13.6.4.3 Eligibility for Schoolkids Bonus (ceased December 2016)

13.6.4.3 Eligibility

The Schoolkids Bonus ceased in December 2016.

To be eligible to receive the ongoing Schoolkids Bonus:

• the parent/guardian or student must have been receiving an education allowance under the VCES or the MRCAETS; and
• the student:

Eligibility for Start-up Schoolkids Bonus - New Primary School Student

Parents of students were eligible for the Start-up Schoolkids Bonus if they:

• were in receipt of an education allowance on the bonus test day; and
• they intended their child to go to primary school (or the student was attending primary school) for the first time for at least one day during the current education period.

The rate of Start-up Schoolkids Bonus was equal to the primary school rate.

Example 1

As at 1 January 2013, the parents of 5 year old Ryan, intend to send him to primary school for the first time and were granted education allowance from 1 January 2013, but subsequently moved the family overseas and thus did not start Ryan in school in Australia. The parents retained the Schoolkids Bonus because the education allowance was not recovered and they were only required to have intended that the child was to go to school to receive the Schoolkids Bonus.

Example 2

Amelia’s parents became eligible for an education allowance on 1 January 2013 because they intended for Amelia to start primary school for the first time that year. Amelia did not commence primary school until April 2013 because of the school’s age policy. However, Amelia’s parents were eligible for the Start-up Schoolkids Bonus of January 2013 because Amelia undertook primary education for the first time on at least one day during the current education period.

Example 3

Dean’s father died of war-causes in July 2013 and his mother moved back to Australia in August 2013 with Dean commencing primary school for the first time then. At the same time, Dean’s mother applied for the MRCAETS. She received the annual primary education allowance amount, and because Dean undertook at least one day of primary education for the first time during the current education period (June-December), and the annual education allowance covers the whole year, was eligible for the Start-up Schoolkids Bonus.

Example 4

Lisa commenced primary school for the first time in February 2013 but her parents only applied for MRCAETS in August 2013. The education allowance was backdated to 1 January 2013 because Lisa’s father was assessed the previous December as suffering from a service-related injury at 80 impairment points under the MRCA. As well as a backdated education allowance to 1 January 2013, Lisa’s parents received one backdated Start-up Schoolkids Bonus and one Schoolkids Bonus payment.

Eligibility for School Leaver Payment – Final Schoolkids Bonus Instalment

To receive a School Leaver Payment the student must have met the following requirements:

• have undertaken primary or secondary education for at least one day in 2012;
• completed Year 12 of secondary school or equivalent in the previous education period for the bonus test day;
• been in receipt of an education allowance during the previous education period; and
• notified the Department of completion of secondary school within 13 weeks from the bonus test day closest to the date of completion.

The student must also have met the following age requirements:

• on the bonus test day of 1 January the student must have been aged under 20 or have turned 20 on the bonus test day; or
• on the bonus test day of 30 June the student must have been aged under 19 or have turned 19 during the calendar year in which the bonus test day occurred.

Those who left their final year of secondary school early do not qualify for the School Leaver Payment (see section 22B(4) of a The New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999). A student can be considered eligible, however, for this payment if they left school early due to sickness, disability or special circumstances.

Example 1

John met the above requirements with an official secondary school completion date of 15 November 2013 and received the School Leaver Payment.

Example 2

Jenny met the above requirements with an official secondary school completion date of 30 April 2013. Jenny received a School Leaver payment in relation to the 30 June 2013 bonus test day.