Jeremy Rockliff,Minister for Education and Training
The Tasmanian Government is committed to supporting families as we recover from the impacts of COVID-19, which is why we are now waiving all Tasmanian Government School debts for 2019 and prior.
We know this will further reduce financial pressures for Tasmanian families, parents and carers at a time when they need it most.
These historical debts from 2019 and prior, total approximately $2.8 million and cover nearly 13,000 outstanding individual debts.
The Government hopes that by clearing these outstanding debts, we are providing Tasmanians with an extra element of support in resetting their financial plans as we recover together.
This announcement is in addition to us taking action to waive all 2020 Tasmanian School Government levies and refund amounts already paid earlier this year.
Approximately $9 million was refunded to around 21,000 parents as a result, and a further $5 million of outstanding amounts waived. Schools are being reimbursed for this impact so they have the same level of funding available to meet student needs.
It is important to note there are some limited non-levy charges, for example where schools directly supply uniforms for students, which will continue to be charged during the course of 2020.
As part of the Tasmanian Government’s unprecedented social and economic package, more than $17 million in school levies and related charges will now have either been reimbursed or waived.
