For families who haven’t had a chance to use their bonus, time is running out to buy uniforms or textbooks.
More than 700,000 transactions have been processed since the Bonus was launched in November, with families saving more than $60 million on uniforms, $58 million on camps and excursions, and $31.8 million on textbooks.
While most families have drawn on their School Saving Bonus in part or in full, around 30 per cent of bonuses remain untouched – ready to be used by families ahead of winter.
The next few months are the last chance to use the $400 School Saving Bonus to purchase uniforms or textbooks, either through approved suppliers or at second-hand uniform and textbook shops run by schools.
Any money unspent by 30 June will automatically transfer to a family’s school account, with parents able to use these remaining funds on school activities like camps, sports or excursions.
Non-government school families who have a healthcare or concession card are also eligible to receive the bonus. These schools decide how to allocate the bonus to best accommodate their families and students.
The School Saving Bonus builds on easing the cost-of-living, including free school dental checkups, the Glasses for Kids program, and Breakfast Clubs dishing up more than 53 million meals since 2016.