From uniforms to sport equipment to books - we know that families are facing rising costs for their school aged kid's essential items.

The Cook Labor Government will provide an additional $185 for eligible secondary school students to assist with school uniform costs, increasing cost of living support for school students from low-income families to $535 a year.

Eligible families will receive a $300 clothing allowance in both 2024 and 2025 - on top of the $235 Education Program Allowance which provides additional funding to the child's school to support their education.

This boost to the School Clothing Allowance provides an additional $185 top-up payment in 2024 to Western Australian families who hold an eligible concession card and already received the $115 payment earlier in the year. A further $300 will be provided at the start of 2025 to Western Australian families who apply, to assist them with school uniform costs.

This follows the WA Student Assistance Payment, which has made available $250 for all Western Australian secondary students, and $150 for all primary students and kindergarteners.

More information on the clothing allowance scheme and eligibility can be found here.