The Rudd Government has decided to invest $2.6 billion to help families with the costs of education in the 2009 academic year. 1.2 million families across Australia receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A (FTB‑A) are expected to receive the one‑off lump sum payment of $950 per eligible child -for example a family with two children of school age, eligible for FTB‑A on 3 February 2009 will receive $1900.
Who is eligible for the Back to School Bonus?
- Families with children of school age eligible for FTB‑A on 3 February 2009 will receive the Back to School Bonus for each eligible school aged child (aged 4 to 18 on 3 February 2009).
- Families with dependents in receipt of Youth Allowance (students and apprentices), Austudy or ABSTUDY will also receive the one-off payment.
- Full-time student aged 21 to 24 years that are eligible to receive FTB‑A could also expect the Training and Learning Bonus.
- Full-time students aged 19 or 20 will not receive the Back to School Bonus but they will be eligible to receive a $950 payment through an administrative scheme.
When and how will it be paid?
- For those eligible beneficiaries receiving FTB‑A as a fortnightly payment, Centrelink will pay the $950 bonus from the fortnight commencing 11 March 2009.
- For eligible families receive FTB‑A as a lump sum, the Back to School Bonus will be paid in 2009‑10 or 2010‑11, after their 2008‑09 tax returns have been processed by the Australian Taxation Office.
How does this interact with the Education Tax Refund?
- The Back to School Bonus is in addition to assistance for education expenses that is available through the Education Tax Refund (ETR). Families entitled to FTB‑A in respect of children undertaking primary or secondary school studies for the relevant financial year are also eligible for the ETR.
- Under the ETR eligible families will be able to claim:
- a 50 per cent refundable tax offset every year for up to $750 of eligible expenses for each child undertaking primary school, (that is, a refund of up to $375 per child, per year); and
- a 50 per cent refundable tax offset every year for up to $1,500 of eligible expenses for each child undertaking secondary school (that is, a refund of up to $750 per child, per year).
- The Back to School Bonus will not affect eligibility for the ETR.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent site, keep up the good work
my partners ex, got the bonus to pay for their two kids school expenses, spent it on herself, never paid the school fee’s with it, now has hit us with the school fee’s bill for the 2009 year..also claims on travel expenses, even when its us who takes the kids to school or collects them, how can this happen? not happy, the system is screwed up and works in favour of those who want to cheat the system..
Hi I just wanted to know if i am eligible in getting this. I came to perth newly when this program was going on and i couldn’t get a chance to apply for this. I was just wondering if i’m still able to get the bonus!
Please help me.
Hi.. Just wondering if anyone knows if there is any back to school allowance for this year 2010??
I’m from QLD and have 5 children going to school, I’m wondering if we are getting the back to school allowance for 2010. Does anyone know.
Are we getting a back to school bonus for the year of 2010?
It’s hard to find information on this scheme and if it’s being paid in 2010, but the short answer is no, it was part of the stimulus package. The only people who will receive it in 2010 are those that didn’t receive it in 2009 because they claimed the Family Tax benefit as a lump sum on their 2009 tax returns
Well guess we are not getting this as even on centrelink there is nothing stating if we are in any future payments. You would think the government would pay some sort of back to school payment to help prepare the kids for the year. Guess the govenment is too busy spending money on things that aren’t important. And they pressure us to get our kids educated and go right through school… what a joke….. and they cant even assist us in doing that finacially. I school (high schhol) my son at home due to his disabilites and even then i dont get any form of financial support….. They need to start supporting these issues and now……. Whats a government if they are not there to support the areas that are needed. Too busy spending the money on themselves…..