13.6.4 Schoolkids Bonus (ceased December 2016)
The Schoolkids Bonus ceased in December 2016.
The Schoolkids Bonus assisted with education costs for primary and secondary students who received an education allowance under the Veterans Children’s Education Scheme (VCES) or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme (MRCAETS).
The Schoolkids Bonus was an education payment that replaced the Education Tax Offset claimable through the Australian Taxation Office.
The payment provided funding for families to assist with their children’s education costs such as uniforms and text books. It also assisted families to participate in educational opportunities such as camps and excursions.
The Schoolkids Bonus was paid in January and July each year; the last payment being paid in July 2016.
In addition to the ongoing Schoolkids Bonus, the Primary School Start-up Payment was paid as a one-off payment on commencement of the first year of primary school.
The Schoolkids Bonus and Primary School Start-up Payment eligibility rested on the qualifying payment of an education allowance paid under the VCES or the MRCAETS for primary and full-time secondary school students and the payments are were therefore paid automatically.
Payments were tax free and did not count for income support purposes.