Boarding Away from Home Allowance
Agricultural Special Subsidy
The Western Australian Department of Education makes available a student Boarding Away from Home Allowance (BAHA) each year to families with children attending primary and/or secondary school.
This allowance is $1,424 if the student is in residential accommodation for the entire year. Pro rata payments are also made.
This subsidy is not available to:
Parents / guardians who are in receipt of Assistance for Isolated Children from the Department of Human Services (Centrelink);
Students who are in receipt of Youth Allowance at the Away Rate or
Students who are in receipt of ABSTUDY with full boarding paid by the Department of Human Services (Centrelink).
Deductions will be made to the student account once the College receives the completed form.
Elligble families will receive an application form in February of each year with a closing date of 31 July.
Boarding Away from Home Allowance –
Assistance for Isolated Children
This allowance is $1,424 if the student is in residential accommodation for the entire year subject to confirmation that you have received the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) allowance or Second Home Allowance for the whole of the year.
Pro-rata payments are also made for periods over one month in duration.
Deductions are made to the student account once the College receives the completed form along with evidence of receiving AIC from Centrelink.
In Term 4, the Department of Education will verify AIC payments for the remainder of the year through the enrolment status of your child with the College. When this is acknowledged, the payment process commences. Payments are made direct to the College.
Should your details change at any time during the year, please notify the Department of Education via email student.allowances@education.wa.edu.au.
Elligble families will receive application forms in February of each year with a closing date at the end of November.
Secondary Assistance Scheme
The Department of Education provides an allowance to assist eligible families with secondary schooling costs.
To be eligible for the allowance the Parent / Guardian must hold a Department of Human Services (Centrelink) Health Care Card, Department of Human Services (Centrelink) Pensioner Concession Card or a Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card that represents a statement of low income for the family.
Please Note: The only Veterans’ Affairs Card that meets the criteria is a blue card that is issued each year and expires in December each year. This card is income means tested.
The allowance consists of two components:
$300 Clothing Allowance which will be paid to the parent / guardian unless indicated on the application form that you wish it to paid to the College.
$235 Education Program Allowance which is paid directly to the College and will be deducted from contributions and charges.
These forms will need to be completed and returned to the College prior to the closing date together with a photocopy of your concession card if you are unable to provided this in person. Late applications will only be accepted in extenuating circumstances and must be accompanied with a written explanation.
Elligble families will receive an application form from December of each year with a closing date at the end of Term 1 the following year.
Financial Assistance
Personalised Payment Plan
A personalised instalment plan is an available option to help you pay College subject and residential boarding fees in regular affordable instalments.
We average your charges (excluding extra-curricular charges) over the school year so you can pay in set instalments via direct debit. You can choose whether to pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly. We will review your personalised instalment plan regularly and advise you if you are on target or if any adjustments may be required. There are no additional fees or costs involved in a personalised instalment plan.
To enquire or to set-up a personalised instalment plan, please contact the Manager Corporate Services on (08) 9848 0200 or email denmark.wacoa.finance@education.wa.edu.au.
The following Student Allowances and concessions are not administered by the Department of Education WA
Assistance for Isolated Children
You may be eligible for Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme payments if:
you meet residence requirements
your family home is geographically isolated from an appropriate state school
the student has a disability or a special health related or educational need that cannot be met at a local state school
the student does not have reasonable daily access to state schooling for at least 20 school days in a year for reasons beyond the family’s control
the student is not geographically isolated but they do not have reasonable daily access to state schooling, and
the student:
boards away from home at a school or hostel or privately, or
can go to school daily because your family has a second home, or
lives at home and is undertaking distance education or approved
home schooling
Applications for Assistance for Isolated Children are made directly through your nearest Centrelink office or by calling 13 23 18.
Subsidised Travel Scheme
The Student Subsidised Travel Scheme provides travel assistance to school and tertiary students between home and school by regular passenger transport (air, bus or rail) via the most direct route.
Eligibility criteria does apply. Applications for assistance are made directly to the Department of Transport by calling 1300 660 147 or visiting their website.
Saver Plus Program
Saver Plus is a matched savings and financial education program that can assist you to:
reach a savings goal.
become a regular saver.
build your money management skills.
Saver Plus provides an opportunity to have every dollar saved (up to $500) matched with an additional dollar for your own or your family’s education-related expenses. Saver Plus is available in 60 locations across Australia. You may be eligible to join Saver Plus if you or your partner:
have a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card.
have some regular income from work.
are at least 18 years old; and
are a parent or guardian of a child at school or are doing a vocational training course yourself.
Applications for assistance are made directly to Saver Plus. Call 1300 610 355 or email saverplus@bsl.org.au.
School Bus Services Conveyance Allowance
A Conveyance Allowance is paid to a parent/carer to assist in costs of driving their child to and from school or a pick- up location.
Criteria and conditions apply. School Bus Services will determine which form of transport assistance will be offered.
Applications for assistance are made directly to School Bus Services.
Little Friends Scholarships
Friends with Dignity aims to help children affected by domestic and family violence to achieve happy, healthy, and inclusive lives. These scholarships are designed for children who are financially impacted by such circumstances.
Scholarships are awarded nationwide on an “as needs basis” with all valid applications being reviewed and considered.
Scholarships are up to a maximum value of $500 per child.
