The School Card scheme offers financial assistance with school fees (materials and services charges) for students attending government schools in that year.
If your school fees are less than the School Card subsidy, the scheme can also help with other educational expenses such as uniform, camp and excursion costs.
Parents of students at non-government schools should speak directly to the school about financial assistance.
Eligibility
School Card is available to:
- families with children aged four years and over who attend a school full-time
- independent full time years 10 or 11 students who are studying six subjects
- independent full time year 12 students who are studying five subjects
- adult re-entry students undertaking Department for Education funded subjects at a government school.
Applications
Applicants need to complete an application form at the beginning of each year. Online applications will work on any device connected to the internet. This includes mobile phones, tablets and computers.
School Card A
This is the most commonly used School Card application. Use this form if you are responsible for your child’s school fees.
Do not use this form if you are:
- self-employed
- an independent youth
- an adult re-entry student
- a migrant who arrived in Australia after 1 July 2018
- receiving Veteran’s Affairs benefits
- applying for a foster child in your care.
School Card S – adult re-entry student
Use this if you are an adult re-entry student, over 18, returning to study and have not achieved your SACE.
School Card S (adult re-entry student) – apply online
School Card S (adult re-entry student) – download form
School Card Y – independent student
Use this if you are a student who is in receipt of Independent Youth Allowance as at 29 February 2020.
School Card Y (independent student) – apply online
School Card Y (independent student) – download form
School Card B – hardship, change of circumstances or self-employed
For use where:
- your income for 2019/20 is over the School Card limits but you experienced hardship in the 2018/2019 financial year
- you have had a change of financial circumstances during the 2018/2019 financial year up to and including 29 February 2020
- you are self-employed.
School Card B (hardship, change of circumstances or self-employed) – apply online
School Card B (hardship, change of circumstances or self-employed) – download form
School Card M – migrants or new arrivals
For use where you have arrived in Australia or have been released from a detention centre since the 1 July 2018.
School Card M (migrants or new arrivals) – apply online
School Card M (migrants or new arrivals) – download form
School Card V – Veteran's Affairs
Use if you receive Veteran’s Affairs benefits.
School Card V (veteran's affairs) – apply online
School Card V (veteran's affairs) – download form
School Card F – informal and formal care agreement
For use where one or more students:
- are under an informal care agreement (informal foster arrangement) or
- have come into your care through a court order (formal foster arrangement) as at 29 February 2020 or
- where the child/children are being cared for by a grandparent(s) or other family members and caregivers as at 29 February 2020.
School Card F (foster care government school) – apply online
School Card F (foster care government school) – download form
School Card F (foster care non-government school) – apply online
School Card F (foster care non-government school) – download form
Phone 1800 672 758 (free call) for help.
Income limits
The tables below list the income limits for applications lodged in 2020 – based on the family's gross income in 2018/2019.
To qualify for School Card, your family's gross income must be below a certain limit. This limit depends on how many dependent children you have and whether your child attends a government, independent, or Catholic school.
You will need to provide proof of income – eg payslips or Centrelink information.
Eligibility income limits for a student attending a government school
| Number of dependent children | Gross annual income limit | Gross weekly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $60,264 | $1,159 |
| 2 children | $61,340 | $1,180 |
| 3 children | $62,416 | $1,201 |
| 4 children | $63,492 | $1,222 |
| 5 children | $64,568 | $1,243 |
| More than 5 children | Add $1,076 for each dependent child | Add $21 for each dependent child |
Eligibility income limits for a student attending a non-government school
The income limits for students attending non-government schools are set by the Association of Independent Schools of South Australia (AISSA) and Catholic Education South Australia (CESA).
Independent schools income limits
The income limits for independent schools may differ for each school. Please speak to your child’s school for details.
Catholic schools income limits
| Number of dependent children | Gross annual income limit | Gross weekly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $60,264 | $1,159 |
| 2 children | $61,340 | $1,180 |
| 3 children | $62,416 | $1,201 |
| 4 children | $63,492 | $1,222 |
| 5 children | $64,568 | $1,243 |
| More than 5 children | Add $1,076 for each dependent child | Add $21 for each dependent child |
Related information
On this site
- Payments and financial support schemes
- Scholarships
- Travel concession and allowances
- Parents in Education funding for school and preschool communities
Other websites
- Students or trainees - Centrelink
- Payments and services - Australian Government Department of Human Services
Contact
For more information or help to complete the form talk to your school or phone freecall 1800 672 758.
Email: education.schoolcard@sa.gov.au
