School Card scheme
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 (materials and services charges) are less than the School Card subsidy, the scheme can also help with other educational expenses such as uniform and camp/excursion costs.
For students at non-government schools, parents are encouraged to 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.
Choose the form below that is most appropriate to your circumstances. If you need help completing the form, talk to your school or phone the School Card section on 1800 672 758 (free call).
Income audit
This form is suitable for most low-income students and families. Use this form if:
- your combined gross income is within the income limit
- your combined gross income is generated solely from a salary or Centrelink benefits
- neither parent is self-employed
- the child was born after 1 July 1997.
Form A: income audit – paper version
Hardship, change of circumstances or self-employment
This form is for people who:
- have a gross income above the School Card income limit but have experienced hardship due to extraordinary or unavoidable expenses - eg medical or funeral costs
- experienced a significant change of financial circumstances from the 1 July last year to until end of February this year - eg unemployment
- are self-employed and the family gross income is within the income limit.
Form B: hardship/change of circumstances or self-employment
Foster parents and guardians
These forms are for:
- foster (informal and formal care agreement) applicants who are the guardians of one or more students
- grandparents who are the guardians of their grandchildren.
Form F: informal and formal care agreement – government students
Form F: informal and formal care/guardianship – non-government students
Migrants and new arrivals
This form is for:
- newly arrived migrants who arrived in Australia after 1 July 2016
- applicants who have exited a detention centre after 1 July 2016
- families with a combined gross income that is within the income limit.
Newly arrived migrant may need to contact the School Card Section on 1800 672 758 to discuss their visa class.
Form M: migrants and new arrivals
Adult re-entry students
This form is for adult re-entry students:
- undertaking only Department for Education funded subjects
- with a combined family gross income within the income limit.
Form S: adult re-entry students on low income
Veterans
Complete this form if you or your partner:
- receive a benefit from the Department of Veterans' Affairs
- have a total gross income within the income limit.
Students living away from home and receiving youth allowance
This form is for students who at the end of February this year:
- are living away from their parents
- have a total gross income within the income limit
- are receiving the Independent Youth Allowance or Independent Disability Support Pension.
Form Y: students living away from home and receiving youth allowance or disability support
Reassessment
For applicants to request their application be reassessed after receiving a 'no' for School Card assistance for the 2018 school year.
Income limits
The tables below list the income limits for applications lodged in 2018 – based on the family's gross income in 2016/2017.
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 School Card income limit | Gross weekly School Card income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $57,870 | $1,113 |
| 2 children | $58,903 | $1,133 |
| 3 children | $59,936 | $1,153 |
| 4 children | $60,969 | $1,173 |
| 5 children | $62,002 | $1,193 |
| More than five children | Add $1,033 for each dependent child | Add $20 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 School Card income limit | Gross weekly School Card income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $37,870 | $728 |
| 2 children | $38,903 | $748 |
| 3 children | $39,936 | $768 |
| 4 children | $40,969 | $788 |
| 5 children | $42,002 | $808 |
| More than five children | Add $1,033 for each dependent child | Add $20 for each dependent child |
Catholic schools
| Number of dependent children | Gross annual School Card income limit | Gross weekly School Card income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $57,870 | $1,113 |
| 2 children | $58,903 | $1,133 |
| 3 children | $59,936 | $1,153 |
| 4 children | $60,969 | $1,173 |
| 5 children | $62,002 | $1,193 |
| More than five children | Add $1,033 for each dependent child | Add $20 for each dependent child |
Related information
On this site
Payments and financial support schemes
Scholarships
Travel concession and allowances
Grants
Other websites
Students or trainees - Centrelink
Payments and services - 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
