When your child goes to school you will find that there are a number of costs. These include levies, school uniforms, excursions and other costs associated with your child’s educational program. If you are eligible, there are a number of financial assistance schemes available to assist you to cover costs.
Costs of schooling
Financial assistance available
You may be required to pay a levy to your school. The levy you pay will contribute to the costs of your child’s education program including:
- items your child uses during the school year such as learning materials and stationery
- the costs of services such as school excursions, visiting performances and school camps that are essential to your child’s educational program.
The amount payable is determined each year by each school in consultation with the School Association. For details contact your school.
Families on low incomes or grandparents raising grandchildren who satisfy the eligibility conditions of the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) will not be required to pay school levies.
For more information, contact your school or see the School levy policy.
Families who do not qualify for STAS but who may experience financial hardship can talk to the school about the possibility of paying their levies in instalments. School staff understand that financial matters are highly sensitive, so your questions about STAS, the payment of levies in instalments or any other financial matter will remain completely confidential. These matters will also be dealt with directly with you and not through your child. The resolution of any levy related issues will not interfere with your child’s participation in their education program or any associated activities or services.
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Levies When Transferring to a New School
If your child is transferring to a new school during the school year, you will need to find out from both schools what their policies are for refunds and payments of levies on transfer. Levies are usually only refunded in exceptional circumstances.
If your child is transferring to another Tasmanian government school during the year, most schools do not ask for levies if you have paid them at the previous school. If you were paying the levies by instalments, you will usually be asked to pay the balance owing to the new school plus any subject levies specific to the new school.
Wearing school uniform is strongly encouraged in Tasmanian government schools.
Wearing a uniform identifies your child with their school and places all students on the same level in terms of clothing.
Most schools have a uniform shop or clothing pool that sells new and/or second-hand items. There are also retail shops that supply uniforms. Ask your school about your options.
Excursions and Other School Activities
While at school, your child is likely to attend excursions, cultural performances, school camps and sporting activities.
Where these activities are part of the school program, costs will be included as part of the school levy.
Where these activities are additional to the educational program (and therefore optional), the costs will be additional to the levy, but should be clearly outlined up front.
For more information, contact your school.
In some subjects there may be an option of extending a project or task at an additional cost. This contribution will only need to be paid if your child chooses to take up the opportunity.
Other charges for all students (including students eligible for STAS) may apply to items such as the school magazine, locker hire, the leavers’ dinner, extra music tuition, recreational or holiday trips and other items that are outside the standard educational program.
When introducing other chargeable activities, your school must consider inclusiveness and cost, and ensure that sufficient notice and payment options are provided.
If you are on a low income, you may be eligible for financial assistance to help with the costs of your child’s education.
The following is a description of some allowances and assistance schemes that you or your child may be eligible for. For more detailed information see Student financial assistance.
Student assistance scheme (STaS)
This scheme for low-income families provides help towards the cost of school levies. It is available for full-time students (unless special circumstances apply) attending a government or registered non-government school or college.
Eligibility depends on a parent/guardian income test or independent student income test for all applicants, other than children on Care and Protection Orders (who are formally wards of the state).
Student accommodation allowance for senior secondary students
This allowance is to help with the accommodation expenses of students who must live away from home in order to attend a senior secondary college.
Spectacles assistance scheme
This scheme provides for the purchase of spectacles for students in low-income families. Students must be attending a government or registered non-government school, or in a registered home education situation.
Centrelink student allowances
There are several student allowances available through Centrelink, subject to certain eligibility criteria.
These allowances include:
- Youth Allowance
For full-time students or new apprentices aged 16 to 24, and for people aged under 21 who are undertaking job search or a combination of approved activities.
- ABSTUDY
A range of allowances to assist Indigenous students and new apprentices.
- Pensioner Education Supplement
For people receiving income-support, to help with their education expenses.
- Assistance for Isolated Children
For families with a child who cannot attend school locally because of distance or special needs.
For information on Centrelink assistance programs contact:
Centrelink’s Youth and Student Services
Ph: 132490
Web: www.centrelink.gov.au
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Financial Assistance for Grandparents
From 2007, financial assistance available to grandparents (without the means test) includes access to both the Student Assistant Scheme (STAS) and the Spectacles Assistance Scheme.
To be eligible for financial assistance, grandparents will be required to show evidence of a formal relationship with the student.
For more details see Information for grandparents raising grandchildren.
Dependent Children of Temporary Visa Holders
If you hold a temporary visa, your child can be enrolled in a government school. Enrolment entitlement into a specific school is based on residential address, the same as it is for the children of Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Tuition fees apply to most temporary resident enrolments. Liability for tuition fees, and the amount payable, depends on the class of visa class you hold. Before you can enrol your child you must have an Authority to Enrol. The Authority is issued by International Services Office following payment of tuition fees.
School levies also apply to the enrolment of temporary residents. These are paid directly to your school when you enrol your child.
If you have difficulty in meeting the financial requirements, hardship provisions may be available to help pay tuition fees and levies. Eligibility for hardship provisions is based on the criteria for Financial Assistance.
Other Financial Assistance
There are several specific bursaries which can provide funding for students needing additional support.
For further information contact:
Department of Education, Financial Assistance Unit
Ph: 1800 816 057
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Tasmanian education system
Student Financial Assistance