EDUCATION MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) provides assistance to eligible families by helping with the costs associated with the education of their children.

In 2012 the EMA payment for parents/guardians is $470 for secondary students. This amount is split evenly between the parents/guardians and the school and is paid in two instalments as per the schedule of payments set out in the table below. Students turning 16 during the year will be paid a monthly pro-rate amount up to and including the month they turn sixteen.

Schedule of payments in 2012

Instalment

Portion

Secondary School Student


One (70%)

Parent or guardian

$164.50

School

$164.50


Two (30%)

Parent or guardian

$70.50

School

$70.50

 

The first instalment will comprise 70% of the EMA and will be paid from March 2012.  The second instalment will comprise the remaining 30% and will be paid from August 2012.  This payment schedule recognises that families incur the highest educational costs at the start of the school year.

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive the EMA, you must:

  • be either a parent or guardian of a primary or secondary school student up to the age of 16; and
  • be an eligible beneficiary of a Centrelink pension, allowance or benefit within themeaning of the State Concessions Act 2004 or be a Veterans Affairs (TPI) pensioner or be a foster parent; and 
  • submit your application to the College by the due date.

The eligibility criteria must be met as at the first day of Term 1 (1 February 2012 which is the first day for teaching staff) for the first instalment and the first day of Term 3 (16 July 2012) for the second instalment.

Any applications based on Centrelink payments that are not income tested (e.g. Carer Allowance, formerly Child Disability Allowance, Mobility Allowance and Remote Area Allowance) are not eligible unless the claimant, in their own name, complies with the second dot point above.

The EMA is payable up until the age of 16 years. Once a student turns 16, they should apply for Youth Allowance through Centrelink. For further information visit www.centrelink.gov.au

A new application must be submitted each year

Application Forms

Application forms are available from the College. Please submit your application to the College by 29 February 2012 for the first instalment of the EMA and by 3 August 2012 for the second instalment of the EMA unless your child remains enrolled at the same school and you were paid the first EMA instalment. (Late applications will not be accepted.)

The 2012 EMA Application Form is available for download via the following link:

The parent application form must be completed in full and signed by the applicant. It is recommended that schools sight a copy of the Centrelink card to verify the spelling of the applicant's name.

Payment methods

Direct Bank Deposit (EFT) payment option:

EFT payments can only be made to the parent’s nominated bank account for parent’s choosing the EFT payment option. Please advise the College if your nominated bank account changes during the year.

Cheque payment option:

Cheques payable to parents will be sent to the school for distribution for parent’s choosing the cheque payment option. Please advise the College if your address changes.

School Portion of the Education Maintenance Allowance

Schools must spend the school’s portion of the EMA on essential educational items for which all parents are normally expected to provide. Such items could include:

  • student text books
  • student stationery (e.g. pens, pencils, exercise books, work-books)
  • materials for electives where the student consumes or takes possession of the finished articles (e.g. home economics etc) or the payment sought is the difference between the basic materials/services and the higher cost alternatives
  • programs provided by outside specialists (e.g. visiting artists, speakers, performers)
  • school identification cards
  • official diary/handbook/work planner
  • student computer printing beyond the needs of the eight Key Learning Areas (e.g. personal use).
  • camps and excursions which are integral to the curriculum and which all students are expected to attend*
  • school uniform*

* EMA for these items can only be used if a prior balance is held by the student

The school’s portion of the EMA cannot be used to offset voluntary contributions (unless the applicant advises the College to do so). Common examples of materials or services which are supported through voluntary contributions are:

  • equipment purchases
  • buildings and grounds beautification
  • library fund
  • general contribution to the school.

Schools need to inform parents on request of the cost of the items on which they propose to spend the school’s portion of the EMA.  Schools are only custodians of the EMA. If a student transfers to another school, the balance of the school’s portion must be transferred to the student’s new school.

Questions

All queries relating to eligibility and payments of the EMA should be directed to the College.