One off payment available for ACT families to ease back to school expenses

Families in the Australian Capital Territory may be eligible for a one off payment which has been designed to cover the cost of education expenses – including those relating to preschool – via the ACT Government’s Future of Education Equity Fund. 

The Education Equity Fund supports financially disadvantaged families with students from preschool through to Year 12 in any ACT school. Payments available are as follows:  

• $400 for preschool student
• $500 for primary school students
• $750 for high school and college students

In 2023, the Fund supported more than 5,000 students, with almost $3 million distributed to families by supporting children and families to access items and services that help them fully engage with their education.

“Whatever their background or circumstances, we want to give children an equal chance to participate fully at school,” Minister for Education and Youth Affairs Yvette Berry said.

“We know that some Canberra families are doing it tough, and we want to ensure all of our students can access items and services that will help them fully engage with their education.”

Applications for the 2024 school year will remain open until 29 November 2024.

Information about the fund, and a link to apply online, is available here.