30-06-2025
Families have four days to claim student assistance payments, no plans for reallocation of leftover funds
With only a few days left to claim the student assistance payment, the Education Minister has ruled out using any leftover funds to boost other cost-of-living supports that were slashed in the recent Budget.
With uptake of the payments already beating last year, Sabine Winton said there might not be anything leftover from the $89 million that was budgeted.
'We're tracking pretty well so, you know, in a perfect world I hope I don't have to have that problem,' she said.
While delivering on an $8 million election promise to subsidise travel costs for students to compete at Country Week, Ms Winton said she would look to direct any excess money to 'targeted initiatives in schools'.
She rejected claims that reducing Kidsport vouchers back from $500 to $300, and a $180 reduction to a uniform allowance for low-income families, amounted to cost-of-living cuts.
'There was additional one-off extra money given last year,' she said.
'If you just contemplate the young people behind us, some may be accessing the clothing assistance payment.
'They're also getting $250 through the WA student assistance payment and also $500 as part of the Country Week assistance payment, so the cost of living supports being offered to students is quite significant.'
Families have until the end of Term 2 on July 4 to claim the student assistance payment.
An uptake rate of 82 per cent in metropolitan Perth and 76 per cent in regional areas has already beaten last year's rats, with digital kiosks and internet dongles supplied to ensure people in remote communities can access it.
'I strongly encourage all families to submit their claims as soon as possible so they don't miss out,' Ms Winton said.
