Finance – Home Education QLD Inc

Financial Assistance For Home Educators

There are no government payments because you choose to home educate your child. There are some financial support assistance that you may be eligible for. Home education need not be expensive. You can home educate with:

a library card,
the resources you already have at home,
the free resources available in your community,
an internet connection (highly recommended) as there are many free curriculums and resources online.

Many commercial home education supplies are available and prices vary. The reality is there is no specific cost of home education; it can cost very little, or it can cost thousands of dollars, depending on how you choose to educate.

We advise families to look carefully at materials before making a large investment. Most offer a free trial period, do get your child to try them out. It is unfortunate when families spend a lot of money on a resource, only to discover later that their money could have been better spent.

Registered home education and Distance Education are recognised as a valid form of education and, as such, you may be eligible for a payment if you meet the other eligibility criteria.

About Centrelink Payments:

Centrelink payments for parents and home educators can be a little complicated.
Eligibility is based on various requirements and circumstances – your age, income, relationship status, and the age of the children.
Home education is a valid exemption from the Mutual Obligation Requirements with Job Seeker.
- To have the exemption approved, parents must upload their registration or DE enrolment to their My Gov account.
- Call Centrelink to notify them this has occurred and request the Homeschooling Exemption be applied.
- Centrelink will then assess the evidence to determine eligibility for the exemption.
- Some Centrelink staff are unaware this exemption category exists.
- We advise home educators who are having any difficulties to print off the exemptions information from DHS found here
Payments are not automatic, you need to apply for them through Centrelink here

What Centrelink payments might I be eligible for?

Jobseeker
Family Tax Benefit
Parenting Payment
Carer Payment - Services Australia
Carer Allowance - Services Australia
Assistance for Isolated Children grant (AIC) - see more details below

What is the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC)?

Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) is a Centrelink financial support paid per term for parents and carers of children, who can’t go to a local government school because of geographical isolation, disability or other medical health need.
It is available to some home educators both with HEU and a DE school, but it is not a ‘homeschool payment’.
In most cases related to your child having a disability or anxiety, you will need a medical professional to fill in a portion of the forms to show that the child cannot attend school (20 days or more) due to their condition, or that the home education environment is better for the child.
More details, and application forms are here

Am I eligible for the AIC?

Eligibility will depend on your child's condition and their inability to attend school.
Full HEU registration (not provisional) or enrolment in a DE school is required.
The Geographic location isolation AIC is income means tested, the medical needs AIC is not based on income.
In addition to the initial eligibility criteria, ongoing receipt of the AIC payment requires annual evidence of continuing registration or enrolment in a DE school.
A renewal form is sent in October each year to check eligibility, and may have instructions for an updated medical form (if applicable).
Not all home educated children will be eligible for this payment.
See Centrelink website for detailed information about eligibility and how to submit claims. Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme - Services Australia

Who needs to fill out the AIC forms? Do I need a GP or specialist?

A parent/guardian needs to fill out the claim form (SY040) – Claim for Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) form (SY040) - Services Australia
You may also require a Medical Statement – Student Special Needs form which must be completed by a medical practitioner/specialist. (SY099) – Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) medical statement - Student special needs form (SY099) - Services Australia
Any additional forms required will be determined as by the reasoning for home educating.

When do I need to submit the AIC form?

To claim AIC for any calendar year, your form must be submitted by the 1^st March the following year
- For example: if you’re claiming for 2024 you can submit a claim before, during or after that school year. You need to submit a claim for 2024 by 1 March 2025.
You may be back paid depending on when you registered or enrolled, and when you submitted the form.
Upload your form as a ‘document’ in your Centrelink app. Phone the AIC line in a few days to check this has been received and actioned.

Where can I get help with filling out the AIC form?

The best source of information is the dedicated AIC helpline on 132 318.
This line is less busy than usual Centrelink services, and the staff have been remarkably helpful and will take the time to help you answer all questions.
The Home Education Network have a page to help to fill in the forms here: https://home-ed.vic.edu.au/assistance-for-isolated-children/

What other financial help could I be eligible for?

Textbook and Resource Allowance Scheme: children of highschool age, as based on their DOB, receive approximately $140-$260 cash for textbooks.
- HEU will send the form automatically if your child is eligible.
- There are 2 rounds in the year based on when you registered more details here https://ppr.qed.qld.gov.au/.../textbook-and-resource...
- Some DE schools use the payment and others forward to families.
  - Contact your DE school for more details.
National Broadband Network (NBN): For people registered with HEU and on Geographic isolation AIC.
- Receive access to Sky Muster satellite on the education port for a cheaper price.
- Contact one of the Sky Muster Providers for more details.

FairPlay vouchers help Queensland children aged 5 to 17 participate in sport and active recreation by covering membership, registration, or participation fees.
- From 1 July 2024, up to 200,000 vouchers worth $200 per child will be available, supporting families to get their kids active and involved in their communities.
- Eligible Applicants include:
  - Parents, carers, or guardians of Queensland children aged 5 to 17
  - Families who have children under current eligibility criteria needing financial assistance
- Limit of 1 voucher per child per calendar year more details here FairPlay vouchers | Recreation, sport and arts | Queensland Government
Saver Plus - Home educators are eligible to join Saver Plus.
- A free community program where participants can get up to $500 for their child’s home education costs.
- Funds can be spent as the parent wishes, including second hand purchases – not limited to laptops and textbooks.
- Eligibility criteria includes:
  - Have Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card
  - Have a Centrelink payment – Family Tax Benefit A & B included
  - Be studying yourself or have a child that is studying – home-schooling is eligible
  - Have some money from work – includes informal, child support payments, partner’s work (no minimum requirement)
- More information on the Brotherhood of St Lawrence Website. Saver Plus | Brotherhood of St. Laurence
ICT Subsidy Scheme - In March and September each year, funding for state based Distance Ed Schools
- To assist families with offsetting the cost of computer equipment and internet access for students enrolled in a State School of Distance Education.
- Hardware subsidies ($400) are available to support students who are identified as belonging to geographically isolated or medical categories.
- Internet subsidies ($500) are available to support students who are identified as belonging to the geographically isolated category.
- State Schools of Distance Education will receive an emailed proforma for completion with student details.
- More details here School of Distance Education—ICT Subsidy Scheme
The Australian Homeschool Grants Program
- A yearly offering based on need.
- Aims to offer support with educational expenses to families in need.
- To help lighten the financial burdens currently experienced by many homeschooling families.
- More details email: australianhomeschoolgrants@gmail.com