Help with the cost of schooling and everyday needs

The Future of Education Equity Fund provides financial support to eligible families, helping students access everyday essentials that assist with their education and wellbeing needs. It supports families with students who are enrolled in years P-12 in ACT schools (including non-government schools) or another approved form of education who meet the eligibility criteria.

Future of Education Equity Fund years P–12

The Future of Education Equity Fund provides a one-off, annual payment to low-income families living in the ACT to help cover the costs of education expenses such as school uniforms, school excursions, sport equipment and activities and music lessons.

The following payments are available to those who meet the eligibility criteria:

• $400 for preschool students
• $500 for primary school students
• $750 for high-school and college students.

Eligibility: who can apply?

Families are eligible to apply for the fund if they, and their dependent students, meet the eligibility criteria. Independent students may also apply.

Criteria

Applicants must:

• live in the ACT
• have sole or shared parental responsibility for a dependent student(s) in grades P-12, or be an independent student
• be financially responsible for the student(s)
• demonstrate low-income status through:
  • a current means-tested Health Care Card or Centrelink card, which must list the student(s) as dependents (some payment codes only)
    or
  • other forms of evidence proving low-income status or equivalent financial stress.

You must attach copies of both sides of your Centrelink or Health Care Card if this is the evidence of low-income status that you are submitting with your application. We cannot start assessing your application without this.

Students must be:

• enrolled full-time in a public or non-government school in the ACT in years P-12. For the Equity Fund, a preschool is defined as a preschool that is attached to an ACT school and led by a principal. Only eligible preschools will appear in the application form
• enrolled in an approved form of education other than a school and of an equivalent age to a student in years K–12 – for example, attending the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) or registered for home-schooling in the ACT
• living with the applicant in the ACT, or in special government care that is paid for by the applicant, or be independent.

More information about the evidence requirements for applicants, including proof of low-income status and home address, is in the Equity Fund online application form.

Application/payment processing time

We aim to complete processing and payment of applications within 4 to 6 weeks of the date the completed application was submitted.

2024 school year applications

Applications for the Equity Fund for the 2024 school year are being accepted. The deadline for applications for the 2024 school year is 29 November 2024. Please apply using the application link below.

More information

For assistance or questions, contact the Equity Fund Team at EquityFund@act.gov.au or on 6207 1818.

Meals in Schools pilot

The ACT Government is trialling a Meals in Schools pilot at five ACT public schools starting in term 3, 2024.

Students will have access to free breakfast and lunch up to three days per week for 120 days. The ACT Government believes every child deserves a quality education, and access to adequate nutrition is beneficial to learning and wellbeing. Research indicates that access to meals at school positively impacts learning, understanding of nutrition and contributes to school satisfaction.

The five pilot schools are:

• Gilmore Primary School
• Richardson Primary School
• Narrabundah Early Childhood School
• Gold Creek School (senior campus – years 7 to 10)
• Melba Copland Secondary School (College campus only - years 10 to 12)

The pilot schools were selected based on a range of factors including student enrolments, location, and educational setting to capture a broad representation of ACT public schools.

The Meals in Schools pilot is a collaboration between the Education Directorate and school communities and funded through the Future of Education Equity Fund. There is no intention for the pilot to negatively impact existing school canteens. Each school will keep their community updated on the progress of the Meals in Schools rollout which will commence in term 3, 2024.

For questions or further information about the Meals in Schools pilot please contact mealsatschool@act.gov.au

Providing students with everyday essentials

All ACT public schools are resourced to help students access everyday essentials. This is part of public education’s important objective of making access to education more equitable for all students, regardless of personal circumstances.

Schools can help students access meals, personal hygiene products including sanitary hygiene items, school uniform items, book packs and stationery, school excursions, camps, transport and enrichment activities.

If you are experiencing a situation that affects your ability to meet the costs of schooling or everyday essentials for your child, we encourage you to talk to us.

Families who are looking for help with the costs of schooling can:

• talk to the school principal or other staff member about their situation
• have a relative, caseworker, friend or advocate make contact on your behalf
• contact the Equity Fund Team at EquityFund@act.gov.au or on 6207 1818