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一年一次
Back to School Allowance
Who is eligible?
The Back to School Allowance is to assist families with the cost of students starting school or getting their children back to school at the start of the school year.
Each school child enrolled in Kindergarten to Year 12 in Term 1, is eligible for the $50 allowance each year. Students enrolling after Term 1 are not eligible for the allowance in that year.
When will the Allowance be paid?
For 2008, the first round of cheques are issued in mid January for students in Years 1 to 10. The information used to produce cheques is based on those students enrolled in NSW schools on 30 October of the previous year.
Another round of cheques will be posted in the second week of February for students in Kindergarten and Years 11 and 12. The information used to generate these cheques is based on students enrolled at the commencement of Term 1, 2008.
What information does the Department collect?
We collect the minimum amount of student and family information needed to send an allowance cheque to each family. This does not include telephone numbers or any family information other than the name and address of the student's parent or guardian. Student information collected includes name, sex, date of birth, date of enrolment, school year and previous school.
How can I ensure my information isn't made available to others?
Strict data security measures are in place to ensure that only persons authorised by the Department have access to your information. No information will be given to anyone over the telephone. Privacy laws prevent the Department from using the data for any purpose other than payment of the Allowance, unless required by law.
If you lose or damage your cheque
You should contact the Back to School Allowance Help Line by telephone on 1300 656 056. After confirming your details on the database the operator will arrange for the original cheque to be stopped and a new cheque to be issued.
What if the cheque is made out in the wrong name?
The cheque is marked “not negotiable” and “account payee only” so it cannot be deposited unless it is made out in the correct name. The cheque should be returned to your child's school so the principal can certify the change of name. The cheque together with a Change Student Information Form signed by the principal and showing the correct name details should be returned by the school to the Department's Reply Paid address. A new cheque will be issued upon receipt of this revised information.
Will the Allowance affect any Austudy payments?
No. This Allowance does not affect Austudy or any other allowances that you may be receiving.
Do I have to declare the Back-to-School Allowance in my Income Tax return?
No. The Australian Tax Office advises that the Allowance is not considered income for tax purposes.
My children are educated at home. Are they eligible for the Allowance?
Yes. Children aged six to 15 years who are registered with the Office of the Board of Studies as Home Schoolers are eligible for the Allowance. Parents must complete a Back to School Allowance Claim Form for Students Educated at Home. This form is usually sent to parents/caregivers of registered home schoolers in December, based on information provided by the Office of the Board of Studies. For school aged children younger than six and older than 15 who are being educated at home, parents must also complete this form. This is available by telephoning 1300 656 056. |
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