The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is provided to assist eligible families with the costs associated with the education of their children.

To be eligible for receipt of the EMA you must:

• be either a parent or guardian of a primary or secondary school student up to the age of sixteen; and
• be an eligible beneficiary of a Centrelink pension, allowance or benefit within the meaning of the State Concessions Act 2004 or be a Veterans Affairs (TPI) pensioner or be a foster parent.

Consequently parents/guardians are able to access the EMA if they have a valid Health Care Card or valid Pension Card.

The eligibility criteria must be met as at the first day of Term 3.

The EMA application must be submitted to the school by 28 February 2011 for the first instalment and 5 August 2011 for the second instalment.

The EMA provides an annual amount of $230 for primary students and $460 for secondary students and is paid in two instalments. This amount is split evenly between the parents/guardians and the school. Students turning 16 years in 2011 will be paid on a pro rata basis.

Payment Amounts

Instalment	Portion	Primary school*	Secondary school*
One	Parent	$  80.50	$  161.00
	School	$  80.50	$  161.00
Two	Parent	$  34.50	$  69.00
	School	$  34.50	$  69.00
	Total	$  230.00	$  460.00

 *Student year level (or age for ungraded and special school students) will form the basis for calculating the amount payable to parents and schools.

Parents with continuing eligibility, who are paid the first instalment of 2011 through this school will not be required to complete a new application for the second instalment.  Parents who transfer children to another school prior to or on 5 August 2011, must reapply at the new school for the second instalment.

Contact: Sandra Leerson at Reception on (03) 5721 6322. for application form and further information.