As Perth children return for term 2 at school, the State Government has rolled out student assistant payments to relieve cost-of-living pressures on WA families.

Totalling $75m, these payments allow parents to claim up to $250 for high school students and $150 for primary-aged children and is intended to support parents with the cost of school supplies, equipment, and clothing.

The previous scheme last year, was marred by technical and communication issues, with 140,000 families missing out on the payment, according to ABC News.

In 2024, when these student assistant payments were first made available, the Shadow education minister Peter Rundle criticised the process, referring to it as “burdensome”.

“It’s disappointing the [Labor] Minister has not publicised…alternative claim methods…as this may have reduced angst for families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis,” Mr Rundle said.

Some of WA’s most vulnerable families in rural Australia said they were “unaware” the previous scheme existed.

WA Premier Roger Cook says the government has made amends this time round.

Families can now apply through the website or using paper forms, Mr Cook said.

The State Parliament earlier this month, passed an extra $1.9b beyond the state budget – which was handed down on the March 25 – to fund the subsidy scheme, alongside other payments.

But National’s leader Shane Love, says the payments are “irresponsible”.

“That is not responsible government; that is flawed government, and we will be holding it to account this year,” Mr Love said.

The payments come on the eve of a May 3 Federal election, where Albanese is fighting for his third term.

Murdoch University politics lecturer Dr Jacob Broom said that with the cost-of-living pressures on the rise, this assistant payment could serve as a “vote-winner” for the Labor party.

“The cost of things are going up and families aren’t able to afford things, so the government is happy to cover some portion of schooling costs for families,” Dr Broom said.

The Quenda applied for the funding in the newsroom on Tuesday and found it took less than 5 minutes to lodge a claim for two children.

This process was performed with all online services already set up.