Get help with the cost of schooling

Help with school costs

The Future of Education Equity Fund gives financial help to families who need it. It helps get the things your child needs for school and their wellbeing. For example, it can help cover costs like uniforms, excursions, sporting equipment, sporting activities and music lessons.

You can apply for the fund if you are a low-income family with a child enrolled in an ACT school from preschool to year 12.

If your application is approved, you get a one-off payment for the school year:

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

Check if you can apply

To apply, you must:

• live in the ACT
• have sole or shared parental responsibility for the child or be an independent student
• be financially responsible for the child
• be able to show proof of low income.

Proof of low income includes:

• a current means-tested Health Care Card or Centrelink card that lists the child as a dependent. You need to provide copies of both sides of your card when you apply. We cannot assess your application without this.
• other forms of evidence proving you have a low income or equivalent financial stress. The application form has more information and examples.

The child or young person must fit one of the following:

• live with the person applying for the fund
• live in special government care that the applicant pays for
• be an independent student.

The child or young person must also be one of the following:

• enrolled full-time in an ACT school (public or non-government) from preschool to year 12
• enrolled in another approved type of education for children of similar age, for example, registered for home education
• enrolled at the Canberra Institute of Technology in a course that is equivalent to year 10, year 11 or year 12 study.

How to apply

Apply for the Equity Fund

After you apply

Once you submit your application, it may take up to 6 weeks to process and make the payment.

For more information or if you have questions, email EquityFund@act.gov.au or call 02 6207 1818.

Help with everyday essentials

All ACT public schools can help children and young people get what they need for school. This is part of making sure all students can access education, no matter their situation.

Schools can help with things like:

• meals
• personal hygiene items, including sanitary products
• school uniforms
• book packs and stationery
• school excursions and camps
• transport
• enrichment activities.

If you're having trouble paying for school essentials, talk to your school. You can:

• speak to the school principal or another staff member
• ask a relative, caseworker, friend or advocate to contact the school for you
• contact the Equity Fund Team at EquityFund@act.gov.au or call 02 6207 1818.

Meals in Schools Pilot

The ACT Government is also running a pilot in 5 public schools to provide free breakfast and lunch for students. It provides the meals for up to 3 days a week for 120 days. This aims to help students focus on learning by making sure they have access to healthy food.

The pilot runs until July 2025. The schools taking part are:

• Gilmore Primary School
• Richardson Primary School
• Narrabundah Early Childhood School
• Gold Creek School (senior campus)
• Melba Copland Secondary School (college campus).

Meals are prepared by a local catering group and follow healthy eating guidelines. If your child has special dietary needs, the schools will make sure these are met.

For more information or if you have questions, email mealsinschools@act.gov.au.