More than $4 million has been allocated to Ballarat students from the Victorian Government’s Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund – making sure disadvantaged students don’t miss out on vital activities with their peers.

Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison, said $4.4 million in payments have been made to students in the City of Ballarat since 2015 from the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund.

Since 2015, a total of 1,018,213 payment have been allocated across the state to families experiencing disadvantage, ensuring students can attend extra-curricular activities such as school trips, swimming and sport programs, outdoor education programs, excursions and incursions.

Ms Addison said the Labor Government wants to ensure that every Victorian child has access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom.

“For students across Ballarat, these payments will mean that no student misses out on joining their classmates in important and fun educational activities,” Ms Addison said.

“Since 2015, we’ve distributed more than $4.4 million in payments to families and schools in Ballarat to ensure that every student, regardless of where they live or their family’s situation, can participate in fun, educational activities that enrich their learning and school experience,” she said.

In 2018, a record 222,000 students – or more than one in four government school students – received the CSEF, ensuring that no child misses out on joining their classmates in important and fun educational activities.

Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents, with a child enrolled in a Victorian government or non-government school, are eligible to apply.

Payments of $125 per year for eligible primary school students, and $225 per year for eligible secondary school students are made directly to the school and are tied to the student.