Queensland families are receiving significant financial relief as children settle into the new academic year, with the state government introducing a fresh initiative to ease household budgets. The new Back to School Boost provides a $100 payment for every primary school student from Prep to Year 6, offering targeted support during a period of increased expenses.
How the Back to School Boost Works
This boost is not distributed as a cash payment or voucher to parents and carers. Instead, it is applied directly through schools to reduce education-related costs charged to families. For students attending Queensland state schools, the $100 will be credited to the child's school account, giving families flexibility in how it is utilised.
Permitted Uses of the Funds
Families can choose to apply the boost towards various school expenses, but it must be used for charges billed directly by the educational institution. Eligible uses include:
- Offsetting fees for school-organised camps, excursions, and incursions
- Participating in extracurricular activities offered by the school
- Purchasing stationery through the school
- Acquiring school uniforms
- Enrolling in excellence programs provided by the school
- Buying laptops and other educational equipment through school channels
Important restrictions apply: parents cannot use the boost to purchase items from external or third-party suppliers, nor can they receive reimbursement for independent purchases made outside school systems.
Eligibility Requirements
All primary students in Queensland qualify for this support, creating broad accessibility across the education sector. Eligibility extends to:
- Students attending state schools
- Children enrolled in special schools and schools of distance education
- Students at non-state schools, including Catholic and independent institutions
- Children participating in home education programs
For home-educated children, payment details will be managed through the Department of Education in alignment with existing textbook and resource allowance arrangements. The non-state school sector will administer the $100 boost for their students, determining how it can be applied to school fees or other related costs.
Payment Details and Pro-rata Arrangements
The Back to School Boost is paid once annually for each eligible student. Children who transfer to another Queensland school during the year will not receive a second payment. Students enrolling in a Queensland state school for the first time after Term 1 will receive pro-rata amounts:
- Term 2 starters: $75 credit
- Term 3 starters: $50 credit
- Term 4 starters: $25 credit
Eligibility is determined by school location rather than student residence. This means children living in New South Wales but attending a Queensland school will qualify, while Queensland residents with children attending school in another state will not receive the boost.
Refund Procedures and Existing Support
When a student leaves a state school or graduates at the end of Year 6, parents and carers can request a refund of any remaining balance in the child's school account. State schools will advise families of remaining funds as part of the departure process. Refund arrangements for students leaving non-state schools mid-year will be determined by individual institutions.
Separate Allowance for Older Students
The Back to School Boost operates independently from existing support for secondary students. Those in Years 7 to 12 enrolled in Queensland state or non-state schools continue to receive the Textbook and Resource Allowance (TRA). For 2026, TRA rates are set at $164 annually for Years 7 to 10 and $357 annually for Years 11 and 12.
Queensland's education landscape includes 1,266 state schools welcoming approximately 568,000 students this year, comprising 43,000 Prep students, 280,000 other primary students, and 245,000 secondary students. Additionally, about 327,000 students are commencing in Catholic and independent schools, according to the Crisafulli Government.
