Back to School (BTS)
NOTE: 2024 was the final round of the Back to School program. The program has now ended.
Back to School (BTS) was a national program that helped remote and rural children and young people access quality educational experiences. Since 2005, this practical, positive program helped thousands of students to engage in learning and strengthen their educational outcomes.
Working through local community organisations who acted as Back to School partners, the program provided $50 digital gift vouchers to students in need redeemable at Target, Kmart or local retailers. The vouchers were used for items such as school uniforms, clothing, shoes, school bags and stationery – or anything that helped students feel ready to learn.
I have a question, who can I talk to?
Jeanice Henderson
info@frrr.org.au
1800 170 020
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Funding Alternatives
Community groups seeking support for education-related initiatives may like to consider applying through the Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Small & Vital stream. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and assessed quarterly.
For further information, please see Strengthening Rural Communities. If you want to explore other grant options, please go to Find Funding Now.
Recipient Announcements
What is the Back to School program?
Back to School is a national program that helps disadvantaged remote, rural and regional students to engage in learning and strengthen their educational outcomes.
Working through local community organisations, Back to School is a practical, positive program that provides digital gift vouchers to students in need from retailers such as Target / Kmart or local retailers. These general vouchers are redeemable for items such uniforms, shoes and school supplies, including technology to support learning.
Who can apply?
Community Foundations and not-for-profit organisations working in remote, rural and regional areas that:
- Have strong connections with schools and/or families with children attending remote, rural or regional primary or secondary schools; and
- Have the capacity to administer the program.
Community Foundations:
- Priority will be given to Community Foundations.
- Where there is no Community Foundation, FRRR will accept applications from eligible not-for-profit community-based organisations.
Not-for-profit, incorporated community organisations:
Not-for-profit organisations that have strong connections to families in need through their welfare/ financial/ counselling/ support programs or youth programs. This includes:
- Neighbourhood Houses;
- Aboriginal Services;
- Community Support Centres;
- Family Support Services.
If an eligible Community Foundation already exists and has also applied to this program, it is likely that applications from a community organisation in the same area/ community will be assigned a lower priority. FRRR encourages community organisations to instead seek support from their local Community Foundation.
Please note: FRRR is unable to distribute vouchers directly to families.
How do I know if there is a Community Foundation in my area?
- Search Community Foundations Australia’s listing of Community Foundations;
- Community Foundations Australia also provides information on Community Foundations in general.
Information for Schools
- Schools can apply through their appropriate not-for-profit organisation or through the P&C / School Council.
- Schools can apply for vouchers for the school uniform shop.
- FRRR prefers to receive one application per community/ region in order to support a range of families across each community (rather than the families of only one school), so if you can combine an application with other organisations in your area, you are likely to have a higher chance of success.
Can individuals apply?
No, unfortunately not. The program is only open to organisations.
Can Kindergartens / Preschools / TAFEs apply?
No. This program is focused on primary and secondary schools only.
How does the program work?
The program will look a little different in each community – generally the application stage involves applicants:
- Identifying the level of need in the community;
- Determining how many vouchers are required;
- Considering which stores would provide the best range/ outcomes for families in need in your community, and if nominating locally-owned / managed stores, obtaining their permission to be involved in the program;
- Determining how your organisation will administer the digital vouchers to those most in need;
- Completing the relevant online application form and submitting to FRRR.
FRRR will then conduct due diligence on all applications received and determine successful applicants based on available funding and level of need. Many may not get the number of vouchers requested due to the level of demand.
If successful:
- Your organisation is required to enter into a grant agreement with FRRR;
- Vouchers are distributed from FRRR in late January / early February;
- Vouchers are distributed by your organisation across the community to families in need of support;
- The voucher recipient redeems the vouchers for school-based items;
- Your organisation gathers evidence of impact and outcomes for families and students in your area (noting that FRRR does not require personal details to be collected);
- An acquittal report to FRRR is required on or before the end of May.
Voucher information
What is the value of each voucher?
- $50 General Voucher;
- $100 Student Technology Voucher.
What format are the vouchers?
The vouchers will be eGift cards (Target, Kmart and Student Technology) and soft copy vouchers for local businesses. FRRR no longer sends out hardcopy / physical gift cards/ vouchers. Vouchers will be made available for download through a secure site.
Which businesses are the vouchers for?
You can apply for any of the vouchers below:
$50 General Vouchers:
- Target
Target eGift cards can either be presented in store or redeemed online for general school uniform items, shoes, socks, underwear and other items required for children to participate in school.
Note: There is generally a postage charge associated with ordering online. - Kmart
Kmart eGift cards can only be presented in store for general school uniform items, shoes, socks, underwear and other items required for children to participate in school.
Note: Kmart cards CANNOT be redeemed online. - Local business
Gift vouchers can be requested from local businesses such as uniform suppliers, shoe retailers or textbook suppliers.
