State Schools’ Relief (SSR)
Available for children at public schools only. Accessed via the principal or wellbeing coordinator/chaplain only.
Includes: Uniforms, graphing calculators and steel capped work boots for senior students.
Uniforms
The SSR program provides: uniforms, sports uniforms, socks, underwear and foot wear to children who are primary or secondary students attending public schools and whose families may be experiencing disadvantage and are unable to afford to pay for those items themselves. There is no criteria for this program and a concession card is not required. www.ssr.net.au/schools
The Sustainable School Shop
Buy and sell second hand uniforms, calculators, musical instruments, sports gear, uni books and more. https://www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au/
Text books
Families looking for second hand text books can down load clk2sell, a smart phone app to buy and sell preloved uniforms, musical instruments and text books. For more information visit http://www.clk2sell.com/
Calculators
SSR now provides graphing calculators for senior students completing science, math, technology and engineering. Applications made via school welfare team online www.ssr.net.au/schools
Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) is means tested or available to concession card holders to help families cover the costs of camps etc . It is paid to the school and you apply via a form to the school that can be downloaded via www.education.vic.gov.au/csef . This funding will be available in 2018 and is $125.00 for primary students and $225 for secondary school children.
Artists for Kids Culture (AFKC)
Artists for Kids Culture provide funds for children aged from 5 years -18 years. Funds are provided for those experiencing hardship for: music, sport, art, cultural activities, camps and personal development. Scholarships are also available. Further info available here www.akc.org.au .
The Smith Family
The Smith Family is an Australian, independent non-profit children's charity whose goal is to create opportunities for disadvantaged children and their families and encourage them to participate more fully in society, using education as a key tool. www.thesmithfamily.com.au
NILS Loan
There is a NILS interest free loan scheme for half yearly and yearly students to assist with school needs such as materials and travel for secondary students via Travellers Aid. You need to phone them on Ph 03 9 654 2600. www.travellersaid.org.au
Step up loan
The Step Up loan is a low interest loan available to those who may not be eligible for finance through banks etc. The applicant most have a current concession card through Centrelink. A credit check is required with this process and the applicant must have lived at the same address for at least 3 months. Available through Good Shepherd and local financial support programs
National Debt Helpline
Free financial counselling. http://www.ndh.org.au/
Information Technology
Schools can do payment plans.
Green PC have affordable computer packages for health care card holders. Computers can be ordered online. Ph 03 9418 7400 www.greenpc.com.au
Family Reconciliation Mediation Program (FRMP)
FRMP have brokerage available for young people 16 years – 25 years for those who are homeless or at risk of Homelessness. The applicant needs to have a case plan that addresses either: family mediation; reconciliation or recovery from family conflict. This brokerage can fund counselling and therapeutic interventions (up to 10 sessions with a psychologist or counsellor etc) and art/music therapy. For more information please see the FRMP website https://www.melbournecitymission.org.au/services/homelessness-justice/young-people-25-years/family-reconciliation-mediation-program-(frmp)/frmp-brokerage
Family Violence Flexible Support Packages
For women and children who may be experiencing family violence. This program requires a case plan, risk assessment and application to the local family violence service. These packages can be done individually for children. The package can fund: childcare, education costs- fees, books, equipment, uniforms, material aid and travel. Contact your closest family violence service and ask for the worker overseeing this program and an application form.
Loddon Mallee Children’s Brokerage Programs (Loddon Mallee Region only)
Only Available through the Loddon Mallee Homelessness Network- Children’s Resource Program through referrals via Specialist Homelessness Services where families are already accessing these services. The Loddon Malee Homelessness Network Children’s Brokerage Program provides assistance for educational and recreational needs for primary and secondary children linked Homeless funded services. See LOMA website for further details http://loma.net.au . This program is managed by Julie Maggs. Referrals through SHS agencies only. JulieM@loma.net.au
Victorian Eyecare Service
For assistance with low cost eye wear. http://www.aco.org.au/eye-care-services/eye-care-in-rural-victoria
The Ardoch Guide
Financial assistance for children
www.ardoch.org.au/publications
Victorian Concessions guide
General financial assistance
https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2017-09/Victorian-concession.pdf
Loddon Mallee Homelessness Network website- funding section
The Loddon Mallee Homelessness Network is made up of Specialist Homelessness Services. The Children’s Resource Program covers the needs of children who may be experiencing homelessness and family violence. For SHS funded agencies only. https://loma.net.au/
Available for children at public schools only. Accessed via the principal or wellbeing coordinator/chaplain only.
