9.5.3.1 Allowances for Primary Students

Students who are enrolled in primary education are eligible for an annual education allowance. The annual education allowance provide to primary students shall be paid in full in respect of any initial part year.

The first year of primary schooling differs across the states and territories. A student is eligible for the MRCAETS’ benefits with effect from the date of commencement of the first year of formal primary schooling.

Prior to the first year of formal primary schooling, students attend part-time and so are not eligible for benefits under the Scheme.

Please note the table below also includes information about the first year of formal schooling (part-time) available in each state/territory.

Final year of primary school

The final year of primary school is consistent across all Australian states and territories - Year 6. Students in Year 7, regardless of where they are physically located, are paid the secondary school rate of education allowance under the MRCAETS.

 Who may an education allowance be paid to?

Payment of the allowance will be made to the person who is entitled to be paid family tax benefit under A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 (entitled person) and if there is no entitled person - to a person approved by the Commission to receive the payment on the student’s behalf.