WA Secondary Assistance Scheme - $350 a Year per Secondary Student
This page is a direct rule-based guide for AU_WA_SECONDARY_ASSISTANCE_SCHEME (rule version 2025-26, effective 1 July 2025). It explains the WA Secondary Assistance Scheme, which pays $350 a year for each eligible public-school student in Years 7 to 12.
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Quick Answer
You may qualify if you live in Western Australia, have dependent children, and hold a concession card. In the questionnaire it is reached when state = WA, dependent_children = true and concession_card_type is a qualifying card.
This is a cash benefit of $350 per student per year, made up of a $235 Education Program Allowance and a $115 Clothing Allowance, for each child in Years 7 to 12 at a WA public school.
Outcome summary: a yearly payment that helps cover school costs and uniforms, paid per student, so families with more than one secondary child receive it for each of them.
What Is This Payment?
The Secondary Assistance Scheme is run by the Western Australian Department of Education. It helps lower-income families with the cost of secondary schooling at public schools.
The rule database tags it as a Group A benefit with monetary_primary as its result role, meaning the questionnaire can estimate a specific dollar amount for you based on the YAML rule.
The $350 per student is split into a $235 Education Program Allowance, which goes towards school charges and contributions, and a $115 Clothing Allowance, which helps with uniforms. The amounts accumulate by the number of eligible children you have.
How Much Can You Get?
The amount block is fixed at $350 per eligible student for the financial_year.
- $235 Education Program Allowance towards school charges and contributions.
- $115 Clothing Allowance towards school uniforms.
- $350 total per secondary student per year, added up across all your eligible children in Years 7 to 12.
Eligibility Conditions
The eligibility block is an all set, so every condition must pass.
- Western Australian resident:
state = WA. The scheme covers students at WA public schools. - Has dependent children:
dependent_children = true, with a child in Years 7 to 12 at a public school. - Holds a qualifying concession card:
concession_card_typeis a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card or DVA Gold Card.
You must hold the qualifying card on the relevant date set by the Department of Education each year, and the student must be enrolled in Years 7 to 12 at a participating public school.
Because the allowance is paid per student, a family with two or three secondary children at public school receives the $350 for each of them, which can add up to a meaningful annual amount.
How To Apply
The channel is through your child's school, and you must provide your concession card.
- Collect or download the Secondary Assistance Scheme application form from your child's public school.
- Provide your concession card details as evidence.
- Return the form to the school by the closing date each year, usually early in the school year.
Rule-Based Scenarios
Scenario 1: one secondary student
Fatima holds a Health Care Card and her daughter is in Year 9 at a public school. She receives $350 for the year - $235 towards school charges and $115 towards the uniform.
Scenario 2: two secondary students
The Nguyen family holds a Pensioner Concession Card and has two children in Years 7 and 11. They receive $350 for each child, $700 in total for the year.
Scenario 3: a DVA Gold Card family
Karen holds a DVA Gold Card and her son is in Year 12. She applies through the school and receives the $350 allowance for his final year.
Scenario 4: a primary school child
Sam holds a Health Care Card but his child is in Year 4. The Secondary Assistance Scheme does not apply, because it covers Years 7 to 12 only.
Common Mistakes
- Missing the school deadline: applications are made through the school by a closing date each year, usually early in the year.
- Assuming primary students are covered: the scheme is for secondary students in Years 7 to 12 only.
- Applying without a concession card: you must hold a qualifying concession card on the relevant date.
- Forgetting it is per student: claim for each eligible child, as the $350 is paid for every secondary student.
- Only claiming the education allowance: the $350 is the combined education and clothing allowance - make sure both are included.
- Thinking it applies to private schools: the scheme is for students at WA public schools.
Related Benefits
- WA Lower fees, local skills - fee-free and low-fee TAFE for students and apprentices.
- WA Student Travel Subsidy Scheme - travel help for geographically isolated students.
- WA Social Housing - public and community housing for low-income households.
- WA State Concession Card - access to WA concessions for eligible residents.
- Health Care Card - federal card that helps unlock state concessions.
- Family Tax Benefit Part A - federal payment for families with teenage children.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the WA Secondary Assistance Scheme?
$350 a year per eligible student, made up of a $235 Education Program Allowance and a $115 Clothing Allowance.
Which year levels are covered?
Students in Years 7 to 12 at a Western Australian public school.
Do I get it for each of my children?
Yes. The $350 is paid per eligible secondary student, so it accumulates across all your eligible children.
Which concession cards qualify?
A Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card or DVA Gold Card.
How do I apply?
Through your child's public school. Complete the application form, provide your concession card details, and return it by the closing date.
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