Low-income families who attend government school can get financial help with school fees – materials and services charges – through the School Card scheme.
If your school fees are less than the School Card subsidy, you could also get help with expenses such as uniform, camp and excursion costs.
Parents should speak directly to their school about financial help.
On this page
Who can apply
School Card is available to:
- families with children aged four years and over who attend a school full-time
- independent full-time students studying year 10, 11 or 12
- adult re-entry students who are completing their SACE.
How to apply
Applications for the 2023 school year are now open. Fill in the correct application form based on your circumstances.
Reassessment (School Card R) will be available later in the year until the end of term 4.
School Card A – most used application
This is the most commonly used school card application. Use this form if you are liable for your child’s school fees and you're not:
- self-employed
- an independent youth
- an adult re-entry student
- a migrant who arrived in Australia after 1 July 2021
- receiving Veteran’s Affairs benefits
- applying for a foster child in your care.
Adult re-entry student – School Card S
Use this form if you're an adult re-entry student – over 18, returning to study and have not achieved your SACE.
Independent student – School Card Y
Use this form if you're a student who receives Independent Youth Allowance as at 28 February 2022.
Hardship, change of circumstances or self-employed – School Card B
For use where:
- your income for 2021-22 is over the School Card limits but you experienced hardship in the 2021-22 financial year
- you have had a change of financial circumstances during the 2021-22 financial year up to and including 28 February 2023
- you are self-employed.
Migrants or new arrivals – School Card M
Use this form if you have arrived in Australia or have been released from a detention centre since 1 July 2021.
Veterans – School Card V
Use this form if you receive Veteran’s Affairs benefits.
Informal and formal care agreement – School Card F
For use where one or more students are either:
- under an informal care agreement – informal foster arrangement
- in your care through a court order – formal foster arrangement – as at 28 February 2023
- being cared for by a grandparent, family members and caregivers as at 28 February 2023.
Government schools
School Card F – government schools – apply now
School Card F – government schools – download printable form (PDF 197 KB)
Non-government schools
School Card F – non-government schools – apply now
School Card F – non-government schools – download printable form (PDF 195 KB)
Reassessment – School Card R
Use if you've submitted an application but were assessed as not eligible and you want to be reassessed.
Income limits
The income limits are for applications lodged in 2023 – based on the family's gross income in 2021-22.
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 – such as payslips or Centrelink information.
Government schools
| Number of dependent children | Combined gross family income limit for the 2021-22 financial year | Gross weekly school card income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $66,412 | $1,277 |
| 2 | $67,598 | $1,300 |
| 3 | $68,784 | $1,323 |
| 4 | $69,970 | $1,346 |
| 5 | $71,156 | $1,369 |
| Each additional dependent child | $1,186 | $23 |
Non-government schools
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).
Catholic schools
| Number of dependent children | Combined gross family income limit for the 2021-22 financial year | Gross weekly school card income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $66,412 | $1,277 |
| 2 | $67,598 | $1,300 |
| 3 | $68,784 | $1,323 |
| 4 | $69,970 | $1,346 |
| 5 | $71,156 | $1,369 |
| Each additional dependent child | $1,186 | $23 |
Independent schools
The income limits for independent schools may differ for each school. Please speak to your child’s school for details.
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
- Services Australia - support and payments while you study, retrain or complete an apprenticeship
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
