes into your bank account, you will get the Schoolkids Bonus.

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

My child is starting primary school in 2013 at a younger age. Do I need to tell anyone?

Yes. You should update your child’s education details with Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs to ensure you start receiving the primary study amount of the Schoolkids Bonus.

My child is starting secondary school in 2013 at a younger age. Do I need to tell anyone?

Yes. You should update your child’s education details with Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs to ensure you start receiving the secondary study amount of the Schoolkids Bonus.

My child completed secondary school before the 1 January test date. Will I get the January payment?

A final instalment of Schoolkids Bonus is available for students who complete their secondary studies at the end of a year.  In order to receive this payment, families or individual students need to confirm that they have completed secondary studies at the end of the year with Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, depending on what eligible payment they were receiving while studying.

How long do I have to let Centrelink know my child has completed secondary school to receive Schoolkids Bonus?  

If you or your child finishes your studies at the end of the year you may get the January Schoolkids Bonus payment. Family Tax Benefit Part A customers have a maximum of two years from the end of the financial year in which the test date occurs to confirm their child’s school completion. Students receiving income support or education allowances have a maximum of 13 weeks from the test date to confirm completion of school.

My child is home-schooled. Will I receive the Schoolkids Bonus?

Yes, if you or your child also receive an eligible payment. Children who are home-schooled in primary or secondary studies are eligible for the Schoolkids Bonus as long as they are registered with the relevant education authority of their state or territory. Centrelink may ask for further verification of you or your child’s home-schooling study details

My child is studying overseas. Will I receive the Schoolkids Bonus?

Yes, if you or your child also receive an eligible payment. However, you need to let Centrelink know whether your child is in the Australian equivalent of primary or secondary school in order to be paid the correct rate. Centrelink may ask for further verification of your or your child’s overseas study details.

My child is in special education for children with disabilities. Will I receive the Schoolkids Bonus?

Yes, if you or your child also receive an eligible payment.

 My child is in preschool. Will I receive the Schoolkids Bonus?

No. Children in preschool are not considered to be undertaking primary studies and therefore are not eligible for the Schoolkids Bonus, regardless of their age. Once children start undertaking primary studies they are eligible for the Schoolkids Bonus.

My child is undertaking secondary studies at TAFE. Will I receive the Schoolkids Bonus?

Yes, if you or your child also receive an eligible payment. Children undertaking qualifying secondary studies at TAFE or at a university are eligible for the Schoolkids Bonus

What is the definition of preschool, primary and secondary school for the Schoolkids Bonus?