The Secondary Assistance Scheme (SAS) is available to low-income families with children enrolled in secondary schooling to assist with school expenses.

As part of the changes, from 2025, parents receiving ABSTUDY Schooling Assistance payments through Services Australia (Centrelink) can apply for SAS if they are eligible. The ABSTUDY Supplement Allowance will end in 2025.

The SAS comprises an education program allowance which is paid to the school and a clothing allowance which is paid to the parent. For public school students, parents and guardians can choose to pay the clothing allowance to the school for other expenses. Applications for the 2024 SAS closed at the end of Term 1, 2024.

The additional payments to existing SAS recipients in 2024 were paid in early September. Payments were made to parent bank accounts or the school, in line with the preference of the applicant. Where the school received the payment, school staff will contact parents to discuss how to apply the payment.

Applications for the 2025 SAS will open in Term 1, 2025.

The allowance consists of two components:

$300.00 Clothing Allowance paid directly to the parent/guardian or the
school.

$235.00 Education Program Allowance paid directly to the school

Form will need to be signed by school staff for processing.