WA families promised up to $250 per school-aged child

Update: Applications to receive the WA Student Assistance Payment opened on 15 April. 

"With claims now open, I encourage families to apply to access extra help with their school costs,” WA Premier Roger Cook said.

"If you claim through the ServiceWA app, the payment will be in your bank account in around a week."

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WA's new Student Assistance Payment aims to ease the burden of school expenses on parents and guardians.

It will provide $250 to families of secondary school students and $150 to families of primary school and kindergarten students. 

Families will receive a payment for every child they have enrolled in school or kindergarten, meaning households with multiple students can access multiple payments.

"We know interest rates and higher day-to-day costs are putting pressure on WA families, and this initiative will help many families with the costs that come with having school-aged kids,” WA Premier Roger Cook said.

"It will provide that extra help to pay for a new backpack, school shoes, uniforms, calculators, or even food in their kids' lunchbox."

The Student Assistance Payment package is worth $103.5 million and will make up part of WA’s upcoming 2024-2025 state budget. 

The previous state budget, covering 2023-2024, saw WA post a $4.2 billion surplus. 

It included two $200 electricity credits provided to households living within the state last year.

How to claim $250 per school student in 2024

The payments will be available to parents and guardians of all school and kindergarten students enrolled at a WA public school, non-government school, or registered for home schooling. 

Families of students can claim the payment through the ServiceWA app.

They must provide proof of identity and their child’s WA Student Number in order to prove their eligibility. 

Applications will close on 28 June.

The WA Government recommends parents and guardians of school students set up their digital identity before attempting to use the app to claim the payment.

On top of the new payment, WA’s Secondary Assistance Scheme will remain open for families in possession of a concession card. 

The existing assistance scheme sees an education program allowance paid to a secondary student’s school and a clothing allowance paid to either their school or their parents. 

The state government also made public transport free for students commuting to school earlier this year. 

“The cost of public transport for school kids adds up, and this measure alone can save families more than $500 each year,” Mr Cook said on announcing the change.

Other states offering financial help with school and activity costs

Australia's westernmost state isn’t the only one offering cost-of-living relief for families of school-aged children. 

Eligible NSW families can claim two vouchers, each worth $50, which can go towards childrens’ activities this year. 

Certain other state governments also provide financial support to help low-income households meet school costs. 

Victoria’s Camps, Sports, and Excursions fund, for instance, provides payments of up to $250 per year for eligible school students.

Meanwhile, South Australia’s School Card scheme helps to subsidise education costs for eligible families.

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