Help with the cost of schooling and everyday needs
The Future of Education Equity Fund provides financial support to eligible families, helping students access everyday essentials that assist with their education and wellbeing needs. It supports families with students who are enrolled in years P-12 in ACT schools (including non-government schools) or another approved form of education who meet the eligibility criteria.
Future of Education Equity Fund years P–12
The Future of Education Equity Fund provides a one-off, annual payment to low-income families living in the ACT to help cover the costs of education expenses such as school uniforms, school excursions, sport equipment and activities and music lessons.
The following payments are available to those who meet the eligibility criteria:
- $400 for preschool students
- $500 for primary school students
- $750 for high-school and college students.
Eligibility: who can apply?
Families are eligible to apply for the fund if they, and their dependent students, meet the eligibility criteria. Independent students may also apply.
Criteria
Applicants must:
- live in the ACT
- have sole or shared parental responsibility for a dependent student(s) in grades P-12, or be an independent student
- be financially responsible for the student(s)
- demonstrate low-income status through:
- a current means-tested Health Care Card or Centrelink card, which must list the student(s) as dependents (some payment codes only)
or - other forms of evidence proving low-income status or equivalent financial stress.
- a current means-tested Health Care Card or Centrelink card, which must list the student(s) as dependents (some payment codes only)
You must attach copies of both sides of your Centrelink or Health Care Card if this is the evidence of low-income status that you are submitting with your application. We cannot start assessing your application without this.
Students must be:
- enrolled full-time in a public or non-government school in the ACT in years P-12. For the Equity Fund, a preschool is defined as a preschool that is attached to an ACT school and led by a principal. Only eligible preschools will appear in the application form
- enrolled in an approved form of education other than a school and of an equivalent age to a student in years K–12 – for example, attending the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) or registered for home-schooling in the ACT
- living with the applicant in the ACT, or in special government care that is paid for by the applicant, or be independent.
More information about the evidence requirements for applicants, including proof of low-income status and home address, is in the Equity Fund online application form.
Application/payment processing time
We aim to complete processing and payment of applications within 4 to 6 weeks of the date the completed application was submitted.
2024 school year applications
Applications for the Equity Fund for the 2024 school year are being accepted. The deadline for applications for the 2024 school year is 29 November 2024. Please apply using the application link below.
More information
For assistance or questions, contact the Equity Fund Team at EquityFund@act.gov.au or on 6207 1818.
Meals in Schools pilot
The ACT Government is trialling a Meals in Schools pilot at five ACT public schools starting in term 3, 2024.
Students will have access to free breakfast and lunch up to three days per week for 120 days. The ACT Government believes every child deserves a quality education, and access to adequate nutrition is beneficial to learning and wellbeing. Research indicates that access to meals at school positively impacts learning, understanding of nutrition and contributes to school satisfaction.
The five pilot schools are:
- Gilmore Primary School
- Richardson Primary School
- Narrabundah Early Childhood School
- Gold Creek School (senior campus – years 7 to 10)
- Melba Copland Secondary School (College campus only - years 10 to 12)
The pilot schools were selected based on a range of factors including student enrolments, location, and educational setting to capture a broad representation of ACT public schools.
The Meals in Schools pilot is a collaboration between the Education Directorate and school communities and funded through the Future of Education Equity Fund. There is no intention for the pilot to negatively impact existing school canteens. Each school will keep their community updated on the progress of the Meals in Schools rollout which will commence in term 3, 2024.
For questions or further information about the Meals in Schools pilot please contact mealsinschools@act.gov.au
How were the 5 pilot schools selected?
Schools were selected based on a range of factors including student population, location and educational setting to capture a broad representation of ACT public schools.
Which students will have access to the program?
This is a universal offering to all students at the participating schools.
What do you expect to see from the pilot?
We are expecting to see improved student wellbeing and learning outcomes through the equity of access to nutritious food. Within Australia, similar initiatives have been trialled in Tasmania and Victoria with positive results. In Finland, the United Kingdom and the United States of Australia research has been completed on the impact of access to nutritious food in schools and students’ engagement in learning.
What are other schools who are not taking part in the pilot doing to meet the needs of students? What happens at the end of the pilot? How will families be supported to transition?
Many ACT public schools access funding to implement their own school-based programs such as breakfast clubs, open pantries, etc. Many schools also have existing partnerships which community organisations who provide meals and food boxes to families in need.
What might students learn from this?
Students will have many opportunities to learn about healthy eating and the connections between food, wellbeing, and learning.
Do you factor in dietary requirements of students?
Yes, all student’s dietary requirements will be factored in and accommodated for. Schools have gathered this information from families in their communities to ensure all requirements are identified and met before the pilot commences. These meals will be clearly labelled by the food provider to ensure that these meals are easily identified.
How will you manage quantities to avoid food waste?
The food service provider and schools will implement strategies to reduce food waste throughout the supply chain. This is achieved through exploring options for composting organic waste and recycling packaging materials to minimise the environmental impact. The food service provider will adjust portion sizes and menu offerings based on feedback and will also monitor waste generation levels to identify areas for improvement.
Will students opt in for the service?
The Meals in Schools program will provide meals for all students in the participating schools. Families may choose to opt out of the service for their child/ren. Schools will be supported to help guide families through this process if this occurs.
What is a sample breakfast and lunch meal?
Seasonal menus will be developed each term in consultation with each pilot school and an independent nutrition support service. Some schools currently have breakfast programs in place. The Meals in Schools pilot will not replace these programs – the menu will vary from each school to factor this in.
Meals will include tasty grab and go meals such as yoghurt, fruit and vegetables, frittata, wraps and sandwiches etc. Participating schools will provide their term menu to families.
More than 80% of the menu items are categorised as green against the National Healthy School Canteen Guidelines. These foods provide essential nutrients for students to learn and engage at school.
What happens to the leftovers?
In the instance of leftovers, the school can distribute this to students seeking further food or for families with an identified need. This will be dependent on the shelf life identified by the food service provider and the school’s ability to appropriately store the food until it can be distributed.
Will this pilot run into the 2025 school year?
The Meals in Schools Pilot will run from term 3, 2024 until the end of term 2, 2025.
Are canteens at the pilot schools likely to be impacted?
For those schools that have canteens, they will continue to operate as normal. On the 3 days that the Meals in Schools program will run, it will run alongside any school canteen or breakfast programs already available at the school.
How often will you be assessing the program?
The evaluation of the program will commence in term 3, 2024 and will continue for the duration of the pilot. An evaluation of the wellbeing and learning outcomes will form the basis of whether this program can be enhanced and expanded to a broader number of schools.
Providing students with everyday essentials
All ACT public schools are resourced to help students access everyday essentials. This is part of public education’s important objective of making access to education more equitable for all students, regardless of personal circumstances.
Schools can help students access meals, personal hygiene products including sanitary hygiene items, school uniform items, book packs and stationery, school excursions, camps, transport and enrichment activities.
If you are experiencing a situation that affects your ability to meet the costs of schooling or everyday essentials for your child, we encourage you to talk to us.
Families who are looking for help with the costs of schooling can:
- talk to the school principal or other staff member about their situation
- have a relative, caseworker, friend or advocate make contact on your behalf
- contact the Equity Fund Team at EquityFund@act.gov.au or on 6207 1818