13.6.5.2 Receiving the Income Support Bonus

The Income Support Bonus is paid to the person or persons receiving the education allowance and is automatically paid into their bank account.

If a shared care arrangement exists for the payment of the education allowance (for separated parents), those proportions will be applied to the Income Support Bonus.

Amounts

The current Income Support Bonus amount can be found in the payment rates chart.

All Education Schemes students are considered and paid at the ‘single’ rate.

It is paid every six months in late March and September. These amounts increase in line with the Consumer Price Index. Indexation information can be found on the AustLII website.

Tax and Income Testing

The Income Support Bonus is tax-free, not subject to a means-test and is not included as income for income test purposes.