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. Forms can be submitted from the start of January.
The application period for 2019 closed on 22 November 2019. Application forms will not be available until the 2020 application period.
The reassessment form is still available. If you need help completing the form, talk to your school or call the School Card team.
Phone: 1800 672 758 (free call).
Reassessment
For applicants to request their application be reassessed after not being approved for School Card assistance for the 2019 school year.
Income limits
The tables below list the income limits for applications lodged in 2019 – based on the family's gross income in 2017/2018.
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 | $59,432 | $1,143 |
| 2 children | $60,493 | $1,164 |
| 3 children | $61,554 | $1,185 |
| 4 children | $62,615 | $1,206 |
| 5 children | $63,676 | $1,227 |
| More than five children | Add $1,061 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). If you have questions about the income limits for independent schools, contact AISSA. For questions about the income limits for Catholic schools, contact CESA.
Independent schools
| Number of dependent children | Gross annual income limit | Gross weekly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $38,892 | $748 |
| 2 children | $39,953 | $769 |
| 3 children | $41,014 | $790 |
| 4 children | $42,075 | $811 |
| 5 children | $43,136 | $832 |
| More than five children | Add $1,061 for each dependent child | Add $21 for each dependent child |
Catholic schools
| Number of dependent children | Gross annual income limit | Gross weekly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $59,432 | $1,143 |
| 2 children | $60,493 | $1,164 |
| 3 children | $61,554 | $1,185 |
| 4 children | $62,615 | $1,206 |
| 5 children | $63,676 | $1,227 |
| More than five children | Add $1,061 for each dependent child | Add $21 for each dependent child |
Related information
On this site
Other websites
- Students or trainees - Centrelink
- Payments and services - Australian Government Department of Human Services
Contact
For more information or assistance with completing the form talk to your school or phone freecall 1800 672 758.
Email: DECD.Schoolcard@sa.gov.au
