VICTORIAN KIDS LEAD THE NATION ON SCHOOL CAMPS

Victoria is Australia's school camps capital and Labor is making sure it stays that way.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, has announced that families with children at public schools in Macedon have now saved $1,677,952 thanks to Labor’s Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund.

School camps are a highlight of the school year - they build resilience, independence and lifelong friendships.

But Labor knows cost of living pressures can make camps harder for some families to access, which is why we're helping.

New industry data from the Australian Camps Association’s first national camp census confirms more Victorian students went on school camp in 2024 than students from any other state or territory.

Close to 1 million Victorian students went on camp, more than Queensland and New South Wales combined.

The Victorian Budget 2025/26 invested $152.3 million to increase the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund, giving eligible students $400 a year to get the most out of school.

Since 2015, Labor has invested $532.8 million in the fund, supporting an average of more than 200,000 eligible students each year, across public and non-government schools.

This means families at Gisborne Secondary College are among the many saving across Victoria, with $421,073 now delivered in cost-of-living support.

Thanks to Labor, the Kyneton High School community has also now saved $285,881 along with Daylesford Secondary College families who have saved $274,292.

Families with a valid means-tested concession card, temporary foster parents and families with special considerations can apply for the fund.

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund is one of the many ways Labor is helping families with the cost of school.

This is alongside free dental checkups, free public transport for kids, School Breakfast Clubs, Affordable School Uniforms and Glasses for Kids.

When they were last in government, the Liberals cut cost-of-living support for families.

Only Labor will back Victorian students and families.

For further information, including eligibility criteria, go to vic.gov.au/camps-sports-and-excursions-fund

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Ben Carroll:

"School camp is often the highlight of a child's year – and Labor is making sure no Victorian student misses out."

"With families under real cost-of-living pressure, $400 per child makes a genuine difference so every Victorian kid can join in, no matter their family's circumstances."

Quote attributable to Australian Camps Association CEO, Peter McDougall:

“Camps play an integral role in shaping the development of Victorian children. More than just a fun learning environment, camps provide health and wellbeing benefits to school curriculum-based programs for all children.”

Quote attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas:

"We’re making sure students in Macedon can make lifelong memories on school camp while putting money back into their parents' pockets."

‍