ONE of the major items highlighted in the State Budget was the Victorian Government throwing a lifeline to families with school children, with a once off bonus.

With the rising cost of living, the added costs of school uniforms, camps, sports adds up and the School Saving Bonus will provide $400 in support for every child at government schools, and eligible concession card holders at non-government schools.

The bonuses are part of a $287 million package delivered through schools, and will help up to 700,000 students with uniforms, camps, excursions and sporting events at school – with the intention of making sure no child will be disadvantaged with school activities due to financial stress.

The once-off Bonus will be applied for each child but can be spent per family - so a family with three school children will receive $1,200 in support to spend on school costs.

Support will be provided in two ways: a credit towards the cost of participating in activities in school, and vouchers for parents to help with purchasing school uniforms.

The Bonus will be provided during Term 4 of this year, making sure families have time to plan and budget for the 2025 school year ahead; more guidance will be provided to families in Term 3.

The government said the School Saving Bonus will build on existing means-tested support for families doing it tough with school costs - and will be applied on top of those measures for families eligible for other support.

Premier, Jacinta Allan said the School Saving Bonus sits at the heart of a plan to ease cost-of-living pressures for families right across the state.

“We won’t let any child miss out on the things that make Victorian education great,” she said.

“We’re giving families the flexibility to use the School Saving Bonus on the things they need – from sports to camps, excursions and uniforms.”