Coalition Promises to Extend Education Tax Refund to Include School Fees

Media Release, The Hon. Tony Abbott, MP, and the Hon. Christopher Pyne, MP, 21 July 2010; Media Release, The Hon. Wayne Swan, MP, and The Hon. Simon Crean, MP, 21 July 2010; Media Release, Independent Schools Victoria, 21 July 2010

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Tony Abbott, and the Shadow Minister for Education, Mr Christopher Pyne have announced that, if elected, the Coalition would expand the Education Tax Refund, as well as increasing the rebate for eligible families.

After last week’s announcement that the Australian Labor Party would allocate $220 million over four years to allow parents to claim the cost of purchasing school uniforms in their rebate, the Coalition promised to provide $760 million over four years towards extending the rebate system.

Under the Coalition’s proposal, the rebate would increase from the current $390 per primary student and $779 per secondary student to $500 per primary student and $1000 per secondary student.

In addition, Mr Abbott stated that the Coalition would expand the range of eligible expenses to include:

• school fees
• school camps and excursions
• special education costs for children with disabilities, including students with dyslexia
• extra-curricular activities such as music, dance or drama lessons
• tutoring costs
• musical instruments required for lessons
• school photos
• sporting fees and equipment.

Mr Abbott also announced that the rebate would commence on 1 January 2011, rather than the ALP’s promise to start on 1 July 2011. Both the ALP and the Coalition have indicated that the Education Tax Refund will continue to be available only to families that are eligible to receive Family Tax Benefit A.

In response to Mr Abbott’s announcement, Independent Schools Victoria confirmed that eligible recipients would be ‘pleased that the Coalition recognises the financial pressure they are facing as various education costs go up’. Click here to read the Independent Schools Victoria media release.

 

 

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