About 700,000 families in Victoria are getting a big help. A new plan called the ‘School Saving Bonus’ will give them a single payment of $400. This is to help with school costs. Premier Jacinta Allan and Education Minister Ben Carroll want all kids to have the things they need for school, from the start to Year 12.
Major Highlights
- The $400 School Saving Bonus will help parents and carers of Victorian government school students. It’s for kids from Prep to Year 12 in 2025.
- If you have more than one kid in school, you’ll get an email. It will have a $400 code for each child you have enrolled.
- The bonus can be used for things like uniforms, books, camps, and trips until June 30, 2025.
- Parents can spend this money online or at certain stores. They can also help other kids who need it.
- Students in private schools who got Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) money in 2024 can also get this bonus.
One-off $400 Payment
The one-off $400 payment is known as the School Saving Bonus. It’s an educational help plan set up by the Victorian Government. It’s made to lessen the financial burden on families for school costs.
To understand the $400 one-off payment is vital. It ensures every child can fully join in school activities. It makes sure kids have the educational things they need without money worries.
This $400 one-time payment aims to offer significant support to students. It gives benefits that help with student welfare in a big way. The details of the one-off $400 payment show how the Victorian Government wants to better use money. This helps with things like stationery, textbooks, uniforms, and extra activities.
The $400 one-off payment is part of bigger efforts to help students. It shows the Victorian Government’s promise. They want all kids to get a good education no matter their background. This plan helps reduce money worries. It also boosts learning and involvement by removing money barriers.
To give a quick summary:
Key Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Payment Amount | $400 |
Purpose | Educational Assistance |
Target Group | School Students |
Administering Body | Victorian Government |
Benefits | Enhanced Access to Educational Resources |
Eligibility Criteria for the One-off $400 Payment
The one-off payment $400 is for Victorian students in schooling. It helps meet their financial eligibility. It reduces the educational cost burden on families.
Government School Students
In 2025, Victorian government school students from Prep to Year 12 can get the School Saving Bonus. It doesn’t cover full-fee international, home-schooled, or TAFE students. No separate application is needed as school records show eligibility.

Non-Government School Students
Victorian non-government school students can also get the School Saving Bonus. They must qualify for the Camps, Sports, and Excursions Fund (CSEF) in 2024. No need for a separate application. Eligibility uses existing records, making it easy for families.
How to Access and Use the One-off $400 Payment
The Victorian Government is offering a one-off $400 School Saving Bonus. It’s to help families with school costs. Here’s a step-by-step guide on getting and using the $400 one-off payment.
Receiving the Payment
Qualified families will get an email with a special code for the $400 payment. This code is used to enter the School Saving Bonus online. Once they sign in, families can look after their money with ease.

Allocating the Payment
With the $400, families can pay for different school needs. They can buy uniforms, textbooks, or pay for school activities. They can handle this spending easily online, making life simpler.
Combining and Transferring Funds
If you have more than one child, you can put their $400 bonuses together. This is great for bigger costs like school trips. You can also move the money between kids or schools, making the most of it. This way, every child gets what they need.
By knowing how to use the $400 bonus, families can help their kids with school. And, they can ease their money worries a bit.
Additional Supports and Resources
Families facing tough times can find extra help beyond the $400 one-off aid. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides means-tested help. It offers financial support for school activities and trips. The Affordable School Uniforms Program, run by State Schools’ Relief, makes sure kids get the uniforms they need without adding financial stress on families with low incomes.
Over in Far West NSW, there are more resources for kids’ education. Places like Broken Hill and Central Darling have access to the Power Outage Support Grant. Residents and businesses can get a $200 one-off payment. Small to medium business owners can get a $400 one-off grant. This helps both education and business stay stable. All these grants can be easily applied for via the Service NSW app or website.
To add more financial help, there’s ongoing support like the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Allowance. This gives up to 13 weeks of income support for those who’ve lost money because of storms and outages. Families should look at official school and government websites for all the details. These resources help financially, but they also offer support for mental health, job advice, and practical help. This means a well-rounded approach to helping the community and supporting education.