VIC Conveyance allowance question for travel to/from school

Does anyone know about conveyance allowance from non govt school???

I hope someone can help me with this one.
DS will most likely be going to an independant school next year. The school runs its own extensive bus service at a significatn discount because the conyeyance allowance we'd get from the govt goes to them (which is fine)

But its the eligibility for conveyance allowance that Im having trouble working out.

Here are the criteria:

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Conveyance Allowance

To Be eligible to receive a Conveyance Allowance, a
student must:

- be aged between five years (by 30 April in the year that the allowance is sought) and twenty-one years

- live more than 4.8km by the shortest practicable route from the nearest school attended, or 4.8 km
radial distance from the nearest school attended in the cities of Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong

- be enrolled at the nearest government primary or secondary school, or at the nearest appropriate
registered non-government school having regard to the following factors:

a) A student is ineligible for a conveyance allowance if there is a nearer denominational school of the same denomination as the school attended. Multi/inter denominational schools established under the direct auspices of a group of churches will be considered as denominational schools of each church

b) A student cannot claim a conveyance allowance if there is a nearer multi/inter denominational or

Christian school than the multi/inter denominational or Christian school attended

c) A student cannot claim a conveyance allowance if there is a nearer non-denominational school than the non-denominational school attended.

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So Im really confused.

The school Im looking at is by no means the closest non govt school, but all the others that are closer are Catholic (though some describe themselves as non-denominational, they are Catholic schools and run Catholic RE curriculum, or Lutheran.

The school we are looking at is listed as 'Ecumenical Christian'

So Im not sure whether the CAtholic and Lutheran school being closer will make us ineligible for conveyance allowance. I dont think they should be able to becuase they should come under clause a) above and be considered denominational to the Catholic and Lutheran Church respectively.

However I know some Catholic schools list themselves as "Catholic non denominational', and Im worried that in that case it would make us ineligible for conveyance allowance.

Its a huge difference and may mean we cant send him to this school if we dont qualify.

The school seemed to think it wouldnt be an issue, thought they did not direclty say so - but that was before the Catholic primary school opened 5 streets away :(

Are the Catholic schools around you listed as Non Denominational?

A friend of mine gets the conveyancing allowance for a Christian school when there are 2 other Catholic schools closer to where she lives.

Im not sure, it seems most do list as non-denominational even when they are obviously not.

I'm going to angry if they can list as non-denominational and teach a specific RE, where this school doesnt teach an RE program at all.

is this only in your area Ray?
DS is going to a school 20 minutes away, even though the govt school is in the next street. It's not a religious reason he isn't going to the govt school.....it would be nice to get some help for the travel it's going to put massive dents in the budget getting him there.

I'd call them directly 1800 809 834, it looks a bit tangled.

Hmmm, Well I would think that you WOULD be eligible......but is sure is confusing!

How much is the allowance??? I have been wondering this. Do they have to catch a bus, or can it go towards your own fuel costs in the car?

SO confusing!

Lulu - from the DHS website:

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The education conveyance allowance is provided by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to assist eligible students with the cost of travel to school. The allowance is available to eligible students attending government and non-government schools in all country and outer metropolitan areas. It applies to travel by public transport, private bus and private car. The Allowance is available to students aged between 5 and 21 who live more than 4.8km by the shortest practicable route from the nearest school and do not have access to the free school bus service.

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if the school he is going to is non-govt then it doesnt matter whether there are govt school closer, only independant schools of the same type.

FM - I think its around 700? My expereince 9 my parents go it for us) it was paid deirectly to the school but that was becuase they had a private bus service.
ETA:

Schedule of rates:
Distance Kms Amounts per annum
4.8–10 $410
>10–15 $513
>15–20 $615
>20–25 $718
>25–30 $820
>30–35 $923
>35 $1025

I think I might just call the school myself. Its too confusing.

So the local schools list as 'Independant, non denominational Christian', or Independant Catholic.

The one I like is listed as either "ecumenical' or 'independant non denominational'

Its the only school anywhere near us that is private but has a non-religious curriculum.