STAS provides assistance to eligible families by waiving levies for students. It applies to students enrolled in a school from kindergarten through to year 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
STAS is not a direct payment, but means you won’t have to pay the levy charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have a current concession card as listed below, you can apply for dependent students for assistance under the STAS:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Note: Parents\/guardians must have a concession card<\/strong>. STAS does not apply to a student’s concession card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n STAS does not apply to students in home education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The school decides on financial assistance based on STAS eligibility. Parents must discuss their financial assistance eligibility directly with the school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Catholic sector schools directly assess eligibility for assistance to families. Queries for assistance must be directed to the school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n STAS is available to grandparents who are legally responsible for their grandchildren. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Grandparents must complete a STAS Application. Evidence of care\/guardianship will be confirmed against school records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students in out of home care are automatically approved for STAS and a STAS application does not need to be completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students under 18 years of age who are generally supporting themselves, and meet the Centrelink independence criteria must complete an application form at their college and provide evidence of their independent status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students in regular, paid employment which is directly associated with their course (e.g. apprenticeships and traineeships) are not eligible for STAS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Parents\/guardian applying for STAS must be residents of Tasmania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n International students are to seek advice from Government Education and Training International<\/a> in relation to tuition fees and levies<\/p>\n\n\n\n Humanitarian, refugee, and asylum seeker visa holders, including those on relevant bridging visas, are eligible for STAS.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n If you are eligible, you can apply for the Student Assistance Scheme online.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Our staff will keep your questions completely confidential. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These matters will also be dealt with directly with you and not through your child. Your child\u2019s participation in learning will not be affected.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Student Accommodation Allowance (SAA) provides financial assistance to students in Years 11 and 12 who must live away from their usual Tasmanian home in order to attend a registered Government or Non Government school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students are eligible if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students are not<\/strong> eligible if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The allowance is not means tested. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Special provisions apply for students from the Bass Strait Islands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A satisfactory attendance record is required in all enrolled subjects. Otherwise, the available benefit may be reduced or stopped. <\/p>\n\n\n\n SAA is $1,472 for full-time students who study for the full academic year. Payments of $736 are made twice per year to the applicant\u2019s nominated bank account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Part-time students receive a pro-rata SAA based on the length of their course and their level of enrolment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The allowance is limited to a maximum of two years, unless special circumstances exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eligible applicants must complete a SAA application form<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Application forms are also available by contacting the Financial Assistance Team on 1800 827 055. You have to submit an application form for each school year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information and assistance in applying for the SAA, call the Financial Assistance Team on 1800 827 055 or email stas@decyp.tas.gov.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n The Spectacles Assistance Scheme helps low-income families buy glasses from participating optometrists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eligible students must be enrolled in either:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Their parents must hold either:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students in out of home care are automatically eligible for spectacles assistance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Assistance is also available to grandparents who are legally responsible for their grandchildren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For approved applicants, we will pay for one pair of standard prescribed lenses and standard frames. You will only receive this assistant once a year unless special circumstance apply (i.e. a prescription change).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Optometrists submit an invoice for the cost of spectacles and lenses directly to DECYP. If anything, other than standard frames and lenses are selected, you will have to pay the additional cost directly to the optometrist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Application forms are available from optometrists participating in the scheme. Make sure your optometrist is participating in the scheme before your appointment. Phone 1800 827 055 for details of participating optometrists.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n The School Uniform Exceptional Assistance Scheme provides financial assistance towards the cost of school uniforms for students in exceptional or extenuating family circumstances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n School Social Workers can be contacted for more information on this scheme.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n If you are eligible, your child can receive free childcare in their year before kindergarten. Find out the requirements and how to apply.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n If you are a young person with care responsibilities for a family member, support is available.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n The Department of State Growth offers discounted bus fares (Child Student Fares) to students who are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your child is eligible, they may also be entitled to free bus travel between their home and school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Student fares and ticketing is detailed on State Growth\u2019s Transport Services website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n The Tasmanian Government\u2019s Ticket to Play initiative provides two vouchers worth up to $100 each towards club membership fees for children aged 5-18 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Children are eligible if they are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The vouchers can be used at two different activity providers, or both can be used at one activity provider. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information, visit the Ticket To Play<\/a> website or email tickettoplay@sportrec.tas.gov.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n There are several types of financial assistance available from the Australian Government. They are subject to eligibility criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The types of allowances available are listed on the Services Australia website<\/a>. For further information, call Service Australia\u2019s Youth and Student Services on 13 24 90.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nMore STAS eligibility conditions (please check before applying)<\/h3>
Home education<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Registered non-Government (independent) schools<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Catholic sector schools<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Grandparents caring for grandchildren<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Students in out of home care<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Independent students<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Students in employment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Parents living interstate<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
International students <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Humanitarian, refugee and asylum seeker visa holders<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
Are you in financial hardship, but not eligible for STAS?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
More financial assistance programs we offer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Student Accommodation Allowance<\/h3>
\n
\n
Payment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
How to apply<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Spectacles Assistance Scheme<\/h3>
\n
\n
Payment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
How to apply<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
School Uniform Exceptional Assistance Scheme<\/h3>
\n
\n
Tasmanian Government programs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bus fares<\/h3>
\n
Sports and recreation<\/h3>
\n
Australian Government programs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Services Australia<\/h3>