Programs

Saver Plus is a 10 month financial education and matched savings program that assists families to gain financial skills, establish a savings goal, and develop long-term saving habits. As an incentive, participants can receive up to $500 in matched savings to put towards a range of education costs.

You may be eligible if you:

- Are 18 years or over

- Have a child at school or attend vocational education yourself

- Have a regular income from paid employment (you or your partner)

- Have a current Health Care or Pension Card

- Receive an eligible Centrelink payment

The Smith Family manages the program in South Australia with Saver Plus workers in the following areas: Adelaide's North and North East (including Tea Tree Gully, Campbelltown District, Gawler, Adelaide Hills and Barossa), Port Adelaide, Enfield, Charles Sturt, Salisbury, Playford and South Adelaide. Over 32,000 people have previously participated in the program throughout Australia.

You can visit the website for further information, or call / sms your name and postcode to 1300 610 355.

Training that works for you. If you want to study a course that will give you skills employers need, you may be able to pay reduced course fees.

To check your eligibility, please visit the website link provided or call 1800 673 097.

Schools offer options including cash, credit card, EFTPOS and online payments. Payment options can also include instalments as arranged with the school. Contact your child's school directly to discuss.

The School Card scheme offers financial assistance with school fees (materials and services charges) for students attending government schools in that year.

If your school fees (materials and services charges) are less than the School Card subsidy, the scheme can also help with other educational expenses such as uniform, camp and excursion costs.

For students at non-government schools, parents are encouraged to speak directly to the school about financial assistance.

Applications can be submitted online via the link below or you can request a form from your school

There are different forms depending on your circumstances.

Education expenses are a major consideration for families. Some families struggle to pay for basic education needs such as school fees, stationary items and school books.

Technology has become an important part of everyday learning at school and the cost of purchasing devices and access to the internet at home can put disadvantaged families even further behind.

The Smith family offers many ways to help disadvantaged children. From assisting with purchasing of school education stationary and technology to programs that help to raise their reading and writing skills.

Their Tech Pack program also provides affordable, refurbished, internet-ready computers and internet access to disadvantaged families around Australia. Participating families receive eight hours of skills training with an accredited trainer and 12 months of free internet access and technical support to ensure they can get the most out of using the equipment.

There is no strict locational boundaries but the focus is more on recognised hardship areas and where there is a current partnership with the community or school.

Contact The Smith Family to discuss further

The Sports Vouchers program provides an opportunity for primary school aged children from Reception to Year 7 to receive up to a $100 discount on sports or dance membership/registration fees. The purpose is to increase the number of children playing organised sport or participating in dance activities by reducing cost as a barrier.

From 1 January 2019 the vouchers have been increased from $50 to $100 and all forms of dance are now eligible.

Who is eligible for the program?

All South Australian primary school aged children, meaning if the child is attending or is eligible to attend primary school (Reception to Year 7, even if Year 7 is based at a high school).

One voucher for every primary school aged child per calendar year. Please speak with your Sporting Club or download a voucher from the links provided

The Child Care Subsidy is the main way the government assists families with their child care fees. The Child Care Subsidy replaces the Child Care Benefit (CCB) and Child Care Rebate (CCR) and is a simpler system that is generally paid directly to the child care providers.

Some basic requirements must be satisfied for an individual to be eligible to receive Child Care Subsidy. Please refer to the website for more information regarding eligibility.