Education Act 2016

A school student, or a parent of a school student, at a State school may apply to the Secretary for financial assistance in respect of – any charge made under section 138; or any essential materials the student requires to continue his or her education; or any accommodation costs incurred by the student living away from home to continue education after the completion of Year 10.

A person who is entitled to attend TasTAFE under section 96 during a year may apply to the Secretary for financial assistance in respect of – any levy imposed under the TasTAFE (Skills and Training Business) Act 2021 in relation to his or her attendance at TasTAFE during that year; or any essential materials the youth or person requires to continue his or her education and training at TasTAFE during that year; or any accommodation costs incurred by the youth or person living away from home to continue education and training at TasTAFE during that year.

The Secretary may grant financial assistance applied for under subsection (1) or (2) if satisfied that – the income of the applicant or, in an appropriate case, the parent of the applicant is less than an amount the Secretary may determine; or the applicant or, in an appropriate case, the parent of the applicant is a member of a class of persons determined by the Secretary to be entitled to assistance; or in respect of accommodation costs, the normal residence of the student, youth or person attending a school or TasTAFE is at least 40 kilometres from the nearest appropriate school or appropriate campus of TasTAFE.

The Secretary may grant financial assistance under subsection (3) consisting of – a lump sum; or an allowance; or a combination of a lump sum and allowance.

A person who may apply for financial assistance under subsection (1) or (2) also may apply to the Secretary for financial assistance towards the cost of one pair, or in special circumstances more than one pair, of spectacles per year.

The Secretary may grant financial assistance applied for under subsection (5) if satisfied that – the income of the applicant or, in an appropriate case, the applicant's parent is less than an amount the Secretary may determine; and the spectacles are necessary in order for the student, youth or person attending the school or TasTAFE to continue his or her education.

The Secretary may grant financial assistance under subsection (6) consisting of any amount the Secretary determines.