Includes: Uniforms, graphing calculators and steel capped work boots for senior students.
Uniforms
The SSR program provides: uniforms, sports uniforms, socks, underwear and foot wear to children who are primary or secondary students attending public schools and whose families may be experiencing disadvantage and are unable to afford to pay for those items themselves. There is no criteria for this program and a concession card is not required. www.ssr.net.au/schools
The Sustainable School Shop
Buy and sell second hand uniforms, calculators, musical instruments, sports gear, uni books and more. https://www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au/
Text books
Families looking for second hand text books can down load clk2sell, a smart phone app to buy and sell preloved uniforms, musical instruments and text books. For more information visit http://www.clk2sell.com/
Calculators
SSR now provides graphing calculators for senior students completing science, math, technology and engineering. Applications made via school welfare team online www.ssr.net.au/schools
Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) is means tested or available to concession card holders to help families cover the costs of camps etc . It is paid to the school and you apply via a form to the school that can be downloaded via www.education.vic.gov.au/csef . This funding will be available in 2018 and is $125.00 for primary students and $225 for secondary school children.
Artists for Kids Culture (AFKC)
Artists for Kids Culture provide funds for children aged from 5 years -18 years. Funds are provided for those experiencing hardship for: music, sport, art, cultural activities, camps and personal development. Scholarships are also available. Further info available here www.akc.org.au .
The Smith Family
The Smith Family is an Australian, independent non-profit children's charity whose goal is to create opportunities for disadvantaged children and their families and encourage them to participate more fully in society, using education as a key tool. www.thesmithfamily.com.au
NILS Loan
There is a NILS interest free loan scheme for half yearly and yearly students to assist with school needs such as materials and travel for secondary students via Travellers Aid. You need to phone them on Ph 03 9 654 2600. www.travellersaid.org.au
Step up loan
The Step Up loan is a low interest loan available to those who may not be eligible for finance through banks etc. The applicant most have a current concession card through Centrelink. A credit check is required with this process and the applicant must have lived at the same address for at least 3 months. Available through Good Shepherd and local financial support programs
National Debt Helpline
Free financial counselling. http://www.ndh.org.au/
Information Technology
Schools can do payment plans.
Green PC have affordable computer packages for health care card holders. Computers can be ordered online. Ph 03 9418 7400 www.greenpc.com.au
Family Reconciliation Mediation Program (FRMP)
FRMP have brokerage available for young people 16 years – 25 years for those who are homeless or at risk of Homelessness. The applicant needs to have a case plan that addresses either: family mediation; reconciliation or recovery from family conflict. This brokerage can fund counselling and therapeutic interventions (up to 10 sessions with a psychologist or counsellor etc) and art/music therapy. For more information please see the FRMP website https://www.melbournecitymission.org.au/services/homelessness-justice/young-people-25-years/family-reconciliation-mediation-program-(frmp)/frmp-brokerage
Family Violence Flexible Support Packages
For women and children who may be experiencing family violence. This program requires a case plan, risk assessment and application to the local family violence service. These packages can be done individually for children. The package can fund: childcare, education costs- fees, books, equipment, uniforms, material aid and travel. Contact your closest family violence service and ask for the worker overseeing this program and an application form.
Loddon Mallee Children’s Brokerage Programs (Loddon Mallee Region only)
Only Available through the Loddon Mallee Homelessness Network- Children’s Resource Program through referrals via Specialist Homelessness Services where families are already accessing these services. The Loddon Malee Homelessness Network Children’s Brokerage Program provides assistance for educational and recreational needs for primary and secondary children linked Homeless funded services. See LOMA website for further details http://loma.net.au . This program is managed by Julie Maggs. Referrals through SHS agencies only. JulieM@loma.net.au
Victorian Eyecare Service
For assistance with low cost eye wear. http://www.aco.org.au/eye-care-services/eye-care-in-rural-victoria
The Ardoch Guide
Financial assistance for children
www.ardoch.org.au/publications
Victorian Concessions guide
General financial assistance
https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2017-09/Victorian-concession.pdf
Loddon Mallee Homelessness Network website- funding section
The Loddon Mallee Homelessness Network is made up of Specialist Homelessness Services. The Children’s Resource Program covers the needs of children who may be experiencing homelessness and family violence. For SHS funded agencies only. https://loma.net.au/
