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Childcare and education costs 

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Support for children’s education and childcare costs.

The cost of childcare and school can be a daunting prospect. It’s common for parents or guardians to make sacrifices so their children get what they need. There are steps you can take to help your children get the education they deserve without breaking the bank.

A parent holding the hand of a child as they jump on piles of coins.

Childcare subsidy

The Australian Government’s Child Care Subsidy helps people access a range of childcare services at a reduced cost. These include:

  • centre-based day care, like long day care and occasional day care
  • family day care
  • outside school hours care, including vacation care
  • in-home care.

Eligibility and how it works

There are certain requirements you must meet before qualifying for the Child Care Subsidy. These include residency status, income, and how often your child is in care. 

The subsidy is usually paid directly to your childcare provider and is passed on to you as a reduction in fees. 

The Child Care Subsidy typically doesn’t extend to cover the full cost of childcare, so families are expected to make a ‘gap’ payment – which is the difference between the subsidy and the provider’s fees. 

Where to find information

Child Care Subsidy – what you get and the eligibility criteria 

Additional Child Care Subsidy – what it is and who it applies to (e.g. grandparents, people transitioning to work, people experiencing temporary financial hardship)

StartingBlocks – find government-approved childcare services and costs

Public school costs in Australia

Primary and secondary school in Australia is delivered by: 

  • public ‘state’ schools, run by state and territory governments, that usually don’t require fees for a child to attend core curriculum education
  • non-government private schools that require fees.

Private schools can be very expensive to attend. Public state schools are fully government-funded and free to attend for core curriculum education, in most cases, around Australia. 

However, state schools do request that families pay a voluntary ‘school levy’ or ‘contribution’. It’s important to remember that this payment is voluntary. You are not legally required to pay it and the school cannot pressure you to pay.  

Other expenses

While fees aren’t compulsory in the state school system, there are other expenses such as uniforms, books, and school supplies. Plus, depending on your school, payment is required for extra-curricular subjects, some in-school subjects, and activities such as excursions. 

In Australia’s state school system, the cost of educating one child from their first year right through to Year 12 can amount to more than $50,000.

For families finding it difficult to pay these extra expenses, you might be able to ask for other arrangements to be set up with the school, like payment plans.

Financial support in your state or territory

Many state schools receive special funding to help parents and children with unique challenges in their area. For example, if the area is remote or economically disadvantaged. This may mean that your local state school has extra resources to make sure your child receives the full advantages of both educational and broader school activities. Here are some links to government assistance in your state or territory:

Australian Capital TerritoryFinancial and Resource Assistance for Families
Student transport program
New South WalesGetting help with primary school costs
Rural and distance education
Apply for a School Drive Subsidy
Northern TerritoryStudent financial help and scholarships
Remote Transit Subsidy
QueenslandFinancial support
School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS)
South AustraliaFinancial help, scholarships and grants
Getting to school
TasmaniaLevis and charges
Conveyance allowance
Financial support for schooling in Tasmania 
VictoriaHelp with school costs and fees
Student scholarships
Conveyance allowance 
Western Australia Secondary Assistance Scheme
Scholarships; School transport
Conveyance allowance

Concession schemes 

The state and territory governments run concession and financial assistance schemes to help with the costs of education for students, parents and guardians of students. 

Australian Capital TerritoryAssistance 
New South WalesConcessions, rebates and assistance
Northern TerritoryConcessions and payments
QueenslandConcessions
South AustraliaConcessions 
TasmaniaTasmanian Government Concessions
VictoriaConcessions and benefits
Western Australia Concessions

Paying for school and childcare in financial hardship

If you’re having trouble with ongoing costs, your school or childcare centre may have support options available to you to help you cover education-related expenses. Try having a confidential conversation with the wellbeing officer, principal, or accounts person. 

How schools may help

  • alternate ways to pay fees (including payment plans, cost-saving alternatives, reducing or waiving fees entirely) 
  • assistance finding second hand textbooks 
  • access to any devices needed for school, like laptops 
  • interpretation and translation services
  • referrals to not-for-profit community programs for education costs such as The Smith Family Learning for Life program 
  • access on your behalf to support services such as State School Relief in Victoria which can provide school supplies like uniforms, calculators and stationery

Centrelink payments

The Australian Government provides income support payments through Centrelink. You can use this tool to learn about your eligibility for payments, or go to Services Australia to learn more about the services and support they offer. 

Available payments

StudentsABSTUDY for First Nations students 

Youth Allowance for students and apprentices 

Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme – payments for students who can’t attend a local or state school
Parents or guardiansParenting Payment 
Parental Leave Pay
Family Tax Benefit Part A 
Family Tax Benefit Part B 
Child Care Subsidy 
Additional Child Care Subsidy
Carer Allowance
Child Dental Benefits Schedule

Dealing with Centrelink

Many people find dealing with Centrelink difficult. Applying for payments can be confusing. Most payments are set too low and have overly strict requirements. 

📌 See our dealing with Centrelink page.

No interest loans

No Interest Loans (NILs) allow you to borrow money to help you get back on your feet without having any of the crippling interest or high fees that come with other forms of loans. 

How does it work?

NILs are typically offered for up to $2,000-$3,000 for education fees, rent or bond, essentials like fridges, washing machines, furniture, kitchenware, medical expenses, car repairs, and other goods and services you might need to get back on your feet.

There are certain rules around who can apply for NILs. Broadly, you must: 

  • have a Health Care Card, a Pensioner Concession Card (or an income less than $45,000 per year after tax) 
  • have lived at your current address for more than three months 
  • show that you can repay the loan.

Who provides NILs?

The No Interest Loan Scheme is one of the financial services provided by Good Shepherd Microfinance. You can find providers over at the Good Shepherd website.

Saver Plus program

Saver Plus is a financial education program for families and individuals on a tight budget. The program is designed to build financial skills and develop life-long savings habits, and offers up to $500 to help with education costs. 

This information was last updated on 5 June 2023.

The links and resources in this article have been compiled and reviewed by the Brotherhood of St. Laurence. We aren’t responsible for what you’ll find at the links, though we do hope you find the information useful. See our disclaimer if you’d like to know more.  

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📌 See more:

Paying for post-secondary education

Dealing with Centrelink

Getting help with everyday expenses

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