Wedderburn College Newsletter

From our 

Business Manager 

Ms Marie Marsh

CSEF – Camps, Schools & Excursions Funds

 

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides payments for eligible students to attend activities like:

  • school camps or trips
  • swimming and school-organised sport programs
  • outdoor education programs
  • excursions and incursions.

How To Apply 

New applicants should contact the school office to obtain a CSEF application form or download from www.education.vic.gov.au/csef 

If you applied for the CSEF at your child's school previously, you do not need to complete an application form in 2023 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances. 

You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred: 

  • new student enrolments; your child has started or changed schools in 2023 or you did not apply in 2022. 
  • changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing at the school in 2023. 

A flyer is found at the pages following of the newsletter for more information about CSEF or check with the school office if you are unsure. 

 

Conveyance Allowance 

Families in rural and regional Victoria can get help with the cost of transporting their children to their nearest school or campus. This is known as the conveyance allowance. 

The conveyance allowance is available to students travelling by: 

  • public transport 
  • private car 
  • private bus 

or to students whose nearest school is not serviced by a free school bus. 

The conveyance allowance is a contribution towards transport costs and is not intended to cover the full cost of transporting children to and from school. 

 

Who can apply? 

The conveyance allowance is available to families who meet certain criteria. 

Students attending a school must: 

  • attend their nearest government or non-government school/campus appropriate to their year level at which admission is permissible 
  • be enrolled at a school/campus outside Melbourne’s metropolitan conveyance boundary 
  • reside 4.8km or more by the shortest practicable route from that school/campus attended 
  • be of school age (5 to 18 years old at time of application) and reside in Victoria. Applications for Centrepay

Centrepay deductions (For families who receive Centrelink Payment) 

 

What is Centrepay? 

Centrepay is a free direct bill-paying service offered to customers receiving Centrelink payments. Through Centrepay you can choose to pay excursions, camps, etc. by having a regular amount deducted from your payments and transferred electronically to Wedderburn College. 

 

Will it cost you anything? 

There is no charge for this service. 

Is there a minimum payment amount? 

Yes, the minimum payment amount for deductions for Wedderburn College is $10 per fortnight. 

 

How do you apply for Centrepay? 

Please contact Ms Marie Marsh, Business Manager for processing. 

 

What information do you need to provide when applying for Centrepay? 

You will need: 

  • your Customer Reference Number (CRN)
  • the amount you want deducted from your payments each fortnight
  • the payments from which you want the deductions to be paid
  • the pay day that you want the deduction to start.

Centrelink will send you a letter confirming the details of your deductions. Centrelink will pay your deductions to Wedderburn College on the same day you receive your Centrelink payments. 

 

Can you change your Centrepay deductions? 

Yes, you can change, suspend or cancel your deductions at any time online at:

humanservices.gov.au/onlineservices, by calling Centrelink or completing a Centrepay deduction form at a Centrelink Service Centre. Centrelink will send you a letter and advise Wedderburn College of your changes, suspensions or cancellation. 

 

What changes can you make to your Centrepay deductions? 

You can make the following changes to your deductions: 

  • suspend your deduction amount temporarily for a maximum period of 13 weeks
  • request a future end date when deductions will automatically cease
  • nominate or change a target amount so deductions will automatically stop when that target amount has been reached
  • change the deduction amount you are paying to a new amount or change the amount temporarily
  • cancel your deduction at any time.

 

What happens if there is a change to your payments? 

You may not always be able to deduct the full amount requested if your Centrelink payment: 

  • is reduced because of income or earnings
  • has been reduced or suspended because of a non-payment period, or
  • is reduced because other deductions have been made, such as overpayments - leaving you with an insufficient amount left for your Centrepay deduction.

Marie Marsh

Business Manager