Parents in Canberra will be able to claim half the costs of their children’s school uniforms thanks to an expansion of the Gillard Government’s Education Tax Refund scheme.
Senator for the ACT Kate Lundy, Labor Candidate for Canberra, Gai Brodtmann and Labor Candidate for Fraser, Andrew Leigh welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement today that the scheme would now include school uniforms.
This important announcement will give families up to $779 per child each year. It will help with the costs of sending kids to school.
“Many families in Canberra who are doing it tough will find this a huge help. It is especially important for families with more than one child who face costs for new and replacement uniforms” said Gai Brodtmann.
“The Gillard Government is committed to making the cost of getting a good education as affordable as possible. Labor is taking practical steps to help parents give their kids the best education,” said Gai Brodtmann.
“Uniforms are an expensive part of sending kids to school. This change, combined with the existing refund for computers, textbooks, and trade tools for high school trade courses, will help families with that cost”, said Andrew Leigh
Parents will be able to claim up to 50 per cent of the cost of uniforms in addition to the existing education expenses included, currently up to $390 per child each year for primary school students or $779 per child for those in secondary school.
“I am proud the Gillard Government will provide this relief to family budgets while still ensuring we return the budget to surplus by 2013”, said Andrew Leigh.
Background
- To be eligible, school uniforms would need to be approved by the school but not necessarily mandatory for the child to wear.
- The new eligible items would be available for expenses incurred during the 2011-12 financial year and the tax refund would be paid in the 2012-13 financial year.
- Parents or guardians entitled to Family Tax Benefit Part A for one or more children in school are eligible for the refund.
- Parents are also eligible if their child receives another payment, such as Youth Allowance, Disability Support Pension or ABSTUDY Living Allowance, but would otherwise be eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A.