Applicants requesting vouchers from local businesses will be required to speak with the local business/es, before applying, to communicate the Back to School program objectives, collect required contact information and to ensure that the business agrees to be part of the program. There is a separate Local Business form to download, complete and upload to your application prior to submission (see ‘How do I nominate a Local Business?’ below).
Organisations working directly with School Councils / P&C Committees can request vouchers to be redeemed at School Uniform Shops.
$100 Student Technology Vouchers:
- These vouchers are to be used by students and their families to purchase technology items such as tablets / iPads, calculators, IT peripherals (headphones, keyboards, mouse, printers, portable drives, USB hubs), or internet data for completion / submission of school work.
- These vouchers will be redeemable online and in store at businesses such as JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys, Big W and Officeworks.
Can I get vouchers for other places like Big W or Officeworks?
Yes, but only to purchase student technology items such as calculators, iPads / tablets, IT equipment required for school / home study.
Can I get vouchers for businesses that don’t have a digital option?
No.
Can I request a mix of Target / Kmart / local business vouchers and Student Technology vouchers?
Yes, there are sections for each on the application form.
What can the vouchers be used for?
- General Vouchers are to be used by students and their families to purchase essential school items such as uniforms, clothing, shoes, school bags and school stationery items.
- Student Technology Vouchers are to be used by students and their families to purchase technology items such as tablets / iPads, calculators, IT peripherals (headphones, keyboards, mouse, printers, portable drives, USB hubs), or internet data for completion/ submission of school work.
- Vouchers must not be used for the purchase of alcohol, tobacco, food/ groceries, nor be given out as rewards, raffle prizes, used by schools to make bulk purchases, nor used to purchase goods for resale to parents.
- Vouchers must be treated as cash, as they cannot be replaced if lost.
How many vouchers can I ask for?
- The number of vouchers you request should be based on your local community/ school need, and your capacity to administer the program.
- The program has limited funding.
- Requests generally range from five vouchers for small volunteer organisations to 800 vouchers for large organisations with structured administrative and reporting processes.
How do I work out how many vouchers to request?
You will need to work out and demonstrate the following on the application form:
- What approach and criteria you are going to use to assess the level of need in your community; and
- How you will determine who you will give the vouchers to.
Data to demonstrate need could include:
- ICSEA value of school – see My School website;
- family income data;
- classroom teacher knowledge and observation;
- social-economic data such as SEIFA, or other ABS locality data and local government data;
- Service provider client assessment tool for current assistance programs.
The number of families experiencing financial stress due to drought or recent natural disasters, and the economic impacts of COVID-19 will also be taken into consideration.
Local Business vouchers
A local business includes local uniform supplier, school based uniform shop, school book / stationery supplier or shoe shop. It does not include larger chain stores such as Big W or Officeworks. You can nominate up to eight (8) local businesses.
If you wish to order vouchers from local businesses, you MUST contact them first to:
- Let them know you are applying to FRRR for vouchers through the Back to School program,
- Communicate the program objectives (see Back to School Program Guidelines);
- Collect required business contact information; and
- Ensure that the business agrees to be part of the program.
If successful, you will be responsible for collecting and collating additional details from the local business so that we can process payment before vouchers are issued to your organisation.
How do I nominate a Local Business?
- You need to complete the Local Business From which gives us details of which local businesses you wish to have vouchers from.
- There is a link to the Local Business Form embedded in the application form, under the section for Local Business voucher requests – see sample from the application form.
- When you click on the link, a tailored Excel spreadsheet will open.
- Complete ALL the details collected during your conversation with local businesses. NOTE: Accuracy of this information is vital as errors or omissions will lead to a delay in assessing your application.
- Upload the completed form in the attachment section of the application form.
I can’t upload the Local Business Form – what do I do?
Call 1800 170 020 so we can trouble shoot with you to get it uploaded to your application.
If we are unable to resolve the issue, you will be asked to do the following:
- Make a note in the online application form to let us know that you will be sending it through separately.
- Submit your online application and make a note of the special number assigned to your application, contained in the automated email you receive when your application is received in the system.
- Send the completed Local Business Form to info@frrr.org.au with the organisation name, application number and ‘BTS24’ in the subject line.
Distribution of the Vouchers
How will I receive the vouchers?
When the vouchers are ready, you will be notified by email and given access to a secure site to download your allocation. Each file is an individually swing tag that contains the link to the eGift card. Detailed instructions will be provided prior to the download process.
Local business e-Vouchers do not contain additional links.
How do I distribute the electronic vouchers?
- Vouchers can either be sent to the school, directly to families via email, or can be printed out for distribution.
- Target and Kmart eGift cards are sent as a link contained within an individually numbered, electronic ‘swing tag’. This ‘swing tag’ has information about the FRRR Back to School program, acknowledges the program, and an individual number to help you track the distribution of the vouchers. The actual eGift card / voucher is accessed when the unique link in the centre of the ‘swing tag’ is opened. If printing YOU MUST PRINT BOTH SECTIONS, staple and distribute as a pair.
