Ensure you get the most back at tax time.
Eligible parents can claim the Education Tax Refund (ETF) in their individual tax returns. The ETF is a fully refundable tax offset that will be paid as part of your tax assessment. (For those not required to lodge an income tax return, a stand-alone claim form can be used).
The maximum you can claim is 50% of eligible expenses up to:
- $780 for each eligible student in primary school – that is, a refund of up to $390
- $1,558 for each eligible student in secondary school – that is, a refund of up to $779.
If the expenses exceed your refund for the financial year, you can carry forward the excess expenses from one year to the next, for one year only (as long as you are still eligible).
Eligible education expenses that you can claim include: