South Australia’s School Card: apply for family support by 13 November

For families settling into South Australia, help with school costs can leave more room in the household budget for everyday life. Applications for the 2026 School Card scheme close on 13 November 2026, giving eligible parents time to check their circumstances and gather the right paperwork.

The scheme supports low-income families with school fees and materials and services charges. There is a dedicated application route for recent arrivals, so moving to Australia partway through the relevant tax year does not mean you should simply use the standard form.

Start with the form that fits your family

The South Australian government’s School Card page brings the online applications and printable forms together. School Card A is the usual route, but separate forms cover recent migrants, self-employment, hardship, independent students and other circumstances.

For government and Catholic schools, the published 2026 income limit is A$75,524 for a family with one dependent child, A$76,873 with two and A$78,222 with three. These standard annual figures refer to gross family income in 2024–25. Independent schools may use different limits, so ask the school which assessment applies.

• Schools in Australia: understanding the education system

A specific route for new arrivals

School Card M, for migrants and new arrivals, is intended for people who arrived in Australia or left a detention centre after 1 July 2024. Its fact sheet assesses combined gross family income over the six weeks after arrival or release against the weekly limits, rather than simply applying the standard annual-income test.

For newly arrived migrants receiving a salary or benefits, the form asks for a signed application, a visa copy, the 2026 school charges invoice and proof of other income. Families without income who are supported by sponsors have different evidence requirements, including the sponsor’s full 2024–25 tax return. Read the relevant section before gathering documents.

When preparing income information, remember that the migrant form includes overseas pensions and employment income in its assessment. Family Tax Benefit Parts A and B and child maintenance payments are among the exclusions.

The form directs applicants to send it and supporting evidence to the School Card Section. It also says self-employed applicants should complete Form B. If your circumstances overlap, call the scheme team rather than guessing which route to use.

Make the application easier to process

The 2026 standard Form A asks parents to complete every section and match their details to Centrelink records. It requires a separate application for each school their children attend, submitted to that school. Its instructions differ from Form M’s direct submission route, making the directions on your chosen form important.

The Department for Education’s guidance, updated on 23 October, confirms that preschool children are not covered. Non-government schools decide whether to use the assessment process to offer fee relief. Ask your school what assistance an approved application would provide.

Ask about learning devices too

School Card can also help with access to technology. Under the department’s device guidance updated in August, all secondary School Card students must have access to a device at no cost to their family by the end of 2026. In primary schools, this applies where the school has decided each student in a year level should have their own device.

Your school can explain its arrangements. Families cannot be required to pay for eligible devices, although schools may request a small voluntary contribution.

For help with the application, speak to your school or call the School Card Section on 1800 672 758. Starting now leaves time to clarify the form and supporting documents before 13 November.

Photo: Nenad Stojković / Shixart1985, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (cropped)

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