The Allan Labor Government’s $400 School Saving Bonus is rolling out this week – helping busy Victorian families with the cost of living. 

Member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh visited Morwell Central Primary School today to announce that families will be able to access the School Saving Bonus from this week, helping them with the cost of textbooks, uniforms, camps, excursions, and other school activities. 

The Labor Government’s $280 million investment will deliver cost of living relief to around 700,000 Victorian families – giving them time to plan and budget for the 2025 school year. 

Parents with kids at a government school won’t need to apply for their bonus: it is free, automatic and universal. 

This week, these families will receive an email giving them access to their $400 per child. Families will be able to choose how they allocate their funds, whether that’s a uniform and textbook voucher – or adding money to their school account for camps, excursions or other extracurricular activities. 

The Bonus applies to each child, so a family with three school children will receive $1,200 in support to help cover school costs. 

The voucher for uniforms and textbooks will be redeemable at local school-approved uniform or book suppliers, while funds allocated to activities will be credited to the family’s school account. 

Families can purchase uniforms and textbooks in-person or online through school-approved suppliers, including State School Relief, which offers items such as shoes, swimwear and workwear for VCE Vocational Major students. 

Vouchers will also be redeemable at school-operated second-hand uniform and textbook shops. Textbook and uniform vouchers will be valid until 30 June 2025. 

Unspent funds will automatically transfer to a family’s school account once the uniform and textbook voucher period expires, with parents able to use the remaining funds on future school activities. 

For families of students at a non-government school, the $400 will be provided directly to each school – to be managed in consultation with the student's family and in line with the intent of the program. 

Non-government school families who are eligible for the means-tested Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (including healthcare and concession card holders) are also eligible for the School Saving Bonus. Families will only need to apply for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund to receive both types of support. 

That’s not the only way we’re supporting families with the cost of living. We’ve just ticked over 50 million meals through our School Breakfast Clubs, and announced even more vouchers through Get Active Kids. 

The Labor Government is also tripling the Glasses for Kids program and providing free dental care through our Smile Squad vans – saving parents money, time and hassle. 

For more information on the $400 School Saving Bonus, visit vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus 

Quotes attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan 

“Families want the best for their kids. The best education, the right textbook, a fresh uniform, the camps and excursions they’ll remember forever.” 

“It’s why our School Saving Bonus is helping give kids a great start to the school year – and their parents one less thing to worry about.” 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Ben Carroll 

“We’re making life a little bit easier for families by providing a $400 once-off payment from today so that families can begin planning and budgeting for the 2025 school year.” 

“With the cost-of-living biting, no parent or carer wants to think about their child missing out on the essentials like school uniforms and textbooks, camps, excursions and school sports.” 

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh 

"Education is the ticket to a better future. This is meaningful and targeted support for families that is focused on the next generation and will make an immediate difference.” 

Quote attributable to Morwell Central Primary School Principal Narelle Bloomfield 

“At Morwell Central Primary, our families are finding it difficult to manage the current cost of living. The school bonus payment will alleviate some of that stress and ease the financial burden during the back-to-school period, when budgets are tight for many families.”