Education Maintenance Allowance

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is provided to assist eligible families with the costs associated with the education of their children.

To be eligible for receipt of the EMA you must:

- be either a parent or guardian of a primary or secondary school student up to the age of sixteen; and

- be an eligible beneficiary of a Centrelink pension, allowance or benefit within the meaning of the State Concessions Act 2004 or be a Veterans Affairs (TPI) pensioner or be a foster parent.

Consequently parents/guardians are able to access the EMA if they have a valid Health Care Card or valid Pension Card.

The eligibility criteria must be met as at the first day of Term 1 (28 January 2009 which is the first day for teaching staff) and Term 3 (13 July 2009). The EMA application must be submitted to the school by 27 February 2009 for the first instalment and 7 August 2009 for the second instalment.

The EMA provides an annual amount of $221 for primary students and is paid in two instalments. This amount is split evenly between the parents/guardians and the school.

New EMA payment option for 2009

Commencing in 2009, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development will introduce a new payment option for the payment of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) to parents.

Under the new system, eligible parents will have the option to receive the 50% parent portion of the EMA payment directly into the parent's nominated bank account, or as a cheque payment.

The 2009 EMA application form includes a section for you to nominate whether you would like your EMA payment to be made to your own bank account or to receive your payment as a cheque (which is the current arrangement). The banking details required will include the BSB code and the account number.

PAYMENT AMOUNTS

Instalment Portion Primary school*

Instalment One Parent $ 77.35 School $ 77.35

Instalment Two Parent $ 33.15 School $ 33.15

Total $ 221

Parents with continuing eligibility, who are paid the first instalment of 2009 through this school will not be required to complete a new application for the second instalment. Parents who transfer children to another school after 27 February 2009 and prior to or on 7 August 2009, must reapply at the new school for the second instalment.

EMA application forms are available from the school office.