How does a parent or guardian become eligible for the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)?
Eligibility for the EMA is determined by the Education and Training Reform Regulations 2007 97(1) which states that: “If a person is under 16 years of age and attends a State school or registered school and the person’s parent, on the first day of the term in which the allowance is granted, is an eligible beneficiary within the meaning of the State Concession Act 2004 – the parent may apply to the Minister for an education maintenance allowance for the person.” A state school or registered school must be in Victoria. The eligible benefit within the meaning of the State Concession Act 2004 is determined and provided through Centrelink. If the applicant is in receipt of an eligible benefit from Centrelink and is a holder of either a Health Care Card or a Pensioner Concession Card, or is a Veterans Affairs (TPI) pensioner (totally and permanently incapacitated ex-service men and women) or is a foster parent, on the first day of term in which the allowance is granted then they will be elig
