Financial Support FAQs
This page brings together all the most common finance related questions in one place.
- Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) is a Centrelink financial support paid per term for parents and carers of children, who can’t go to a local government school because of geographical isolation, disability or other medical health need.
- It is available to some home educators both with QHE and a DE school, but it is not a ‘homeschool payment’.
- In most cases related to your child having a disability or anxiety, you will need a medical professional to fill in a portion of the forms to show that the child cannot attend school (20 days or more) due to their condition, or that the home education environment is better for the child.
- More details, and application forms are here
- Eligibility will depend on your child's condition and their inability to attend school.
- Full QHE registration (not provisional) or enrolment in a DE school is required.
- The Geographic location isolation AIC is income means tested, the medical needs AIC is not based on income.
- In addition to the initial eligibility criteria, ongoing receipt of the AIC payment requires annual evidence of continuing registration or enrolment in a DE school.
- A renewal form is sent in October each year to check eligibility, and may have instructions for an updated medical form (if applicable).
- Not all home educated children will be eligible for this payment.
- See Centrelink website for detailed information about eligibility and how to submit claims. Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme - Services Australia
- A parent/guardian needs to fill out the claim form (SY040) – Claim for Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) form (SY040) - Services Australia
- You may also require a Medical Statement – Student Special Needs form which must be completed by a medical practitioner/specialist. (SY099) – Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) medical statement - Student special needs form (SY099) - Services Australia
- Any additional forms required will be determined as by the reasoning for home educating.
- To claim AIC for any calendar year, your form must be submitted by the 1st March the following year
- For example: if you’re claiming for 2024 you can submit a claim before, during or after that school year. You need to submit a claim for 2024 by 1 March 2025.
- You may be back paid depending on when you registered or enrolled, and when you submitted the form.
- Upload your form as a ‘document’ in your Centrelink app. Phone the AIC line in a few days to check this has been received and actioned.
- The best source of information is the dedicated AIC helpline on 132 318.
- This line is less busy than usual Centrelink services, and the staff have been remarkably helpful and will take the time to help you answer all questions.
- The Home Education Network have a page to help to fill in the forms here: https://home-ed.vic.edu.au/assistance-for-isolated-children/
Registered Queensland home education families with primary school-aged children may be eligible for the Queensland Government’s Back to School Boost payment. The payment is $100 in 2026 and $150 in 2027.
Important: If your child was previously enrolled in a school before becoming registered for home education, check whether the payment was made to the school. If it was, contact the school to arrange for the funds to be refunded to you if appropriate.
More information:
https://www.qld.gov.au/backtoschool/boost or https://education.qld.gov.au/about-us/budgets-funding-grants/grants/state-schools/core-funding/back-to-school-boost
Registered Queensland home education students may be eligible for the Textbook and Resource Allowance. Eligibility is based on your child’s age and year-level equivalent.
Current allowance categories are:
- Years 7–10 ($164)
- Years 11–12 ($357)
Applications are managed through Queensland Home Education (QHE). Eligible families generally receive an email around March each year with application information.
If your child is newly registered for home education later in the year, contact Queensland Home Education directly to enquire about applying.
More information is available at https://education.qld.gov.au/about-us/budgets-funding-grants/grants/parents-and-students/textbook-resource-allowance
The Queensland Government provides a subsidy of up to $150 per eligible student for curriculum-linked place-based learning excursions through two programs:
Great Barrier Reef Education Experience Program (GBREEP)
Supports excursions to the Great Barrier Reef between Bundaberg and Cooktown, including at least one curriculum-linked reef activity delivered by a registered reef tourism operator.
Outback Queensland Education Experience Program (OQEEP)
Supports excursions that help students explore the history, heritage, culture and communities of Outback Queensland.
Who can apply?
Registered Queensland home education families are eligible to apply, regardless of where they live in Queensland.
Read more about the program:
https://www.detsi.qld.gov.au/tourism/funding-grants/current/experience-programs-education
Or apply through SmartyGrants at https://ditidtourism.smartygrants.com.au/EducationExperienceProgram
- Jobseeker
- Family Tax Benefit
- Parenting Payment
- Carer Payment - Services Australia
- Carer Allowance - Services Australia
- Assistance for Isolated Children grant (AIC) - see more details below
Families who are registered with the QHE and receive the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme under the geographical isolation category may be eligible for discounted access to the Sky Muster satellite service through the Education Port.
Contact a participating Sky Muster provider to find out about eligibility and available plans.
The Queensland Government’s Play On! program helps eligible children aged 5 to 17 participate in sport and active recreation by contributing towards membership, registration or participation fees.
Eligible families can receive one voucher per child each calendar year, helping children stay active and connected with their local community.
Check the current eligibility requirements and application details at https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/playon.
Saver Plus is a free community program that helps eligible families build savings for education expenses.
Eligible home educating families may receive up to $500 towards educational costs. The funds can be used in the way that best supports your child’s learning, including purchasing second-hand educational resources.
To be eligible, you generally need to:
- hold a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card
- receive an eligible Centrelink payment (including Family Tax Benefit Parts A or B)
- be studying yourself, or have a child who is studying (home education is eligible)
- receive some income from work, including casual or informal work, child support or a partner’s income.
Visit the Saver Plus website for current eligibility information and application details.
The ICT Subsidy Scheme assists eligible families with students enrolled in a Queensland State School of Distance Education by helping offset the cost of technology and internet access.
Funding rounds are held in March and September each year.
Eligible students may receive:
- a hardware subsidy of up to $400 for students in the geographical isolation or medical categories
- an internet subsidy of up to $500 for students in the geographical isolation category.
State Schools of Distance Education will contact eligible families during each funding round.
Australian Homeschool Grants Program
The Australian Homeschool Grants Program is an independent annual grant program that provides financial assistance to home educating families experiencing financial hardship.
The program aims to help with educational expenses and ease some of the financial pressures that families may face while home educating.
For more information or to enquire about applications, contact:
australianhomeschoolgrants@gmail.com