In an effort to ease cost-of-living pressures on families, the State Government has made $2.4 million available to more than 560 WA public schools to help reduce camp costs.
Subject to booking availability, these schools will be eligible to apply for cost discounts on camps run by the Department of Local Government, Sport (DLGSC), and Cultural Industries or the Department of Education (DoE).
Of the funding, $1.5 million has been allocated to the DLGSC to support its school camp subsidy program, which manages five recreation camps, including four in Perth and one in Albany.
An additional $896,000 will be allocated for a similar fee waiver program for DoE camps.
This includes the Broome Camp School and the leased campsites operated by Fairbridge Western Australia Inc. in Point Peron, Geraldton, Dampier, Kalgoorlie, and Pemberton.
Schools with the lowest Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) scores will qualify for the camp discount, which will also be applied to eligible schools that have already made their bookings.
Eligible schools will proceed with bookings as usual, and the discount will be applied at the conclusion of the camp, reducing costs for families, including overnight accommodation and program fees.
Premier Roger Cook said school camps are a key moment in students’ lives, allowing them to step outside their usual environment, connect with nature, and embrace new challenges, which are essential for their development and are part of the reason why the Government is offering support.
“We know school camps provide the kinds of experiences that often shape young people’s lives, which is why we are providing $2.4 million to reduce the cost for eligible schools and ensure more students get the opportunity to attend their camp and build lasting memories,” he said.
“Raising my kids in Kwinana, I know it’s those extra costs during the school years that can really have an impact – and this targeted support is just the latest initiative being delivered by my Government to help alleviate some of those pressures.”