- Local business e-vouchers have information about the FRRR Back to School program, acknowledge the program donors, are individually numbered, and contain the information of the local business where they can be redeemed. These vouchers will need to be printed to be presented in-store.
- Each file should only be printed once to avoid duplication of single-use vouchers that will not be valid after they are used the first time.
- We strongly suggest you stamp the back of the printout in coloured ink.
When do I have to distribute the vouchers by?
- It is expected that you will distribute the vouchers by the end of Term 1 to help families and students with the costs associated with the start of the school year.
- It is up to the parents / recipient to redeem the vouchers when required; they may be redeemed for winter uniforms later in the year if that is their need.
- As a distributing organisation, you can keep a few vouchers aside to distribute later:
- change of season to help families defray costs associated with winter uniforms; or
- to support families in need who are new to the school.
Are there restrictions on what the vouchers can be used for?
Yes! The vouchers are only redeemable for items required to return to and participate in school.
For the General Vouchers, this includes school uniforms (or clothing in school colours), shoes, socks, clothing required for school-based activities, school bags, school books and school stationery.
The Student Technology Vouchers are to be used by students and their families to purchase technology items such as tablets / iPads, calculators, IT peripherals (headphones, keyboards, mouse, printers, portable drives, USB hubs), or internet data for completion/ submission of school work.
Vouchers cannot be used for:
- Rewards, incentives or raffle prizes;
- Bulk purchase of items for school use;
- Bulk purchase of items to give to or resell to parents at a reduced rate;
- Purchase of unrelated personal items, alcohol or tobacco, food or grocery items.
Why can’t we use the vouchers to purchase bulk clothing or shoes for students?
One of the strengths of the program is spender discretion – the ability for families to purchase what they need; not what others think they might need. If there are local, extenuating circumstances, please get in touch with the FRRR Back to School team on 1800 170 020 to discuss.
Why can’t we use the vouchers to purchase resources for the school?
The program is designed to benefit and support students and their families, not the school.
Do I have to give you the name of the families / students getting the vouchers?
No. One of the strengths of the Back to School program is that it is discrete. We do not wish to know the names of the students or families who have benefited.
How many vouchers can I give each family?
- FRRR’s expectation is that only one $50 voucher or one $100 voucher is issued per student.
- A disadvantaged family can receive a voucher for each student at school – for example a family with three students can receive 3 x $50 vouchers or 3 x $100 vouchers, or a mix that suites the needs of the family.
How long are the vouchers valid for?
By default, Target and Kmart vouchers are valid for four (4) years. Local business and all other retailer vouchers are valid for three (3) years from when they are issued.
What if we lose a voucher – can it be replaced?
No. Your organisation will be expected to electronically store the vouchers securely, print them only once, and treat them like cash. If they are lost, they cannot be replaced.
Administration of the program by the applicant
What is involved in the administration of the program?
If successful, your organisation will enter into a Grant Agreement with FRRR.
You will be expected to:
- Be contactable during business hours in November – February;
- Be confident in using electronic platforms and have the appropriate IT infrastructure and procedures in place to store the electronic vouchers safely and distribute them efficiently;
- Distribute the e-Vouchers either through schools or directly into the community through your programs / contacts, to those families most in need of assistance;
- Cover the cost of administering the program, including any printing costs;
- Track the redemption of any local business vouchers;
- Ensure that the families receiving the vouchers understand the purpose of the Back to School program;
- Acknowledge FRRR in providing the Back to School program in any media or program related communication; and
- Provide a detailed report to FRRR on the distribution of the vouchers, using the reporting template provided.
Is there any financial assistance to administer the program?
No. Distributing organisations must take on any costs associated with the administration of the program in their area. FRRR covers the cost of administrating the Back to School program at our end, ensuring that 100% of all donations to the program go to directly assist students in need, to ensure an equitable start to the school year.
If you have significant issues accessing a stable internet connection, please contact our team to discuss an alternative way of applying:
Ph: 1800 170 020 or Email: info@frrr.org.au
Inspiration – Past Projects
Read more about the impact that these vouchers have had.
Back to School Program – making a real difference in rural Australia
A $50 voucher goes a long way for families that are struggling to put food on the table, let alone buy new school clothes and stationery. The BTS voucher distribution program continues to have a positive and significant impact for families in need in Deniliquin.
Back to School vouchers help farming families
FRRR’s $50 Back to School vouchers are making a big difference to farming families that have been impacted by consecutive natural disasters. For one family of four, it meant sending them to school with all they needed to start the school year.
Buderim Foundation distributes Back to school vouchers
Watch the video to hear what the Buderim Foundation and local school chaplain have to say about how Back to School vouchers will assist local school children and their families.
