July 2010 The Prime Minister has announced a policy extending the Education Tax Refund to school uniforms. The Education Tax Refund helps families with education costs and currently covers books, stationary, and computer/software items.

Ms. Gillard says that the Government's "experience with the Education Tax Refund is that not all families have claimed it and not all families have claimed the full amount. The full amount at the moment is $390 for primary school students and up to $780 for secondary school students, and that amount is indexed year by year."

"Eligible families are families who receive Family Tax Benefit A. That means that the Education Tax Refund is a benefit for 1.3 million families and around 2.7 million students. I have determined that if the Government is re-elected, we will extend the coverage of the Education Tax Refund to school uniforms."

The Prime Minister believes this new measure is important because uniforms help instil discipline and rigour.

She further explains: "I also believe that having a school uniform helps undercut the kind of unhealthy competition we can see at schools to have the latest, most expensive, fashionable gear. Consequently I think it's the right thing to do to extend the Education Tax Refund to give this additional assistance to families in getting the kids back to school. Overwhelmingly, school students in this country wear school uniforms approved by their local schools."

This policy will apply to expenses in the tax year in 2011-12.

For more detailed information on the current Education Tax Refund, click here.

From information provided by the Prime Minister, July 13, 2010

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